World's Oldest Dog

[Borg warner]

World's oldest dog celebrates 31st birthday, according to Guinness World Records

Sun, May 14, 2023 AP

 

(31 years in dog years is the equivalent of a human living to be 217 !!!)

 

CONQUEIROS, Portugal (AP) — The world's oldest dog recently celebrated his 31st birthday, according to Guinness World Records.

Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese dog, celebrated during a party Saturday at his home in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros, where has lived his entire life.

More than 100 people attended the “very traditional” Portuguese party, owner Leonel Costa said. Local meats and fish were served to up to 100 guests, with extra for Bobi, who only eats human food. A dance troupe also performed with Bobi participating in one of their routines.

Costa has owned several old-age dogs in the past, including Bobi’s mother, Gira, who lived to age 18. However, Costa said he never imagined any of his dogs would reach their 30s. We see situations like this as a normal result of the life that they have, but Bobi is one of a kind,” Costa said. One of the biggest contributing factors to Bobi’s longevity is the “calm, peaceful environment” in which he lives, according to Costa.

Throughout his life, Bobi has freely roamed the forests surrounding the Costa house. He has never been chained or leashed. The “very sociable” dog was never lonely because he grew up surrounded by many other animals, Costa said. Now in his senior years, Bobi finds it difficult to walk, so he prefers to hang out at home in the yard. His eyesight has gotten worse, meaning he often bumps into things when he walks. Just like old-age humans, Bobi sleeps a lot. He immediately lies down in bed after eating, although on cold days he chooses to nap by the fire, his owner said.

Bobi’s birth date has been confirmed by the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, which registered Bobi in 1992. His age also has been verified by a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government. Costa, now 38, was just 8 years old when Bobi was born. For him, Bobi is a living reminder of the past, he said.

 

Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world," Costa said. "Bobi represents those generations.”

[Silentpoet]

That was a cool news item.  I saw a different version of the story earlier. 

[janice6]

I had one dog reach 20 years old, and two that went 19 years.  My present is a rescue that is now 17.  They deserve a good life since they were good in their lives.

[Maser]

Was I the only one who thought this was gonna be a thread about Dianne Feinstein? 

[Borg warner]

15 hours ago, Silentpoet said:

That was a cool news item.  I saw a different version of the story earlier. 

what's especially amazing is that it looks like a fairly large dog, about the size of a Lab. Small dogs can liver for 20 years but most large dogs can not, and great Danes only live for about 8 years.

[Walt Longmire]

5 minutes ago, Borg warner said:

what's especially amazing is that it looks like a fairly large dog, about the size of a Lab. Small dogs can liver for 20 years but most large dogs can not, and great Danes only live for about 8 years.

I had a 125 pound Shepherd/Lab mix that lived to almost 18. Outdoor dog that still had his nuts. Had to put him to sleep when his spine gave out and he couldn't stand up. Marlin was a good boy. When other dogs came around, he roared like a lion. They'd run right off. 

[Borg warner]

28 minutes ago, Walt Longmire said:

I had a 125 pound Shepherd/Lab mix that lived to almost 18. Outdoor dog that still had his nuts. Had to put him to sleep when his spine gave out and he couldn't stand up. Marlin was a good boy. When other dogs came around, he roared like a lion. They'd run right off. 

You wer fortunate to have him for all those years. Sounds like an exceptional dog.

[Huaco Kid]

Our fatcat was 20.

Several weeks before he died, I found a squirrel on the doormat with it's face chewed off, so he was still livin' the life up to the end.