World's oldest living dog dies at the age of 22: 'Pebbles lived a long happy life full of love'

The world's oldest living dog has passed away at the age of 22. Pebbles the toy fox terrier, "peacefully passed away from natural causes at her home in Taylors, South Carolina, with her owners Bobby and Julie Gregory by her side" on Monday, October 3, the Guinness World Records announced. Pebbles' 23rd birthday was just five months away. The canine earned the title of "Oldest Dog Living" in May this year when she was 22 years and 50 days old. She bagged the title shortly after Guinness World Records crowned TobyKeith, a 21-year-old Chihuahua from Florida, as the oldest living dog and the news reached the Gregorys.

"Bobby was sitting on the couch and friends and family started texting and calling about a story they saw about a 21-year-old dog getting the record," Julie told Guinness World Records at the time. "When I saw TobyKeith's story all over the news, I applied." After they submitted the paperwork showing Pebbles' March 2000 birthdate, Julie's application was confirmed by Guinness World Records and the tiny dog took the crown. According to a press release from Pebbles' owners, the canine was born on March 28, 2000, in Long Island NY. "Pebbles lived a long happy life full of love. In 2007 her family moved to Taylors, South Carolina, where she spent the remainder of her life," the statement revealed.

"In her early years, she loved to play and run. Weighing in at just 4lbs most of her life, you would never know how strong she was just by looking at her. She had 32 puppies in her life with her partner Rocky. Her male partner dog the late Rocky (2016) and she shared many years of companionship. She spent her days enjoying country music and being loved. She enjoyed trying new foods, she was pampered, and most of all she was loved," it added.

"It has been said, she has given us more than we have ever given her, and no statement could be truer. She impacted everyone she encountered. Pebbles was not just another dog; she had her own way about her, and her own personality. She was a once-in-a-lifetime companion, and it was our honor to have had the blessing to have had her as a pet, and family member. There was never anyone who met Pebbles that didn't love her. She will be deeply missed. Thank you to everyone for your love and support for Pebbles throughout her life and her journey. She will forever be in our hearts," Bobby and Julie Gregory wrote. Guinness World Records is yet to announce a new record holder for the "Oldest Dog Living" title. An Australian shepherd named Bluey—who lived to be over 29 years old — holds the record for the oldest dog ever.