Bobi, the world’s oldest known dog ever, passed away last week at an animal hospital in Portugal, Guinness World Records announced Monday.
“Bobi lived to be 31 years 165 days old and spent his entire life with his loving owner Leonel Costa and his family in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros,” the record-keeping company said in a news release.
Bobi was recognized as the oldest dog ever known in February, just two weeks after a 23-year-old Chihuahua named Spike tried to claim the title. His death leaves Ohio-born Spike as the oldest known living dog.
In dog years, Bobi was roughly 86 years old. He was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a Portuguese breed of farm and guardian dog with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
His age was confirmed by his 1992 registration with a veterinary medical service in Leiria, Portugal, and with a Portuguese government-owned pet database, Guinness said.
Bobi was born in a litter of four puppies; the three others were put down by owner Leonel Costa’s parents because the farm already had too many animals.
“At that time it was considered normal by older people … to bury the animals in a hole so that they would not survive,” Leonel said in an interview with Guinness.
Costa said he hid Bobi from his parents after he discovered that the dog had escaped his siblings’ fate by hiding in a stack of wood. When Costa’s parents found out, it was too late to put Bobi down.
Costa said Bobi was never tied up or leashed, drank plenty of water and ate human food exclusively. Costa attributed Bobi’s old age to his “calm, peaceful” life.
On Bobi’s 31st birthday, in May, his owner threw him a traditional Portuguese birthday party, attended by more than 100 guests, Guinness said.
When we noticed the ailing dog pleading with onlookers for assistance with the massive tumor that was causing him such agony that he had to collapse, we became very alarmed
Meet Mixi, a brave dog who had been suffering from a massive tumor under his chest for a long time. The tumor was so large that it hung down and touched the ground when he moved, causing him immense discomfort. Desperate for help, Mixi went near a car, hoping to find someone who could assist him.
Fortunately, kind-hearted individuals came to his rescue and took him to a veterinary hospital to receive treatment. The pictures taken before the surgery showed the extent of the tumor, which was heavy and had broken through the skin, leaving a gaping hole. But thanks to the successful surgery, the tumor was completely removed, giving Mixi a new lease on life.
After the surgery, Mixi was brought back to his home, where he eagerly awaited the arrival of his owner, a woman wearing a blue shirt. He seemed to have a lot to say to her, and his excitement was palpable. His owner was emotional and grateful to the people who had saved her beloved dog’s life. She expressed her heartfelt thanks and appreciation for giving Mixi a chance at a happy and healthy life.
Despite still needing care and medication for the healing process, Mixi’s owner was hopeful that he would fully recover and not have any further health issues. She shared her story, describing the pitiful state Mixi was in before the surgery and how she had feared that he might not survive. However, she now believed in miracles as she saw Mixi’s remarkable progress.
Mixi’s owner expressed her deep gratitude to the kind-hearted individuals who had helped her dog and gave him a second chance. She thanked them from the bottom of her heart and looked forward to a brighter future with Mixi by her side, now able to run freely and enjoy life to the fullest.
Mixi’s story is a heartwarming reminder of the incredible resilience and strength of animals and the transformative power of compassion and care. It is a testament to the dedication of veterinary professionals and the kindness of strangers who stepped forward to help an innocent animal in need. With a bright future ahead of him, Mixi’s journey is a true testament to the unwavering bond between humans and their furry companions, and a story of hope and healing that will inspire many.
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