World's Oldest Dog, Bobi, Passes Away at 31

Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal, held the Guinness World Record for being the oldest living dog.

Bobi, a beloved purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, who was not only the world’s oldest living dog but also the oldest dog ever, passed away at the age of 31. His peaceful journey came to an end at his home in Portugal.

Dr. Karen Becker, a veterinarian who had the privilege of meeting Bobi several times, shared the sad news on social media. In her post, she wrote, “Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough for those who loved him.”

Bobi’s remarkable journey into the record books began in February when he officially became the world’s oldest living dog. He also set a new record for the oldest dog ever, surpassing the previous record held by Australia’s Bluey, who lived for 29 years and five months before passing away in 1939.

Bobi’s astounding age was authenticated by the Portuguese government’s pet database, managed by the National Union of Veterinarians.

Bobi spent his entire life with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, near Portugal’s west coast. He was one of four puppies born in an outbuilding. His fate was almost tragic when, due to an excess of animals, the Costa family considered putting the puppies down. However, Bobi managed to escape this fate.

Leonel Costa, who was eight years old at the time, and his brothers decided to keep Bobi a secret from their parents. It wasn’t until much later that Bobi was discovered and became an integral part of the Costa family. Bobi was fed the same food as the family and was cherished as a beloved family member.

While Bobi’s remarkable longevity was a testament to his well-cared-for life in a peaceful environment, his final years saw some health challenges. He struggled with mobility issues and worsening eyesight, which was not uncommon for a dog of his age.

Bobi’s impact extended beyond his incredible age. His mother also lived to be 18 years old, and another one of the Costa family’s dogs reached the impressive age of 22.

Although Bobi is no longer with us, his legacy as the world’s oldest dog will be remembered by dog lovers worldwide. The search for his successor as the world’s oldest living dog continues.

Credits: BBC