Henry the rat terrier has officially entered super-senior status.
The rescue pup celebrated his 25th birthday on Jan. 15—a milestone that could make him eligible for the title of the world’s oldest living dog. His mom, Lori Larson of Max’s Animal Rescue in Hoboken, Georgia, is currently in the process of applying through Guinness World Records, gathering the required DNA testing and years of veterinary records.
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Henry Celebrates His 25th Birthday
While Henry’s milestone birthday is undoubtedly impressive, his story is about much more than a number. Larson first met Henry in January 2010 when he was nine years old and living in dire conditions at an overwhelmed backyard breeding operation. After receiving a call from a Georgia official warning that the dogs’ lives were at risk, she rushed to the location.
Larson agreed to bring all 29 dogs to Max’s Animal Rescue, the nonprofit, no-kill sanctuary she and her husband, Jim Larson, founded in 2007. Before long, that number nearly doubled to 60 when several of the pregnant dogs she rescued gave birth.
Over time, most of the dogs found homes, but Henry did not. When he arrived, he was unsocialized, frightened and could barely tolerate human touch. But she refused to give up on him. At Max’s Animal Rescue, animals aren’t euthanized for space, and that commitment gave Henry the time he needed.
Over several years, Henry relaxed and opened up, and today, Larson calls him a “little gentleman” who feels safest curled up in her lap.
A Super Senior With a Mission
At 25, Henry is blind and being treated for pulmonary hypertension (he even has his own cardiologist and pulmonologist!). But senior care doesn’t come cheap. Specialist visits, medications, routine blood work and dental procedures can quickly add up. Larson says Henry’s specialist visits cost at least $1,100 per visit.
That’s why instead of simply celebrating his longevity, Henry is using his milestone birthday to shine a light on a larger issue: senior dogs in rescue.
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While puppies and emergency rescues often attract the most donations, senior rescue dogs can quietly accumulate significant medical bills over time. Through his “Henry the Old Dog” social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and TikTok) and a GoFundMe fundraiser dedicated to his birthday, Henry is helping raise funds not only for his own care, but also for the other seven long-stay senior dogs currently cared for at Max’s Animal Rescue.
In the long run, the Larsons hope to raise six figures so they can create grants for other shelters, helping cover the medical costs of senior, long-term residents and giving more aging pets the chance to live out their golden years with comfort and care.
Whether or not Guinness officially crowns Henry the world’s oldest living dog, one thing is certain: his life is already record-breaking in another way.
From frightened breeder dog to 25-year-old advocate for senior pets, Henry’s story is proof that rescue dogs, no matter their age, still have plenty of love (and purpose) left to give.
Related: Rescued Pit Bull’s First ‘Girl Time’ Moment Is the Sweetest
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.