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Old dog learns new trick — Turning 21 years old

Princess, who celebrated her birthday Wednesday, could be oldest dog in the world.

Gene and Shirley McAlister of Liberty Twp. own Princess, a West Highland terrier, who turned 21 years old Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Gene and Shirley McAlister of Liberty Twp. own Princess, a West Highland terrier, who turned 21 years old Wednesday, Dec. 2.

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By Rick McCrabb, Columnist 3:45 AM Thursday, December 3, 2009

LIBERTY TWP. — The McAlister family saved Princess’ life — and in return, the dark-haired West Highland terrier has given them a lifetime of companionship.

In the process, Princess may have set a record for being the world’s oldest dog. She celebrated her 21st birthday — or 147 in dog years — Wednesday, Dec. 2.

A wire-haired dachshund who held the record as the world’s oldest dog died in October on Long Island at age 21.

Guinness World Records officials honored Chanel as the world’s oldest dog in May at a 21st birthday bash hosted by a pet food company at a Manhattan dog hotel and spa.

Whether Princess is the world’s oldest dog — you know, old enough to be listed in “Guinness” and old enough to drink a Guinness beer — doesn’t matter to Gene and Shirley McAlister, who live on Panther Road in Liberty Twp.

“She’s part of the family,” he said.

“We love her,” she said.

Twenty years ago, Princess seemed destined for a death sentence when the Fairfield pet store that was selling her was closed because of alleged animal abuse.

That’s when a friend of the McAlister family suggested they adopt one of the dogs. At the time, Gene, a widower, was married to Mary.

When his wife asked if they could get another dog, he said, “No.” She heard, “Go.”

So when he got home from work, the family had two dogs: Candy, a snow-white terrier, and Princess, as black as coal.

Princess, malnourished at the time, was taken to a local veterinarian, where she stayed for three days and received IV fluids.

So much for free.

The vet bill: $400, a bargain considering that’s less than $20 per year.

Today, Princess, her hair showing a little gray, is slightly hard of hearing and has cataracts. She still gets up and down the stairs and possesses a hearty appetite.

For Princess’ age, Mary Wuest, office manager at County Animal Hospital in Mason, said, “She’s doing great.”

Wuest checked a dog-to-human age conversion chart, but it didn’t go above 20 years old. A 20-year-old dog is comparable to a 96-year-old person, she said.

When Gene McAlister’s first wife died of a heart attack in 1989, and Princess went from family pet to provider. She comforted Gene through his grieving process.

“Dogs give you unconditional love,” he said. “They seem to know when you’re in a bad mood or sick. There’s a bond.”

McAlister said he tries not to think about a day without Princess. Right on cue, she walked across the living room, and sat down next to him.

“She likes attention,” Shirley said.

“She’s slightly spoiled,” Gene said.

Contact this columnist at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.

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