Durban - Theodore, the country’s most famous St Bernard, has gone from being in the dog box to being given the five-star treatment.
When the dog’s owners, Pathmasolahani (Rita) Abraham and her son, Edward, were ordered by the Durban High Court to remove their 75kg pet from the plush Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate because he was too big, they decided to move him to Cape Town, to where Abraham’s newly-married daughter, Nicolene Pillay and her husband, Anand, had relocated.
Theodore, who had lived on the Mount Edgecombe estate for three years, made headlines when he became the focus of a legal battle, which began in 2012, when his owners took the estate to court after being refused permission to keep him. The estate only allows dogs that do not exceed 20kg when fully grown.
When the pet relocation company arrived at the family home to pick up Theodore at the end of January, his “mother” broke down in tears, while her son put on a brave face as he helped load Theodore into the van.
Meanwhile, down in Cape Town, dog lover, Naree Brink, owner of the five-star The Bay Hotel at Camps Bay Beach, was moved when he read about the sad tale of Theodore having to relocate.
“He was really touched by the story and asked me to invite Theodore and his owners for a stay as a treat, to give Theodore a break after all the stress,” said Lizanne van Niekerk, executive assistant of Village and Life, which manages the luxury beachfront hotel.
“It was quite a surprise to get such a nice offer,” said Nicolene, who explained that Theodore was still “a bit homesick” for Durban, but that he was getting better.
And on Saturday, Theodore – and the Pillays – took up the offer and checked into the dog-friendly Bay Hotel for a complimentary stay.
Hotel manager, Sean Geyser, was there to welcome the famous dog too. “The staff were so friendly and really excited to meet the famous Theodore,” Nicolene said.
Theodore made the most of his invitation, lounging around the swimming pool, with a view of Lion’s Head mountain behind him… running into the sea… settling down in the dining room when his owners had dinner and sleeping in the same bedroom.
“He just loved all the attention,” Nicolene said.
Daily News