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National TV & spa visit
for birthday bowwow
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| | | TV image/Photo by J. Choi (click for larger version) | |
May 07, 2009 | 01:43 PM
Calm and cool in her red shades, Chanel, a dachshund who holds the Guinness Book of Records' title "World's oldest dog," appeared with owner Denice Shaughnessy on the "Today Show" Wednesday morning. A family pet of the Shaughnessys in Port Jefferson Station, Chanel sat patiently with hosts Ann Curry, Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Al Roker before heading off to the New York Dog and Spa Hotel in Manhattan to celebrate her 21st birthday.
Since TBR Newspapers broke the story of Chanel's senior status, the wiener dog has been featured in news reports all over the world. Shaughnessy's husband, Karl, said that "started a whirlwind" and eventually landed the family pet on national television. "I think it's wonderful," he said. "I think my wife's done a terrific job with Chanel."
Shaughnessy, the secretary to the principal of Rocky Point Middle School, said her 21-year-old dachshund is "doing OK for an old dog" and "still eats every day." "Beyond that," Shaughnessy added, "she doesn't do much." Still, old age notwithstanding, Chanel had no problems traveling to Manhattan in the car provided by "Today Show" executives. "She's OK as long as she's with me," her owner said.
During a March interview with this paper, Shaughnessy said a representative of "The Tonight Show" had reached out to her to request photos of Chanel. And while she sent them along, she is not keen about the prospect of flying Chanel to California, and that sentiment remained true as Shaughnessy said this week, "I'm not interested in taking her out there." Karl Shaughnessy added, "We're not really looking to travel that far. I don't like sitting on a plane six hours, and I'm a lot younger than [Chanel] is."
In honor of the famed pooch's 21st birthday, a group of sixth-graders from Rocky Point Middle School presented her with handmade birthday cards, according to Shaughnessy. "They were so fascinated by the story," she said, expressing her appreciation for the heartfelt birthday wishes.
Sixth-grade teacher John Mauceri said the students put a lot of "effort and enthusiasm" into making the cards. "They were extremely excited," he said. "It's from their heart, and that's the important thing." Mauceri, a 1994 Rocky Point High School graduate, said he also focused on Chanel's story in TBR Newspapers for a current events assignment in his social studies class. Describing Shaughnessy as a "wonderful person," the teacher said her presence in the school made the assignment about Chanel a "unique" experience for the students.
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