*takes off glasses, wipes single tear from cheek*

It is with a very heavy heart that I report that yesterday, at the age of 26 years and 8 months, Pusuke the Shiba Inu passed away at his home in Japan. Early reports indicate that Pusuke died from natural causes – adorable, furry natural causes. Last December, Pusuke became not only a legend in his own country, but also the world, when he was named the World’s Oldest Dog by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Pusuke is the ninth oldest dog in recorded history, as the oldest dog ever was a 29-year old Australian cattle dog named Bluey. But Pusuke almost didn’t even make it to accept his title last year, as he had been hit by a car and nearly killed only weeks before. You can take Pusuke’s balls, but you can’t take his balls.

As for his final moments…

Pusuke refused to eat and also had difficulty breathing, before peacefully passing away in the afternoon. Ms. Shinohara arrived home just five minutes before Pusuke died, after she was out running errands.

Shinohara, 42, said: “I think (Pusuke) waited for me to come home.

“I was with Pusuke for 26 years and I felt as if he was my child. I thank him for living so long with me.”

(Via Digital Journal)

The great Jack Donaghy once said, “For God’s sake, if we can put an ear on a mouse’s back, we can certainly make a peacock immortal.” I like to think that goes for dogs, too.