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.
The Heartwarming Story of a Woman’s Generosity Towards a Homeless Man and His Furry Companion Outside Walmart
As she gazed upon the sign, her heart felt heavy. In front of the Walmart, stood Patrick, a homeless man with a look of desperation in his eyes. However, unlike other beggars, he wasn’t holding up a placard begging for food or money for himself. Instead, his sign was requesting help for his closest friend. This scene touched her soul and inspired an act of kindness that could only be described as angelic.
In our society, it is not uncommon to see homeless people with their loyal pets by their side. While there are debates and criticisms regarding this practice, it usually only becomes an issue when the pet is put in danger. However, these individuals often go to great lengths to provide for their furry friends, making sure they are fed, sheltered, and have a place to call their own despite their living situation.
In Houston, Texas, a woman named Wilma Frice was touched by the sight of a homeless man standing outside Walmart. His sign was made from cardboard and read “Dog in pound, need help.” The message was simple, yet heart-breaking, as it showed the love and dedication of a pet owner who was experiencing tough times.
Patrick, a homeless person, wasn’t asking for help for his own benefit. He wasn’t looking for food or money from people who walked by him. Instead, he was making a plea to those with kind hearts to help his beloved companion, Franklin. Unfortunately, Franklin had been taken to the pound because Patrick couldn’t afford the $120 required to get him out.
Wilma Frice expressed her thoughts about meeting Patrick to People.com, describing him as a gentle and kind person who was going through tough times. She noticed a sadness in his eyes, similar to that of a young boy who had experienced a significant loss.
Upon receiving the necessary funds from Wilma, Patrick took to Facebook to express his gratitude and share a heartfelt message. As someone who is currently homeless, he was deeply moved by the kindness of Franklin and his owner. Patrick’s life’s work has been dedicated to helping homeless animals, and he hopes that his actions will inspire others to do the same. He reminds us that we all have the potential to experience difficult circumstances, and it’s essential to empathize with those who are struggling. Patrick is committed to ensuring that the animals he cares for have everything they need and never end up back on the streets. He feels grateful for the unconditional love he has received from these animals and hopes to continue making a difference in their lives.
Kindly take some time to spread this incredible story among your loved ones. It serves as a gentle nudge that extraordinary acts of kindness can come from unexpected sources. In times of need, an angel may just appear before us- just like what happened to this man.
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