For the first time this year, a raffia do Alentejo dog named Bobi, who lived with his family in Portugal for 31 years, has been recognized as the world’s oldest dog by Guinness World Records.

The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a Portuguese farm dog breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, but Bobi lived more than twice that long.

Sadly, the record holder has died: veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker reported the death of the elderly pet over the weekend.

Dr. Karen Becker said, ” This sweet boy found his wings last night.

” He outlived every dog in history, but his 11,478 days on earth will never be enough for those who loved him.

” Godspeed, Bobi … You taught the world everything you had to teach.”

Bobi on the farm in Portugal, where he lived with owner Leonel Costa. 

Bobi’s owner, Leonel Costa, has taken care of Bobi since he (i.e., Leonel) was eight years old and explained how he has managed to keep his canine companion by his side for so long.

According to Costa, the fact that Bobi lived in a “calm, peaceful environment” away from the cities probably helped him live longer.

He noted that Bobi “ate what we ate” and was never on a chain or leash.

Bobi the dog turned 31 in May, just a few months after he was named the world’s oldest dog for being such a good boy for so long.

This broke the record of the Australian dog Bluey, who lived for 29 years and five months.

Living 31 years, Bobi almost met his fate when he was still a puppy after Costa’s parents planned to put him to sleep.

By all accounts, Bobi was a very good boy.  

However, Bobi lagged behind the rest of the litter, and Leonel kept him a secret from his family for two weeks.

After they learned that their son had kept Bobi, they “yelled and chastised us for a long time” but finally decided not to put the dog to sleep, as the puppy’s eyes had opened, and they decided that he was now a family member.

Bobi subsequently lived with Leonel and his family until this weekend when he learned of his tragic passing after a suitable boy had a good night out.

Goodbye, good old boy.