Dachshund Paco Sosa Fetes 20th Birthday on September 5, Deemed New York's Oldest...

Dachshund Paco Sosa Fetes 20th Birthday on September 5, Deemed New York's
Oldest Dog

NEW YORK, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Paco Sosa, a Manhattan dachshund who turns
20 years old this Saturday, September 5, is believed to be New York's most
senior canine citizen. In human years, that's 140.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090903/NY70761 )

The world record holder was wire-haired dachshund Chanel, who died on August
28 in New York's Long Island, at age 21.

Paco exercises regularly and eats organic poultry, fish and fruit; and in good
weather he can be seen in Central Park with his human companion, filmmaker and
venture capitalist Bernadine Santistevan. But Paco's healthy regimen isn't
the only factor in his longevity, according to Dr. Talia Goldberg of Park East
Animal Hospital, where Paco has been treated since 1990.

"A lot of it has to do with the care that Bernadine provides him.
Acupuncture, physical therapy, Eastern therapy -- she goes well beyond for
him." Thanks in large part to this comprehensive wellness program and to
Bernadine being "in tune" with her dog, "Paco is still with us and in pretty
good condition," said the New York veterinarian.

Paco's acupuncturist, Dr. Jeffrey Levy, agrees that alternative therapies have
helped extend the dog's life. "When I met Paco in 2008, he had some severe
orthopedic issues," recalled Dr. Levy. Dr. Levy used acupuncture to facilitate
Paco's mobility and to alleviate pain. The dog's musculoskeletal issues have
since dramatically improved.

Rounding out Paco's protocol have been physical therapy sessions at The Animal
Medical Center in Manhattan. Renee Shumway, Paco's rehabilitation practitioner
at The AMC uses massage and special exercises in her work with Paco.

Beyond the needles and rubdowns, Paco is regarded as having unique traits that
are also credited with his endurance. "He has a special soul," observed Dr.
Goldberg. "He's a fighter."

For his part, Dr. Levy has been impressed by Paco's "great will to live."

Paco's unusual personality was recently caught on camera when Bernadine took
him to their native New Mexico for a two-week shoot. The film, The Way of the
Wolf, follows its furry protagonist on a series of encounters -- including
with a Native American who is in touch with animal spirits and with an animal
healer -- to uncover the extraordinary bond between Paco and Bernadine that
some say has fueled the dog's endurance. Bernadine acquired Paco as a puppy in
New Mexico.

SOURCE Santo LLC

Laura Blum, for Santo LLC, +1-646-391-8068, laurablum@hotmail.com