Delta woman’s dog Lincoln is turning 21. What’s his secret?​on March 28, 2025 at 1:00 pm

On Sunday, there’s a big birthday party planned that would make any little boy happy. There will be hotdogs, cookies and cake, and games. But this celebration is for an “old man” who’s pushing 100 — in human years.

Meet Lincoln, a beloved Maltese cross who’s turning 21 years young on March 30. He’s been with North Delta resident Gail Maida since 2004 when he was just six weeks old, after Maida’s cousin’s dog had a litter and she brought one home.

Maida, who ran a notary public business in Richmond, says she “immediately began taking him to work with me at the office.”

He was so small at first that he slept in one of the courier baskets, she recalls. He graduated to having a bed under one of the chairs in the reception area, another sanctuary under Maida’s desk, and yet another in the backroom.

But most of the time, he was the canine greeter out front.

“Clients were just happy to see him there. It seemed to be kind of an icebreaker.”

One client said: “I knew I came to the right place” as soon as he saw the dog, she says.

“Lincoln seemed happy to receive the constant attention, and I think the clients enjoyed being greeted by the friendly tail-wagging.”

Lincoln “worked long hours” over the years because Maida was usually in the office six days a week. But there were perks, like occasional visits from Chester the spaniel, a pet of one of her clients.

“He went to work for 16 years until I retired five years ago,” says Maida. “He continues to amaze me with his stamina and determination to continue on and to allow me, and my family, to enjoy his constant company.”

Former customers still ask about Lincoln, though “most of them don’t expect him to still be alive.”

No wonder: a typical Maltese or Maltese-cross — Lincoln is also part poodle and Shih Tzu — lives around 12 to 15 years, according to PetMD. Reaching 20, much less 21, is almost unheard of, for any breed.

Maida reached out to Guinness World Records last year when Lincoln hit 20, but the whole idea of “oldest dog” is shrouded in mystery these days. Guinness once certified a Portuguese dog named Bobi as being 30 years old but later revoked the title due to a lack of microchip evidence.

Maida had Lincoln microchipped early on, but that has proved inconclusive for her too. Turns out the chip records can’t be found, and all she’s been able to confirm is that the company that makes the chips sold it in July 2004.

So what’s the secret to Lincoln’s longevity? Maida says it might be the home cooking. He developed stomach problems many years ago so she started him on a yam and turkey diet. The commercial versions were expensive, so she tried making it at home and he’s been enjoying it ever since.