Oh Stephen..to think anyone who knows you would act this way !! And why shouldn't you go to Australia? It's not you who was singing the blues about money. I suppose they'll never understand it's not really about the money, but about what's right. It's heartbreaking of course but then again if as you say she's always been of an unpleasant attitude then this is nothing new except it's all so intense now. It sounds to me like this neice has alot of issues if she'd even not notice a dog missing from her car.
Please don't feel that you made her cry..most likely she's spoiled and looking for a quick fix to some poor financial decisions.