World's oldest living dog dies at 26 - the equivalent to more than 125 human years

DailyMail ^ | December 6, 2011 | Anthony Bond

[OldPossum]

I had read a couple years ago that the world’s oldest dog had been an Australian cattledog that lived to 26. Corrections, anyone?

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF

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[PzLdr]

Tht is an INSULT to ALL Canids. Swine, not so much.

[theycallmemom]

We had one live to 19. My parents got a puppy right after they got married. They had me 2 years later. Dusty died when I was 17. He was 19. First time I saw my dad cry.

[JouleZ]

I had to put down my little cocker this summer at 191/2 years. I got her from the Humane Society when she was 2. Very sad but it was her time.

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[Brad’s Gramma]

LOL!!!

[Ditter]

The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sister I beg you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie,
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head,
Never the less it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When 14 years which nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumor or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find it's your own affair
But....... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With it's whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone...wherever it goes.. for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept’em, the more we do grieve.

For when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short time loan is as bad as a long.
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Would we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

[freekitty]

Thanks Ditter.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

My family has had both a Chiba Ainu and a cattle dog. Both are great pets. I hope Maddy the cattle dog lives a long time. :)

[Vermont Lt]

I just got a puppy. So there is balance in the world.

It sucks when your dog dies.

[Slings and Arrows]

Shesh, what did swine ever do to you?

[docnakona]

Great story. We really miss our Aussie who died at 15

FTA:
The previous record was held by a 28-year-old beagle which died in the U.S. in 2003

Ummm.... how did this 26 year old dog beat the PREVIOUS record of a 28 year old beagle?

[algernonpj]

Beautiful poem. thanks for posting

[Ditter]

You are welcome. I am not a big poetry lover but this one speaks to me very powerfully.

[brytlea]

I knew a guy who had a golden (he was a steward for dog shows in Dallas) who was about 19 when he died (the dog was 19, I mean). The guy died a year or two before the dog. It was sad, but sort of appropriate since they were inseparable.