Susie the Staffordshire bull terrier has abandoned her dog's life after being left £20,000 by her late owner.

Ruby Hughes, an 85-year-old widow, of Yarnton, near Kidlington, had a particular love of the breed, and bequeathed five per cent of her £400,000 estate to the 10-year-old pet to ensure she enjoys the rest of her life.

Ruby Hughes with Susie She also left about £90,000 to the Friends of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, a rescue and re-homing organisation she set up with Susie's new owner, William Walker.

Susie's money will be invested in stocks and bonds -- instead of sticks and bones -- so the animal can live off the interest.

Susie was well known in Yarnton as a pampered pooch, and was often seen sitting on board arthritis-sufferer Ms Hughes's mobility scooter.

The three-wheeler was even customised, with the handlebar basket removed, to make sure the coddled canine had the perfect view during their journeys together.

Mr Walker of Radley, near Abingdon, who helped set up FoSBT, said the cash would be used to pay for her upkeep and vet bills.

He said: "She's having five-star treatment anyway. She's used to living without other dogs and getting her own way, but last night she was sat on a sofa with four other dogs watching television!"

Former hospital laboratory worker Ms Hughes died at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, in December.

FoSBT started off in Ms Hughes's garage in 1992, and is now a full-blown canine centre with two acres of rented training ground at Weston-on-the-Green.

The widow left another 20 per cent to charities for deaf children and the rest to her family.

Mr Walker hopes his friend's legacy will help develop their dream of opening a specialist canine veterinary centre.

He is now searching for land which could be used as the new home for FoSBT. Anyone who has land to sell can call him on 07967 240839.