Tuesday, September 1, 2009

♥World's Oldest Dog Dies at age 21♥ or 147 in dog-years!

AP – This picture provided by owners Karl and Denise Shaughnessy
  By VIRGINIA BYRNE, Associated Press Writer Virginia Byrne, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK – A wire-haired dachshund that held the record as the world's oldest dog and celebrated its last birthday with a party at a dog hotel and spa has died at age 21 — or 147 in dog years.

Chanel (shah-NEHL') died Friday of natural causes at her owner's home in Port Jefferson Station, a village 50 miles east of New York City.

Chanel, as stylish as her legendary namesake, wore tinted goggles for her cataracts in her later years and favored sweaters because she was sensitive to the cold, owners Denice and Karl Shaughnessy said Monday.
The playful dachshund was only 6 weeks old when Denice Shaughnessy, then serving with the U.S. Army, adopted her from a shelter in Newport News, Va.

Along with her owner, Chanel spent nine years on assignment in Germany, where she became adept at stealing sticks of butter from kitchen countertops and hiding them in sofa cushions in the living room, Shaughnessy said. She also liked chocolate, usually considered toxic to dogs, Shaughnessy said. "She once ate an entire bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and, you see, she lived to be 21, so go figure," Shaughnessy added.

Karl Shaughnessy nominated Chanel for the title of world's oldest dog after noticing the Guinness World Records book had no record. Guinness World Records officials presented Chanel with a certificate as the world's oldest dog at a Manhattan birthday bash hosted by a private pet food company in May. Chanel loved the party, especially the cake, which had a peanut butter flavor and had been made for dogs, Denice Shaughnessy said.


Chanel exercised daily and ate home-cooked chicken with her kibble, but good care wasn't entirely responsible for her long life, said her owners, who attributed God. "Dogs are God's angels sent here to look out for us," Denice Shaughnessy said.

A dog from New Iberia, La., named Max, is vying for the record of world's oldest dog. Owner Janelle Derouen said Max marked his 26th birthday on Aug. 9. She said Guinness World Records officials were reviewing documents to authenticate his age; a Guinness World Records official in London didn't immediately answer an e-mail from The Associated Press requesting confirmation of that.

When asked the secret to her dog's long life, Derouen said she was shocked he's still with her. "I have five kids, and all my kids are grown and gone," she said. "Now my grandkids are playing with this dog."

15 comments:

Astrid Keel said...

we read that too today, and we were absolutely shocked about the 26 year old dog! WOWZER!

JacksDad said...

I hope that the 21 year old dog had a very good life towards the end - so often it's not the case.

I hope it gets cooler here too - it's much much too dangerous to leave a puppy in the car out here!

Yas said...

Yup, being able to live very long is indeed amazing if they are filled with love and happiness!!

Cheers,
Maxx

Sierra Rose said...

That is crazy amazing! Loved the sweet video with the dark glasses, and GIANT cake.
Great stories!

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose (resting after eating some of a mushroom bloom, and being rushed to the vet for some emergency vommiting!!!!! Arg!)

SEDONA said...

Very cool post, guys! I had no idea we doggies could live that long!
And I loved reading about your culinary misadventures ;-)
Your pal,
Sedona

Golden Samantha said...

Wow - that's a ripe old age and Chanel looks beautiful and elegant as Coco herself at her bday bash in NY. And can't believe there's another doggie out there who is 26!!!! Amazing - a pocketful of miracles!
Hugs xo
Sammie

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

My mom so hopes I'll get to celebrate that birthday someday!

We shared your post about what woo ate with my Auntie Di - she loved it!

She had a golden smooch (retriever) Sierra who khrossed a few years ago....but she still has my khousin Abby!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

The Oceanside Animals said...

I wish they could all live longer than they do ...

Teddy Bear said...

What an amazing story. May we all live that long.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

what a noble life!

Anonymous said...

Well that guy obviously met Mr. Spock and took it to heart when he said to: "Live Long and Prosper."
- TBH&K

Anonymous said...

Well that guy obviously met Mr. Spock and took it to heart when he said to: "Live Long and Prosper."
- TBH&K

Anonymous said...

Well that guy obviously met Mr. Spock and took it to heart when he said to: "Live Long and Prosper."
- TBH&K

Anonymous said...

Well that guy obviously met Mr. Spock and took it to heart when he said to: "Live Long and Prosper."
- TBH&K

Anonymous said...

Well that guy obviously met Mr. Spock and took it to heart when he said to: "Live Long and Prosper."
- TBH&K