Date: Fri 07-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Newtown's-oldest-dogs

Full Text:

Something to howl about -

Newtown's Oldest Dogs On Record

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Remington, Sheba and Mollie have each reached the ripe old age of 126. They

have, that is, if you multiply their 18 calendar years times 7 - the standard

equation for converting dog years to a comparable human age.

As the oldest dogs on record at the town clerk's office, they are the official

elders of Newtown's canine community.

Sheba, the springer spaniel mix, sleeps a lot these days, but it was not

always so. Named after the Queen of Sheba, this royal runt of the litter

really tore up the town -or more accurately, the car - when she was a pup.

"Once, when we went to Maine, before we had the kids, she ate the back

flooring in the car," said Michael Hughes. He and his wife, Claire, got the

dog in the fall of 1978 from Animal Acres in Newtown. Sheba is older than the

Hughes two teenagers - Sean, 17, and Erin, 14.

There is "spring" in her breed as well as her step because Sheba once jumped

up to nab some freshly made sandwiches off a high counter. She also would eat

cinders that spilled from the wood stove if the Hughes weren't quick enough to

find them first. "For awhile we had to put the Christmas tree in a crib

because she would go for the ornaments," said Michael. "My daughter had baked

a bread-dough ornament - she ate one with a safety pin in it." And they never

saw it again.

Although Sheba snoozes 22 hours a day now, she maintains a slender figure at

35 lbs. Her days of speaking, rolling over, and sitting on command are over.

"But she just keeps on going. She's been great with the kids over the years,"

said Michael. "We've always taken her to Newtown Animal Clinic. When she was

about 12 years old I asked how long [this sized dog] lasts and they said,

`About 12 years.'"

Little Dog, Big Fuss

Another dog who beats the odds is Remington, a six-pound "combo" of Chihuahua

and Yorkshire terrier (or "terror" depending on your experience with him). He

has gotten a little mellow with age, said owner Marjorie Costa. "Some of my

friends used to call him `Little Nipper' or `Little Killer' because he used to

growl and put up a big fuss. It didn't matter how big the person or dog was,"

she said.

In his younger years, the feisty dog had been known to latch on to a pant-leg

and hold tight as he was lifted in the air. "He'd lay down his life to save

me," said Marjorie.

When one hears these stories, it's not surprising to find Remington is a

member of Club Mighty Dog. One benefit of membership is receiving regular

copies of The Wag Times , which is addressed to him.

Remington's beginnings are dubious at best. His mother, a chi-hauhau, "went

out for a walk one day and came back pregnant." Marjorie and her sister

decided to each keep one of the litter.

"I named hers Winchester and mine Remington because they were `armed' with

fleas when they were young. They were so low to the ground," laughed Marjorie.

"I don't know what I'd do without the little guy. He's been my companion for

all these years; he's outlasted every man in my life! I just hope when

Judgment Day comes, Remington is waiting for me on the judge's lap. For such a

little dog, he has so much love."

Although she can't imagine life without her little friend, Marjorie has

prepared for the inevitable. "I have a little burial spot picked out and dug -

in case it happens during cold weather. I made a little pine box for him - I

keep logs in it for my fireplace," she said. Marjorie, a special police

officer who worked in Westport when they revamped the bridge over US1, was

given a piece of granite from the site. That will be engraved and placed as

Remington's headstone.

Whenever he is called to happy hunting grounds, it can never be said that

Remington did not have an extraordinary life. He sleeps in a custom built,

four-poster bed that is just his size (his mistress sewed a mattress and

afghan for him). Marjorie buys a special mix and bakes dog biscuits (made with

a dog bone shaped cookie cutter or small heart, if it's Valentines Day). He

regularly took road trips to New Hampshire, on which he would wear a crocheted

"travel coat" made by Marjorie.

"He has a whole wardrobe. He has a biker-jacket, I knitted him a sweater, ...

he has a green corduroy coat. He always wears a sweater or coat when it's cold

or foul weather."

Whenever Thanksgiving is celebrated in his Hattertown home, Remington gets a

little plate with all the foods dogs would die for - turkey and stuffing with

gravy. He sits and eats on a chair set behind Marjorie's; that way, he can

feel a part of the celebration without being right at the table, and his owner

can easily refill his plate.

The town clerk's office also indicates there is a third dog in Newtown that is

18 years old. Molly Weller-Lemoine, the yellow golden retriever, could not be

reached for comment by press time.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this dog "tail" is that it made it to

print. Remington, who permits people, even reporters, to enter his house,

rarely lets them leave.