May 6, 2009 4:11 pm US/Pacific
N.Y. Dachshund Named 'World's Oldest Living Dog'
'Chanel' Celebrates Her 21st Birthday; Honored By Guinness Book Of World Records
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The Guinness Book of World Records honored "Chanel" from Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., on her 21st birthday as the World's Oldest Living Dog.
CBS
While it may be true that every dog has its day, it's also true that some dogs get a lot more days than others. Such was the case for one dog which celebrated its birthday Wednesday and honored as the world's oldest dog, reports CBS station WCBS-TV in New York City.
Escorted by mounted police and surrounded by, well, "pup-erazzi," the guest of honor, Chanel, is clearly one important pooch. The Dachshund diva is celebrating her 21st birthday, making her the oldest dog alive. Guinness World Records made the feat official Wednesday, presenting a plaque to her owner from Port Jefferson Station on Long Island.
"On behalf of Guinness World Records, I'm here to present the record to Denice Shaugnessey for the World's Oldest Living Dog at 21 years," announced a Guinness official.
Chanel started beating the odds early on. Denice rescued her from a shelter when she was just six-weeks-old. She's been going strong ever since.
So what's her secret?
"The things that you give them, just like you do people, to keep their bones healthy. You have to love them. It's not a sometimes job, it's a full-time job," said Shaugnessey. "She's just been my best friend."
Shaugnessey says she used to run four miles a day with Chanel during her younger years. Considered to be 120 human years now, times has taken its toll. You'll be more likely to find Chanel lounging in a sweater because she gets cold easily, and wearing goggles for her cataracts.
Chanel's favorite play-pals were on hand to celebrate her birthday. She had her cake, and ate it too.
And Shaughnessey says she hopes there are many more milestones ahead.
"She's fooled everyone so far. So I don't know, it's really up to her," she says.
For now, she'll just savor the moment.
Some Plus-2 info: Most people might think one dog year equals seven human years. But actually, a dog's first year counts for 15 human years. The second year is 10 years, and then it's five years for each year after that.
So instead of being 147, Chanel is "just" 120.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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