She may only have one daughter, but Priscilla Presley made sure that she taught Lisa Marie Presley everything she knew — including how to be compassionate.

The 74-year-old attended the Last Chance for Animals’ 35th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 19, in Beverly Hills, and spoke about many things, including teaching her daughter, 51, positive traits. “You know what it comes from the home, parents and especially when you have an animal, I think it’s very important for your children to grow up with animals to show compassion for them,” Priscilla exclusively told Closer Weekly. “That they have feelings and not to be cruel with them and be patient with them.”

Priscilla Presley Lisa Marie
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“I rescued animals since I was 5 years old. They would come to me, I wouldn’t even have to look for them. Dogs or bunnies, I would bring them home,” the businesswoman continued. “My father didn’t like it in the house so I would sneak them in my closet and have them stay the night in my closet.”

It is no surprise to hear Elvis Presley‘s widow gushing about animals, especially since she has always been about them. Recently, she took the news of her horse passing quite hard. “After hearing [that] Max, one of our horses, had just passed, both my dogs Boz and little Ridley immediately rushed over to comfort me,” the actress wrote alongside a photo of her two pets being there for her.

“My cousin, Ivy, was clearing her emails and caught this touching photo of their concern with my grief. I will miss Max tremendously. His story I will always hold dear to my heart.” While Priscilla of course cares for animals, she is also about her two granddaughters, Finley and Harper — and she always gushes about them.

“They know how to Google already, they know how to draw things and characters, and oh, my gosh,” Priscilla once revealed to Us Weekly. “They’re just little girls experiencing life and having fun.” So great!

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