Pets
'Forever In Our Hearts': LI's Pebbles, World's Oldest Dog, Dies At 22
The toy fox terrier, born on Long Island in March 2000, was not "just another dog," but had her "own way about her," family says.
TAYLORS, SC — Long Island native Pebbles, named the world’s oldest dog by the Guinness World Records, is getting her final bark out from fans this week.
The 22-year-old toy fox terrier who wiggled into our hearts died Monday, surrounded by her family in Taylors, South Carolina, five months shy of her 23rd birthday.
She was a faithful companion to her owners, Bobby and Julie Gregory, who were at her side when she passed from this Earth from natural causes.
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Born on March 28, 2000, on Long Island, Pebbles lived most of her life in relative obscurity, attaining internet fandom in May when Guinness World Records named her the oldest dog in the world.
The Gregorys spent Pebbles’ final day doting on her, as they had every day since she bounced into their hearts, and serenaded her with country music, according to an announcement of her death by Guinness World Records. Her favorite artists were Conway Twitty and Dwight Yocum.
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The Gregorys were looking for a larger dog when the pocket-sized pup, who never weighed more than four pounds her whole life, but had a “larger-than-life personality,” practically begged to be adopted, following and walking alongside Bobby at the shelter.
“It was instant love the second the two met,” Julie told Guinness.
Pebbles gave as good as she got.
“There was never anyone who met her that didn’t love her,” the Gregorys said in a press release on Instagram announcing Pebbles’ death on Tuesday.
She moved with her family to South Carolina in 2007 and was preceded in death by her partner, Rocky, also a toy fox terrier, in 2016. Together, the pair had 32 puppies.
She was a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable dog who lived her long life to the fullest, the Gregorys said.
She was the canine equivalent of a foodie and enjoyed being pampered.
“Most of all, she was loved,” her family said. “It has been said, she gave us more than we have ever given her, and no statement could be truer.”
More than “just another dog,” Pebbles “had her own way about her, and her own personality,” the Gregorys said.
“It was our honor to have had the blessing to have her as a pet and family member,” they said, adding, “she will be forever in our hearts.”
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