After owner’s death, friend ships dogs from Spain to re-house them in Sidmouth

TWO schnauzer dogs are settling into their new Sidmouth home after an overland trip from Spain.

Sophie and Maisie were the beloved pets of Paul Robinson, a former building society manager in Sidmouth, and local thespian, who had lived in Spain for the past eight years, until his death, aged 64, in August.

Good friends Val and Alan Clifford, former owners of the Devoran Hotel, travelled to Sucina, Murcia, to arrange for the dogs to be shipped back to the UK, in a journey that took two-and-a-half days, to give them a new home with their grandchildren, Calvin, eight, and Robyn, 13, who live in Alexandria Road.

“We are pleased to say the dogs are settling unbelievably well in the totally new surroundings, coping with the colder weather, having walks in the Byes and seeing the sea for the first time,” said Val.

On Monday, the dogs were taken to Sidmouth Parish Church for a thanksgiving service in memory of Paul, conducted by the Reverend Angie Gammon.

Paul’s neice, Bronwyn, read the lesson and Graham Liverton, who knew Paul through his amateur dramatic interests, gave the eulogy.

The Cliffords said the dogs sat quietly throughout the service.