Evicted Theo brushes off court defeat
FROM frolicking on Camps Bay beach to being pampered at a fivestar hotel, South Africa’s most controversial St Bernard, Theodore, is living the high life in Cape Town.
The plight of the hulking canine, who was kicked out of his luxury Durban golf estate last year, touched dog lovers throughout South Africa, including hotelier Maree Brink.
Brink, an ardent pooch fan, decided the 73kg heavyweight and his adoptive parents, Nicolene and Anand Pillay, could do with a treat and invited them last week to spend the night at his upmarket hotel in Camps Bay.
Theodore’s owners — attorney Edward Abraham and his businesswoman mother, Rita — made the painful decision earlier this year to rehome the three-year-old dog and abandon an appeal court petition about his Durban home.
The Abrahams, who hired President Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial advocate, Kemp J Kemp, were denied leave to appeal a ruling in the High Court in Durban ordering them to remove the dog from Mount Edgecombe Country Estate late last year.
Theodore moved to Cape Town last month and now lives with Edward’s sister Nicolene at her home in Claremont. According to Nicolene, the rather spoilt dog has adjusted very well to life in the Mother City.
“We often do trips to the beach, where he loves playing in the waves and climbing the rocks.”
Locals often refer to him as the “Beethoven dog”, and shower him with affection.
Nicolene and her husband were pleasantly surprised when they received a call from the hotel, inviting them all over for a night. “The owner, Mr Brink, has four of his own dogs.”
Theodore was welcomed by hotel management and given the royal treatment. “We stayed in a cabana-suite-type room. They actually laid a big dog bed for him with a bone stating ‘Welcome Sir Theodore’.”
While Theodore was oblivious to the fuss, the couple were slightly overwhelmed. “We found it very strange and weird. We had dinner, he sat with us . . . we had breakfast, and he was there.”
Guests were fascinated by the sight of Theodore, sitting obediently in the dining area.
The hotel offered to prepare meals for Theodore, but Nicolene preferred to carry a “doggy bag”, containing his favourite chunks. “We have Theodore on a special controlled diet now.”
He spent his afternoon lounging by the hotel pool.
“People walking by on the street did a double take, because here was this huge St Bernard lounging by the pool. It was quite a sight.”
The dog even received a turndown service.
“When we returned from the beach we found a treat on his bed. It was a great treat for us all. Theodore seems to be adjusting well; Cape Town is becoming his town.”
The hotel posted pictures of Theodore’s visit on its Facebook page. Attached to a picture of Theodore gazing out of his hotel room was the post: “Theodore the Saint Bernard is loving his room. We are so delighted to host this special visitor. What a joy.”
Here was this huge St Bernard lounging by the pool. It was quite a sight