Most people notice Cricket because of his size.
Standing nearly as tall as some adults when upright and weighing around 200 pounds, the Great Dane turns heads wherever he goes. But it’s not his height that makes him remarkable.
At 13 years old, Cricket has already lived well beyond the average lifespan for a Great Dane, making him one of the oldest known living dogs of his breed in Pennsylvania, according to his owner, Candace Guthier of Reading.
For Guthier, though, the numbers matter far less than the years they’ve spent together.
“I just love him so much. He means a whole lot to our family,” Guthier said. “Thirteen years itself is an accomplishment. That’s well over 100 years old in human years.”
Guthier adopted Cricket in 2016 after searching for an uncommon large-breed dog. A veterinarian who had taken him in as a rescue contacted her through Craigslist, explaining she no longer had the time to care for him.
At the time, Cricket was believed to be about 10 months old. Years later, curious about how energetic he remained despite his advancing age, Guthier ordered a DNA age test that estimated his birthdate as June 23, 2013.
The results surprised her.
They also inspired her to see whether Cricket could earn recognition beyond Pennsylvania.
Guthier applied to Guinness World Records after learning about other famous Great Danes, but she said the organization does not recognize breed-specific longevity records. Although Cricket wasn’t eligible, she hopes sharing his story will help others appreciate the breed.
“I just want to get him recognized because he’s such a great dog,” Guthier said. “They’re not scary dogs. They’re not real hard to take care of. Everyone sees these dogs and thinks, ‘Oh my God, he’s so big,’ but he gives more love than I could ever give back.”
Last year, Cricket faced perhaps his biggest challenge.
He underwent surgery in Delaware to remove a cancerous growth after veterinary estimates closer to home proved financially out of reach. Guthier said she didn’t hesitate.
“When they told me they could do the surgery, I never emptied my bank account so quick,” Guthier said. “Without having that surgery, he wouldn’t even be here.”
The operation saved his life, allowing Cricket to continue doing what he loves most: spending time with people.
Despite his massive frame, Guthier describes him as “literally a gentle giant.”
“He’s literally a gentle giant,” Guthier said. “He loves all the kids, all the pets, all the cats, all the dogs. He just loves everybody.”
His daily routine has become slower with age.
Cricket now struggles with stairs and sleeps on a large orthopedic bed. Family members help him navigate the steps, and exercise is carefully managed to reduce the risk of bloat, a life-threatening condition common in deep-chested breeds like Great Danes.
Still, Guthier says his personality hasn’t changed.
“He still has the heart of a puppy,” Guthier said. “I would hate for a physical disability to take him away from us just because he can’t walk, when he can live the rest of his life laying in my living room if he wanted to.”
That spirit is what makes each day both joyful and bittersweet.
“I don’t know how much longer we have with him,” Guthier said. “Every day I come downstairs just absolutely dreading looking. It’s tough to come downstairs and look at the bed and wonder if he might not be there the next morning.”
As difficult as those thoughts can be, she says she’s grateful for every extra year Cricket has given her family.
“Thirteen years is a hell of a long time to have with him, and I’m grateful for every second of it,” Guthier said. “I see him struggle walking and standing, and it just rips my heart out because he still has the heart of a puppy.”
Guthier said anyone interested in learning more about Cricket or reaching out regarding his story can contact her at candicent@yahoo.com.
