Eric Shackle Writes: Mourning Max
"Millions of animal lovers are mourning the recent death of Max, the world’s oldest dog. He was 29 years old, and would have been 30 if he had survived until August 9,'' writes Eric Shackle.
An Australian cattle dog, Bluey, still holds the title of the world’s longest-living dog of all time. He worked among sheep and cattle for 20 years, and survived until November 14, 1939, when he was put down. He had lived for 29 years, five months and seven days, on a diet of kangaroos and emus.
Forget that old wives’ tale that a dog’s life equals one seventh of a human life. That’s not always true.
Max, “a beagle, dachshund, terrier mix”, lived in a small US town, New Iberia, Louisiana. His owner, Janelle DeRouen had adopted him when he was a puppy. She had bought him from a local sugar cane farmer in 1983. Max had grown up with her children and grandchildren.
Wrapped in his blanket, he was buried in the DeRouen backyard, beneath a tree under which he used to sit. His grave was decorated with flowers, poems and lights.
VIDEO (2009): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1205517/Max-terrier-worlds-oldest-dog-celebrates-26th-birthday.html
NEWSPAPER, The New Iberian: http://www.iberianet.com/news/max-misses-world-s-oldest-dog-title/article_a432c462-c251-11e2-96b5-001a4bcf887a.html
How old is your dog?: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/age.htm
