Schnitzel, Docklands pioneer

From his private balcony high above NewQuay, Schnitzel the dachshund has seen them come and go since 2002.

He and his owners Budi and Adelheid Sutanto were the third “family” to move into the Palladio building back in 2002.

They signed up for their apartment in 2000 when excavation for the nearby Arkley building had just begun. 

The Sutantos were living in Wheelers Hill at the time had been entertaining a Dutch aunt with a boat tour of the Docklands.

“My aunt insisted we sign up,” Adelheid said.  “When she got back to Holland she rang to make sure we had committed ourselves.”

Adelheid said coming from Germany 20 years ago, the couple felt more at home with apartment living that with suburban living.

Schnitzel also feels the same way. Adedheid said the 11-year-old dachshund used the Wheelers Hill backyard for ablutions only.

In Docklands he has is own balcony, complete with dog flap and wooden decking.

He is walked twice a day and notices every change to the landscape.

“He barks if there is something new or something has changed,” Adelheid said.

Schnitzel came to the Sutantos when he was seven weeks old.  He had been earlier purchased by a family with one-year-old twin boys.

“The family wasn’t coping and told us they Schnitzel was going back,” Adelheid said.  “All that night I couldn’t sleep.  I woke up and said let’s go and get that dog.”

The rest is history.