For most of us humans turning 21 is quite a landmark. We can drink, drive, vote, and engage in all sorts of adult activities. However, if you're a dog, your days might be numbered.

 

But don't tell Chanel that. You see, Chanel is a 21-year-old dachshund mix, who just blew out 21 candles on her birthday cake on May 6th. And if you're trying to do the math, Chanel is about 120 years old in human years. But while she may wear “doggles ” for her cataracts, (color coordinated with her sweater of course!) has white hair (platinum blonde, dah-ling!) and seems to get cold easily, Chanel is in pretty good shape overall.

 

The birthday girl is owned by Denice Shaughnessy and has become a bit of a celebrity lately after appearing on network television in America, and being entered in the Guinness World Records as the oldest dog alive.

 

Denice's husband, Karl Shaughnessy, takes the credit for that as he was looking through the record book one day, and didn't see a category for the oldest dog. He then got a hold of Guinness and sent them Chanel’s birth certificate from 1988.

 

The dog was then presented with an official certificate recognizing her as the world’s oldest living dog and will be listed in the 2010 edition of Guinness World Records. The dog food company Dogswell is also holding a private bash for Chanel’s family and friends at the New York Dog Spa and Hotel.

 

While Chanel is basking in the glory at the moment, she still needs to live another eight years to equal the record for the all-time oldest dog, which is held by an Australian cattle dog namedBluey, who lived to be 29 years and five months old back in 1939. Still,  she has already beaten the odds,  as most Dachshunds only live for around 10 - 15 years.

Denice was a single mom and in the armed forces when she adopted Chanel from a shelter in Virginia, USA, for $25 over 20 years ago. She makes sure the dog is well taken care of and is one of the best-dressed hounds in the neighbourhood as Chanel always wears a jumper or T-shirt when she goes out. She even dresses up in the summer as she gets cold pretty quickly.

 

Chanel also looks like a rock star as she has to wear shades with tinted lenses to protect her eyes because of cataracts. She also has a small benign tumor on one hind leg, and wears booties to protect it.  Given that many pedigree Dachshunds suffer from several health complaints such as epilepsy and spinal problems, Chanel is doing better than most dogs half her age!

She has had the opportunity to travel as Denice has lived in Germany, upstate New York, and California. She has also had some company over the years as Denice has had three other dachshunds during Chanel’s lifetime.

 

No matter how long Chanel manages to enjoy her life, Denice realizes her beloved pet was the best $25 she ever spent.