An Abandoned Dog Found in a Parking Lot Turns Out To Be the World’s Oldest Dog

By: Tyler Connaghan | Last updated: Nov 02, 2023

Who doesn’t like a success story from a once-neglected dog who ends up finding a home with a loving and caring family?

Not only was this ‘severely neglected’ chihuahua lucky enough to find himself a loving family, but he would also become a Guinness World Record holder down the line. 

Spike Holds the Record for the World’s Oldest Dog

Spike, a small chihuahua mix, recently won the official Guinness World Record for being the oldest living dog.

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Source: Guinness World Records

Despite having a relatively hard life as a little chihuahua, Spike beat the odds and is currently living today as a happy and healthy 23-year-old with a loving family and an exciting daily life. 

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Rita Discovered Spike Abandoned in a Supermarket Car Park

Rita Kimball discovered Spike abandoned in a supermarket car park back in August of 2009.

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Source: Guinness World Records

She noted that he was looking severely neglected, and she wanted to help. Where most people would have likely called animal control to come to pick up a dog like Spike or done nothing at all, Rita felt that there was something special about this little chihuahua. 

She Opened the Car Door To See If He Would Come With Her

Kimball said that despite the poor condition Spike was in, the minute she opened up the door, he jumped up on the seat, almost asking her to take him with her. 

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Source: Guinness World Records

Rita said it was as if Spike knew where they were going and that what would become their long-lasting relationship was meant to be. Spike wanted a home, and Rita wanted to provide. 

Rita Knew When She Found Spike, It Was Meant to Be

Within moments of being in the car, it was clear that Spike needed a comfortable environment to live in and a family to take care of him.

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Source: Guinness World Records

Of course, she knew she couldn’t simply take a random animal that she found wandering around in a parking lot without inquiring if it belonged to anyone nearby. 

Before Leaving, She Checked Inside to See If He Had Owners

Before zooming off back to her home, she decided to go into the grocery store and ask the clerk if there was a chance the dog belonged to somebody. 

Source: Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images

According to the clerk in the grocery store, Spike had been wandering around the parking lot for about three days. He continued hanging out there because the employees at the grocery store were feeding him scraps. 

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He Was In Very Rough Condition

Kimball noted that his condition was extremely rough.

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Source: Hope For Paws/ YouTube

He had blood stains around his neck where a rope or chain had likely been, and most of the hair had been shaved off of his back. It was clear that whoever was taking care of Spike before had been doing a poor job at it, and Rita felt like she needed to intervene.

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Rita Decided ‘Spike’ Was the Perfect Name

Because he did not have a nametag, Rita had to come up with something to call this little chihuahua.

Source: Guinness World Records

She decided to name him ‘Spike’ after the cartoon dog from the Looney Tunes series, a dog that was known for its larger size and aggressive disposition. For such a sweetheart like little Spike, it was certainly in irony. 

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14 Years After He Was Discovered, He Made Himself at Home with a Caring Family

It has been about 14 years since Spike was first discovered in that parking lot, and he has made quite an impression on the Kimball family.

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Source: Guinness World Records

From the moment he arrived at their Ohio home, he became a beloved family member, making himself right at home with everyone in the household. 

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Spike Hangs Out with the Animals on the Kimball’s Farm

The Kimball family owns a farm, and he enjoys hanging out with the many animals on it.

Source: WHIO TV

He’ll often wake up around 7 am and spend time hanging out with his other animal friends, including a few horses, cows, and barn cats. Unlike his time spent abandoned many years ago, Spike has made several close friends with which he can enjoy each day. 

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He Is Now Well Past His Youth

These days, Spike is well past his youth. He is certainly not as nimble as he used to be, is almost blind in both eyes, and is very hard of hearing. 

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Source: WHIO TV

Even still, he enjoys doing dog things, such as running around the farm and chasing barn cats when he can muster up enough energy to do so. 

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He Eats Like a King Too!

The funniest element about Spike’s new life is that he has acquired a taste for the finer things. 

Source: Guinness World Records

One of his favorite meals to have for dinner is braunschweiger with cheese. Sometimes, the family will even give him some chips to indulge in, and after such a rough life, he surely deserves to enjoy living it up at the Kimball residence. 

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Little Spike Isn’t a Freeloader, Though!

The Kimball family says that Spike does his fair share to help them with chores around the house and the farm.

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Source: Guinness World Records

Spike will keep the family company, riding along on the tractor when someone needs to do fieldwork. He also enjoys spending time with the Kimball family when they cut wood. In many ways, he has become the Kimball family’s little helper. 

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He Has Been a Fighter All His Life

Spike has been a fighter for most of his life, and some of his wounds make it clear that he has survived several attacks from multiple animals.

Source: WHIO TV

Even when he was given a low chance of survival by veterinarians, Spike mustered up the will to fight back. At only nine inches tall and just under 13 pounds, it’s easy to underestimate Spike. However, he has made it abundantly clear that he is a strong little chihuahua. 

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Rita Thought Spike Might be a Guinness World Record Holder

It wasn’t until the family was watching an episode of Jimmy Fallon one night that they realized Spike might be a world record holder.

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Source: WHIO TV

A dog named Pebbles made it onto Jimmy Fallon, as Pebbles was the former title holder for the Guinness World Record of ‘oldest living dog.’ Even the Kimball family knew that Spike was older than Pebbles, so they decided to submit an application. 

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Now, The Family Is Excited to Celebrate His Life

Rita and her family were incredibly surprised to find out how old Spike was relative to the oldest dog in the world at that time. 

Source: WHIO TV

It was especially exciting, as they knew how much heartbreak he had been through in his time on this Earth. The family wanted to make sure that they celebrated his longevity in the best way possible. 

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Who Knew He Was the Oldest Dog in the World?

Rita noted that most of the family knew Spike was a pretty old dog, though nobody had any idea that he was anywhere close to being the oldest dog in existence.

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Source: WHIO TV

If it wasn’t for the love and care that Rita and the Kimball family gave to Spike, he probably would have never made it to his old age. Now, he holds a pretty cool title. 

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Spike Is Now Somewhat of a Celebrity

The family says that they look at Spike like a little celebrity at this point.

Source: Guinness World Records

Obviously, Spike has no idea that he took the title of the oldest dog in the world, though so many people know who Spike is because of it. The family was blown away that he had lived this long as it is. 

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He Now Makes the Best of Every Day

Now, Spike makes the most of living every single day. 

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Source: WHIO TV

The family believes that he recognizes the rewards he has now in his older years. They think that Spike is still here because of having to build resilience from his terrible life at first, though he now lives with his strength in a world of comfort and love. 

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The Previous Record Holder Was Gino Wolf

The previous Guinness World Record holder for the ‘oldest dog in the world’ was Gino Wolf. Gino was verified at his home in Los Angeles, California, shortly after Pebbles passed on November 15, 2022.

Source: Guinness World Records

At that point, Gino was 22 years and 52 days old. He was also a chihuahua mix. 

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Most Chihuahuas Live Between 12 and 20 Years

Like many other small breeds, chihuahuas live relatively long lives.

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Source: Peter Tsai Photography/ Contributor

While different authorities site varying average lifespans, the general consensus is that most Chihuahuas will live anywhere between 12 and 20 years. The fact that Spike was well outside this range showed that he was quite special and a statistical anomaly. 

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Scientists Are Unsure Why Smaller Dogs Live Longer

There are some speculations as to why smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs, though studies have not proven anything yet.

Source: Peter Tsai Photography/ Contributor

One of these speculations is that because larger breeds age quicker and grow faster than smaller breeds, they are likely to experience abnormal cancer cell growth, which can wreak havoc on their immune systems. 

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Chihuahuas Surprisingly Have Many Health Problems

Though they are some of the longest-living dogs, they are susceptible to several health problems. 

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Source: MSPCA-Angel/ Boston.com

In their later years, these little dogs often suffer from obesity and dental problems. Some more serious issues include osteoarthritis, hypoglycemia, patellar luxation, hydrocephalus, collapsed tracheas, and general heart conditions, all of which can drastically shorten their lifespans. 

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Good Ownership and Care Is Important for Chihuahuas

While it is certainly not possible to protect a chihuahua from the many threats of their surrounding environments and their own health, there are many ways in which good ownership can extend their lifespans.

Source: seattlepi.com

Implementing a number of care practices can ensure chihuahuas live long and happy lives.

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Giving Your Chihuahua a Long Life

If you are a chihuahua owner, there are a number of steps experts say you can take to protect them.

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Source: Unsplash

Some of these steps include getting your puppy vaccinated, getting them a collar with an ID tag, keeping them on a leash when outdoors, feeding them nutritious foods, visiting the vet often, and making sure they get plenty of exercise. 

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Who Knows? Your Pup Could Be a Future Record Holder!

The Kimball family had no intention of making Spike a Guinness World Record Holder.

Source: WHIO TV

From the moment he showed up at their home, their priority was to take care of him and show him that he could enjoy his newfound life. It just so happens that their care and love meant longevity for Spike. 

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