But for this little dog called Lilly, it was a birthday like no other as this one saw her turn 24, making her the world’s oldest dog.
Birthday celebrations
Rescued from a layby on the motorway to Reggio Calabria as a puppy in 2000, Lilly’s birthday bash was a family affair at her Torre Annuziata home near Naples, Italy, on New Year’s Day.
Anna Cutrupi, Lilly’s owner, baked a special cake with the number 112, representing her equivalent age in human years.
Described as a daughter to Anna, Lilly has become an integral part of the Acanforas family, providing companionship after the loss of Anna’s husband. Though she’s undoubtedly showing her age, Lilly is in good health and spirits, enjoying a menu that includes fish, kibble, and canned meat.
Guinness Book of Records
Lilly’s birthday milestone is all the more impressive as the average life expectancy for most dogs is 8-15 years.
Lilly’s owners are now preparing to apply for her to be included in the Guinness Book of Records, having taken the crown of world’s oldest dog from Bobi, a Portuguese dog who held the world’s oldest dog record at 31 before recently passing away having originally been found in an outhouse in 1992. Bobi’s longevity was verified by his vet and a government-approved pet database.
Happy Birthday, Lilly!
