A GORGEOUS Chihuahua has found fame following being declared the oldest living dog in the world by the Guinness Book of Records.
The owner of the aging dog has revealed the secret to his longevity.
Who is the oldest Florida Chihuahua dog in the world?
The four-legged friend called TobyKeith was born on January 9, 2001, which makes him 21 years old.
Guinness World Records verified and confirmed TobyKeith’s title on March 16, when the dog was 21 years and 66 days old.
He survived the normal Chihuahua lifespan, which can range from 12 to 18 years.
The tan Chihuahua is a big brother to Luna, a seven-year-old American Bulldog and Lala, a three-year-old Chinese Crested.
To commemorate his new status, TobyKeith was treated to a splash in a bath, got his nails trimmed and went for a special car ride.
Who are the Florida Chihuahua owners?
TobyKeith’s owner is Gisela Shore of Greenacres, Florida.
She believes the secret to the animal’s long life is regular exercise and a nutritious diet of vegetables, rice and chicken without sugary treats.
She said she also believes that healthy genetics and a caring environment are the keys to her “great old age.”
“When he turned 20, everyone’s reaction was WOW! My friends and family thought he was the oldest dog they knew,” Shore told Guinness World Records.
TobyKeith has heart disease, but that doesn’t slow him down much.
TobyKeith was just a few months old when Shore, an animal rescue volunteer, adopted him from a local shelter.
His original name was Peanut Butter, but was changed shortly following joining Shore’s family.
“I was a volunteer at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue and one of the staff told me regarding an elderly couple trying to return a puppy because they mightn’t take care of him anymore,” Shore said.
Shore added that she has taken in more than 150 dogs and puppies from Peggy Adams Animal Rescue, where she met TobyKeith all those years ago.
Additionally, Gisela has two parrots, Coqui, a 32-year-old African Gray and Coco, a 28-year-old Umbrella Cockatoo who is TobyKeith’s best friend.
