Shrine to Locksbottom's St Bernard dog set up in house

Affectionately known as Arthur, well-wishers have been laying flowers at the shrine in his former home.

The seven-year-old was put to sleep as he was suffering from a cancerous tumour on one of his legs and could not support himself.

He lived much of his life in Wellbrook Road, Locksbottom, but lived out his final days in Monks Way, Orpington.

During his final week his owner Heather Meyers fed him his favourites of rump steak, pork chops and mince.

And on his last day he was given a breakfast of 20 boiled eggs and 10 slices of toast before the vet came to put the 14st 9lb St Bernard to sleep.

Ms Meyers said: “He was known as the local horse and people miss me walking him.

“He brought a lot of joy to children and what they found fascinating was that he sat on their laps but he was bigger than them.

“The loss has affected the family terribly; it’s like grieving for a human being.

“When I go out I’m fine but when I come back to this empty house I really miss him.

“He had a real presence about him.”

His owner Heather Meyers, of Monks Way, Orpington, is now writing a book entitled It’s a Dog’s Life so people can remember his adventures.

Arthur's adventures

Born on February 17, 2004, he moved into the Meyers family home in March of the same year.

Failed puppy training

Arthur was asked to sit on the floor like the other dogs in his class but chose to sit on a bench instead.

Crashed a car

While waiting in the car for his owner to come back from the shops in Locksbottom, a man came up to the vehicle to say hello.

In his excitement Arthur jumped on the handbrake so the car rolled backwards into another vehicle while he was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Ms Meyers had to send a photograph of her dog to the insurance company because he was in charge of the vehicle at the time of the crash.

‘Robbed’ a bank

Not content with smashing two Tiffany style lamps and landing on a £3,000 white leather sofa after running into a furniture store, Arthur accompanied Ms Meyers into the bank in Locksbottom.

He bolted through the door causing customers to start screaming.

Bank staff thought they were being robbed so they put the shutters down and everyone was locked inside.

Ms Meyers was served very quickly without having to queue when the shutters were put back up.

Fixed cricket matches

Instead of politely watching the cricket being played on Tugmutton Common he preferred to steal the cricket ball and give it to his Labrador girlfriend Molly.

He was also fond of stealing the boundary rope to disrupt play.

Developed a tumour

Arthur got a lump in his leg which was diagnosed as cancerous so after treatment at an animal hospital his family decided to bring him home so the community could say goodbye.

He was privately cremated in Godstone, Surrey, and there is now a shrine to him at his house.