World's oldest dog, Bobi, passes away at 31
SHAH ALAM - Bobi, the world's oldest dog has passed away today at the age of 31 in Portugal, which Guinness World Records confirmed.
According to Reuters, Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro Alentejano, spent his entire life in a village in central Portugal and remarkably lived for 31 years and 165 days.
This extraordinary longevity broke a record that had stood since 1939 when an Australian cattle dog lived to be 29 years and five months old.
Karen Becker, a veterinarian who met Bobi several times, was the first to announce his death on social media. 'Godspeed, Bobi'.
“Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough for those who loved him,” she said.
Bobi was officially recognised as the world's oldest dog in February.
His breed, traditionally employed as sheepdogs, usually has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
His owner, Leonel Costa, attributed Bobi's remarkable longevity to several factors.
He lived in a peaceful countryside environment, was never chained or leashed, and was consistently fed "human food."
Bobi's story of survival was remarkable as he was born during a time when Costa's family had many animals and limited resources.
Typically, newborn puppies were buried due to their financial constraints.
However, Bobi managed to hide among a stack of firewood.
A few days later, Costa and his siblings discovered him, keeping him a secret until he opened his eyes.
“We knew that when he opened his eyes, my parents wouldn’t be able to bury him,” Costa told Reuters earlier this year.
As Bobi approached his final days, he still enjoyed leisurely walks but had become less adventurous.
His fur had thinned, his eyesight had deteriorated, and he required more rest than his younger days.
Guinness World Records had previously described Bobi's story as "miraculous" and has expressed that he will be deeply missed.
Over 100 people celebrated his 31st birthday in May, a testament to his impact on the lives of those who knew him.
