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What Pax and I discovered spending two days
with the 31-year-old canine, Bobi
I awakened unusually early as we speak, compelled by a unprecedented story I wished to share. It is about spending two days with the oldest canine on the planet, Bobi, and his outstanding household.
After I acquired the invitation to attend the party of the world’s oldest canine, I used to be initially a bit unsure. I had beforehand dedicated to visiting my buddy and fellow canine lover, Michelle, and her household, within the UK.
Nonetheless, understanding the distinctive alternative, she graciously agreed to reschedule our assembly.
So, I discovered myself on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, stuffed with pleasure and anticipation. I had no concept what to anticipate. I solely knew I might be a part of my expensive buddies, Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib, and drive to a small village close to Leiria, Portugal.
Assembly Bobi and his household
Deliberately, I did not analysis any details about Bobi’s household to make the assembly extra of a shock.
Getting into the farm gate, we walked by way of fresh-cut grass and fragrant rosemary branches that Bobi’s dad, Leonel, unfold round. The scent was beautiful.
Within the courtyard, Bobi, the visitor of honor, greeted us. Regardless of his superior age and slower tempo, his eyes sparkled with life, extending us and Pax a heat, silent welcome.
I noticed a quiet understanding go between them as if Bobi mentioned: “I’m able to go on all I’ve discovered to you so to share my knowledge additional.”
Pax is now 4 years outdated, which implies Bobi has lived nearly eight occasions so long as him!
Earlier than the official birthday occasion started, they handled us to a conventional Portuguese lunch with darkish bread, contemporary salad, Dorado, and sardines barbecued to perfection. A refreshing fruit salad fabricated from orange, peach, and cantaloupe melon accomplished the meal.
As the opposite company started to reach — a gaggle of roughly 100 individuals, together with eighty from the media — the occasion’s significance actually hit me. How loopy that Pax and I have been among the many few fortunate individuals to rejoice the birthday of the world’s oldest canine!
But, the environment was fantastically easy and unpretentious. Even the media personnel, typically recognized for his or her intrusive presence, seamlessly blended in.
The simplicity of the day was such a nice shock.
Amidst a world the place grandeur typically overshadows authenticity, this occasion was totally different. Perhaps Bobi, Leonel, and Donna Maria’s power remodeled everybody. I am not sometimes a fan of massive gatherings, however this one felt very particular. Because the celebration rolled on, Bobi appeared to comply with Pax often. Like a sensible instructor insisting on his pupil studying the ropes, whereas Pax, the stressed pup, was busy sniffing out meals dropped from the grill.
Photograph credit score Dr. Karen BeckerBecause the day heated up, once in a while, Bobi properly retreated into the kitchen, the place he made his rounds to Rodney, Dr. Becker, and me as we sat on the kitchen flooring. Every time, he acquired a little bit therapeutic massage and a rub which he appeared to understand.
You could be questioning: What does Bobi eat? Does he see a vet? How lengthy is he anticipated to reside? Why is not he grey? Is he neutered? Is that this all true?
Some skeptics counsel Bobi is a hoax, however that is not the case. His age has been verified by telomere testing and a overview of his medical information by Guinness World Data.
As for his food regimen, Bobi eats a mixture of uncooked and cooked meat and fish, mixed with primarily uncooked natural greens from the backyard. Leonel instructed me they by no means purchase produce from the shop. As a substitute, every little thing they want grows of their backyard, or if the neighbours are prepared to commerce!
To my shock, Bobi additionally eats cooked onions with none sick results, even though we have all been instructed that it could trigger hemolytic anemia in canine. Nicely, go determine!
Vet care and no grey hair?
Bobi does have a couple of vets taking care of him. He was in wonderful well being; sadly, he was handled with Bravecto a couple of years in the past because of fleas, and that’s when his head tilt appeared.
As to why Bobi is not grey, he probably carries a gene that forestalls graying. His longevity is more than likely a mixture of wholesome meals, loads of social interplay, and good genes.
Regardless of all this, Leonel and his mom, Donna Maria, remained affected person, protecting, and clear about their boundaries.
On Sunday, I talked to Leonel about how unprepared he feels for when Bobi will not be round anymore. I perceive him properly and know that you just, my expensive readers, do too.
Leonel’s openness touched me. We’re all afraid of the second our canine will not be with us anymore. All we will do is preserve looking for, researching, and discussing methods to delay their wholesome lives.
I like Leonel as a result of, regardless of his and Bobi’s fame, he lives a easy life in his humble farmhouse in a small village in Portugal. His openness and hospitality to us and others are undoubtedly real and honest.
Earlier than leaving, we mentioned Bobi’s care, notably his mobility and a small open development by his rear finish. I steered growing his Omega-3 consumption and shared my expertise with natural wound care.
After my return from Portugal, I used to be moved by your responses to Bobi’s story. Establishing a “Bobi and Leonel’s Gratitude Fund” appeared the proper technique to present our appreciation. Nonetheless, life has a manner of peculiar us.
Simply after I launched the fundraiser on GoFundMe, I spoke to Leonel, Bobi’s proprietor, who graciously insisted that he wouldn’t settle for any cash regardless of appreciating the gesture. He does not need individuals to assume their extraordinary bond might be tied to any type of monetary achieve.
And whereas it saddens me that our Neighborhood cannot categorical gratitude this fashion, I deeply respect Leonel’s choice, closed the marketing campaign and can refund the cash to the donors.
Whereas this will look like a setback, it’s nonetheless a possibility to rejoice Bobi’s life. We’ve got discovered invaluable classes about his care and pure food regimen and have been touched by their unbelievable bond.
ANOTHER WAY TO CELEBRATE!
In honor of Bobi’s extraordinary life, I’ve determined to make each tenth order ending with the quantity 7 on our web site at peterdobias.com FREE by receiving a present card within the worth of your order.
This supply applies to new orders solely, and repeated orders or refunds don’t qualify for this occasion. For those who’re a winner, you will discover out immediately on the time of buy! Please enable us 3 enterprise days to award you with the reward card. This particular ends on Monday, Could 22, 2023.
My supply right here is not nearly making somebody’s day with a free order; it is about spreading the love and making a optimistic ripple impact to rejoice all canine!
Wishing you a lot extra heartwarming adventures collectively!
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Peter Dobias
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