Pampered Bess is now 154

It's anything but a dog's life for pampered terrier Bess - whose diet of fresh chicken and regular walks has helped her stay strong into her 20s.

The dog, who lives in Shareshill, near Wolverhampton, is at least 154 years old, making her the equivalent of about 22 years old in human years. Owners Bob and Julie Cope, of Spires Croft think she may be one of the oldest dogs in the country but can't prove exactly when she was born. She originally belonged to 61-year-old Bob's uncle Wilfred Jordan.

The family still treasure a photograph taken in 1989 showing Bess on the car park of Birmingham Airport when Bob's brother, Stephen, went to Munich.

Bess was at least one in the photo. The couple think she came from Sunnyside Kennels, Coven, more than a year before but records don't go back that far.

Bess went to live with Mr and Mrs Cope after Mr Jordan's death in 2006. As both then worked they decided to advertise in the Shareshill village shop to see if a retired person would like Bess for company, while the couple continued to take her for walks and pay for vets' care.

Villager Dorothy Seymore came forward and she and Bess took to each other straight away but Dorothy died in 2007 so Bess returned to the Copes where she has stayed ever since.

They contacted the Express & Star after reading of Tividale dog Misty the 21-year-old Lhaso Apso whose owners wanted to know if she was a record breaker.

Mrs Cope, 52, said: "Bess is a delightful character like Misty her vision is impaired due to cataracts and she is deaf. But she retains a hearty appetite and will walk to the end of the road and loves to be taken to King George's Playing Fields in Bloxwich."