For Tokyo, 120 is the new 40 (in dog years, of course.)
Three years ago, when the vet told Steven and David their dog was 18 years-old, they couldn’t believe their ears.
Today Tokyo, their chihuahua-Jack Russell mix, is 21 - or 120 in dog years. And his parents have happily accepted he’s in for the long haul. In fact, Steven and David think they just might be pet parents to the oldest dog in Canada.
Their vet calls Tokyo “shockingly healthy.” And even after an amputated tail following an unfortunate door accident, this dog who is shows no sign of slowing down.
“Tokyo is very curious and active for his age,” David tells OhMyDog!. “He follows us around and loves being with us. He loves sneaking in the hallway as we’re exiting the apartment to run around. He’s also very snuggly and loves going under the covers in the morning.”
For Steven, it was love at first sight over 20 years ago when he saw the puppy at an outdoor event in Toronto. He quickly adopted Tokyo and the rest is history. A very, very long history. Steven, David, and Tokyo now call Montreal home.
“He was the cutest little puppy I had ever seen,” says Steven. “Five pounds of adorableness.”
A dog of Tokyo’s breed mix is expected to live an average of 13-16 years. At 21 years-old, Tokyo is almost 120 years-old in human years, according to the calculations set out by the American Kennel Club.
Scientists and veterinarians are still quite baffled as to why smaller dogs tend to live longer lives than larger breeds, but it is the norm. One theory is that, as larger dogs age at an accelerated pace, their cell growth is more prone to abnormalities. But the aging difference between sizes still remains a bit of a mystery.
Steven and David say the secret to Tokyo’s longevity is lots of love, healthy food, and his love of travel. The dog often accompanies Steven on buying trips for his fashion and design business. Tokyo has grown into one cultured, fashion-conscious pup.
“He loves his daddy’s work in the fashion office,” says David. “And he loves road trips just like Steven. He has been all over Ontario and Quebec, and New York. He loves being in the front seat and on our lap the whole time.”
Like a senior set in his ways, a dog as old as Tokyo certainly knows what he likes and dislikes by now.
“Tokyo is a city dog at heart. He doesn’t like cold weather or cats. And he really doesn’t like other small dogs!”