World records are going to the dogs

Dear Readers, The Guinness Book of World Records has just added a new star named Bobi. He recently celebrated his 31st birthday making him the world’s oldest dog. Bobi is a Rafeiro do Alentejo, a popular Portuguese dog breed.

Over 100 guests attended his birthday party. The menu included meats and fish with extra servings for Bobi, who only eats human food. After dinner, he performed with a dance troupe and then promptly fell asleep.

His owner Leonel Costa was 8 years old when Bobi was born. The Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria registered and verified the birth in 1992. Costa has owned several senior dogs, including Bobi’s mother, who lived to age 18.

Costa attributes the calm, peaceful environment in their village as one of the factors influencing Bobi’s long life. He has never been chained or leashed and freely roamed the forests. Animals and friendly folks fill his days. He is slowing down but still loves living!

It sounds like he would be an excellent ambassador for The Dog Longevity Project out of the University of Washington. This institution focuses on prolonging healthy lives for dogs.

Geroscience is the biology of aging, and researchers have made tremendous strides in slowing aging and extending the lifespan of smaller mammals. The Dog Aging Project is in its seventh year of research, and the results have been favorable. Scientists are testing rapamycin, a drug approved by the FDA for use in humans.

Rapamycin improves cognitive function, cardio-vascular performance, and immunity in dogs. Imagine adding five more years of active healthy life to your dog’s life. This is exactly what the scientists are shooting for; they want to extend the time of life when the body is at peak performance.

If you would be interested in enrolling your dog in the study, go to dogagingproject.com.

Your dog may not live to be 31, but every extra day with your BFF is a gift.

ATTENTION

We will be at American Car Wash on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to wash and dry your car. Come by and support CAPS.

LOOKING FOR A HOME

We have two handsome one-year-old male puppies. BG and Diego are anxiously waiting to find their forever homes. We also have six Border Collie mix puppies five-months-old and 10 tabby kittens in shades of gray. Come and check them out; they are cute.

IN NEED OF

• Items for the CAPS garage sale. Call 775-423-7500 to have your items picked up.

• Volunteers to help pick up garage sale items.

• Bleach and cleaning supplies for our kennels.

• Funds to sustain the shelter. We have veterinary, food, and utility bills. Any contribution will be helpful.

• Would you like to foster animals? We need volunteers. Call 775-423-7500 for details.

• Dog walkers, we need consistent volunteers to walk and socialize our dogs. Call 775-423-7500 for details.

• Aluminum cans. We will pick up your cans; give us a call at 775-423-7500. You can also drop them off at CAPS.

SHOUT OUT TO

• American Car Wash for sponsoring the CAPS car wash. All tails are wagging for you!

• Lahontan Valley News for giving CAPS a voice in the community. Pooch smooches to you!

COME SEE US

CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.

DON’T FORGET

• August Holiday: International Assistance Dog Week is Aug. 6-12.

• If you would like a newsletter, call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.

• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.

Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.