Spotty house was painted in tribute to ‘life-saving’ Dalmatian dog

Dog lover Ian Pierce painted Eliska House, in South Road, Peacehaven, white with black spots in 2005. He named it after his Dalmatian as a lasting sign of gratitude.

Mr Pierce bought the house 15 years ago and believes Eliska saved his and his son’s life. In 2004 the pair were planning to go on holiday to Thailand but had to cancel the trip as they had no-one to look after their 13-year-old pet.

A terrifying tsunami hit the resort where the family would have been staying – tragically killing scores of holidaymakers.

Mr Pierce said when Eliska was 16 eight years ago her limbs began to fail and she had to be put to sleep. His son also grew up and moved away and he became lonely.

He said, “My first Dalmatian was a wonderful woofer. I miss her every day. I always felt we had to thank her for our lives so I painted the house. The job took me about a week, painting a few hours a day, to finish. I’m not sure everyone was too impressed but most people seemed to like it.

“It took me much longer to re-paint it a couple of years ago.”

But he now has a new friend. After seeing a picture of a lookalike three-year-old Dalmatian he drove to Manchester and the dog, also named Eliska, was sitting on his lap that evening.

The house being sold by Peacehaven agents Jarlands at £200,000 for a leasehold first floor apartment or £500,000 for the whole freehold property including commercial ground floor space.

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