The "World's Oldest Dog Turns 31" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just picked up my morning paper at the front door.  I might have mentioned that my newspaper guy stands the paper against the front door so that when I open the door, it falls into the living room.  Well, I have become accustomed to the paper falling right into my hand and will have a hard time if I ever have to have another paper guy in the future. Took the paper and parked myself on my recliner and began searching the pages of my LNP to see what might have happened in the past day or two in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Flipped open the front page and there on page two was the saddest looking dog starring right back at me.  Title of the story read..."World's oldest dog turns 31."  By-line read Conqueiros, Portugal.  Seems that the Guinness World Record for being the oldest dog goes to Bobi, a 31 year old purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese dog.  Bobi recently celebrated his 31st birthday.  He celebrated his birthday during a party this past Saturday at his home in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros where he has lived his entire life.  More than 100 people attended the "very traditional" Portuguese party according to his owner Leonel Costa.  Bobi eats only human food and celebrated with meats and fish.  Bobi seems to be a "one of a kind."  One of the biggest contributing factors for Bobi living so long is the "calm, peaceful environment in which he lives.  He has never been chained or placed on a leash.  He has never been lonely being he has grown up surrounded by many other animals.  He does find it difficult to walk so he just hangs around his backyard at his home.  He does bump into things, just as old-age humans do.  He usually lies down in bed after eating or heads to the fireplace for a nap by the fire.  His age has been verified by a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government.  Bobi's owner is 38, just 8 years older than Bobi.  Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of his family and unfortunately are no longer alive anymore.  Bobi represents several generations of his past.  How much longer he may live is uncertain, but he certainly has lived a lengthy life until now.  My family has had quite a few dogs for pets, but none have ever lived to be half the length that Bobi has lived.  It will be interesting to see how old Bobi will live to be.  Could he perhaps outlive his latest owner?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.