Lilly lives in Italy and is said to be the oldest dog in the world. The four-legged friend is said to owe her old age to one thing in particular.
Torre Annunziata – Dogs are man’s best friend. For many owners, the furry four-legged friends are more than just companions, but are practically part of the family. The owners of the dog Lilly, who, according to her own statements, is currently the oldest dog in the world, probably feel the same way.
Lilly is the oldest dog in the world: rescued from a motorway rest area 24 years ago
The birthday of the mixed-breed dog with dark fur and a light face was always celebrated on the first of January. It is not even clear to her owners exactly on what day she was born. However, one thing is certain for the owners: the dog has reached a new milestone and, at 24 years old, is likely to be the oldest dog in the world, the Italian news agency reported Ansa.
The party was celebrated after New Year's Eve in the municipality of Torre Annunziata near Naples, the third largest city in Italy. Lilly even got a cake. She spent New Year's Day in the bathroom out of fear of firecrackers and rockets. New Year's Eve can be particularly stressful for animals.
The start to the dog lady's life didn't always seem to have been so rosy. Shortly after her birth, Lilly was abandoned by her previous owners at a motorway service station in early January 2000. This is prohibited in Germany and can be punished with a fine or imprisonment of up to three years. “We rescued her at a gas station in 2000,” the Acanfora family told the Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno.
Oldest dog in the world celebrates birthday: entry into the Guinness Book of Records applied for
When the family couldn't find an owner, they adopted the dog. “She’s one of us,” the family told her Ansa. At 24 years old, the dog is now officially the oldest dog in the world. The family has applied for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.
So far, Bobi topped the list as the oldest dog in the world. However, he died in Portugal in October 2023. According to his owner, he was 31 years old. However, experts doubt whether Bobi was actually that old. “Not a single one of my veterinary colleagues believe that Bobi was actually 31 years old,” Royal Veterinary College councilor Danny Chambers told the Guardian.
After the dog Cicci also died one day before his 24th birthday last year, Lilly is currently the oldest dog in the world, the family continued. At one point, Pebbles was considered the oldest dog in the world, but died at the age of 22.
The oldest dog in the world lives in Italy: Nutrition plays an important role
How old a dog can get depends not only on the breed, but also on its living conditions and genetic requirements. Smaller dogs tend to get older than large dogs, the animal magazine reported A heart for animals. A Yorkshire Terrier would live to around 13 years on average, but could also live up to 20 years. Lilly's age is also based on information provided by her owners. However, the four-legged friend was examined by a veterinarian shortly after she was found in the motorway parking lot. He confirmed that the dog was only a few days old at the time.
So what's the secret to Lilly's above-average life expectancy? Apart from the affection that the family gives the dog, nutrition plays a crucial role. For the 24-year-old, there was a lot of fish, but canned meat was rare, said the family Corriere del Mezzogiorno. Regular exercise is also a guarantee for her old age, even if she now only moves very slowly. Dog Vince, on the other hand, ran away from his owners and disappeared for months, and is now looking for a new home.
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