I'm leaving my millions to a dog shelter; my kids aren't happy about it

"I love my children, and they're very annoyed, but my dogs deserve it more."

One of my lovely, neighbours recently revealed to me she's leaving her entire fortune to her dogs' future care, and her favourite animal shelter.

As you can imagine, her adult-teen kids are happy about it - but I totally get her reasons.

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Churchill is my sister reincarnated, but I love him more than my own son because HE NEVER TELLS ME TO "CHILL, BRUH". Source: Supplied

RELATED: Yes, dog-shaming is an actual thing

"I inherited a dog from my sister"

The story begins when my sister ordered a Moodle (Maltese terrier cross toy poodle) puppy from a legit breeder... and then died suddenly, in a last act of sisterly-annoyingness.

The breeder then offered me the pup, and being the overly-sentimental being that I am, I saw it as a sign... that the yet-to-be-born dog was my sister reincarnated. Because of course, he was; little Churchill ended up being the joy and love we didn't know we needed.

Full confession: sometimes I think I enjoy his company more than my teen son, who's a delight most of the time, and a complete shit at other times, as teens are.

And this is how I came to know my neighbour with her little Scottish terriers - and understand how unique a dog bond can be.

One day, I was telling my neighbour about how my family and friends poke fun at me about how attached I am to Churchill; he sleeps in my bed, I only leave the house without him if I absolutely must, I have written songs for him, and I speak to him in a baby voice.

It is nauseating to others, but I think it's hilarious, and I love the little man.

But my neighbour grew very stern when she heard of all of this.

"You are meant to be"

My neighbour was not happy to hear about people's love-shaming.

"There's a reason you were brought together with this dog," she told me.

"I let my dogs do all those things and you know what? It's no one's business. Mine also sleep in the bed with me."

My neighbour explained she also got her pups when her husband died and they have been an endless delight, comfort and purpose for her.

"In many ways they mean more than my kids do right now - they are much better company most of the time," she confessed.

"In fact, the kids are getting the house when I die, but all of my money is going to care for these dogs and to the animal shelter where I got them.

"I love my kids, but I think the dogs bring me more joy these days."

Two years ago, PC (pre-Churchill) I would have thought she was nuts. I would have been outraged for her 'kids'. But now I know; the loyalty, the unconditional love, the lack of dissenting opinions and unsolicited advice.

I get exactly what she means. The dogs were the next major family event after a traumatic one; they changed our worlds and us as people.

Our kids will be fine and we will have done our jobs with them. We need to look after the other vitally important family members; our pets.

Originally published as I'm leaving my millions to a dog shelter; my kids aren't happy about it