This has to be one of my favourite and saddest stories of 2023. Favourite because I cannot believe that a dog lived to the ripe age of thirty-one. And saddest because he has sadly passed away. I have always believed that, besides exercise and food, dogs live on love. They give so much of it unconditionally, that if they receive it in return they will live as long as they need to.
He was a purebred of the Rafeiro do Alentejo breed named Bobi. This breed normally has a life expectancy of between twelve and fourteen years. The Portuguese government’s pet database and the National Union of Veterinarians confirmed his birth date.
He beat the record previously held by Bluey, aged 29 years and five months, an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939. Bobi lived in the small rural village of Conqueiros in Portugal. His long life was attributed to being fed regular food eaten by his owners and roaming free around the land of the Costa family.
The loss of a pet is always devastating to any family but in this case, I am sure they still miss him terribly but realise how blessed they were for their beautiful dog to live for more than twice his normal life span.
They really are our furry angels. They are happy to give and receive lots of love and cuddles once they are fed a nutritious diet and exercised regularly.
All the best
Stay fab
Adele
