Toby just popped a Guinness record
One of the world’s speediest dogs is now — officially — the world’s fastest canine balloon popper.
Toby the whippet, age 9, beat the Guinness World Record on Sunday for popping 100 balloons in the fastest time, a record previously held by Twinkie the Jack Russell terrier.
With 39.08 seconds the time to beat, the feisty, fawn-coloured whippet used his teeth, claws and entire wriggling body to pop all 100 balloons in just 36.25 seconds.
“I am very relieved,” said owner Christie Springs, who hoisted Toby in the air to a cheering crowd at the Shawnessy YMCA Sunday.
“We knew it was going to be a good event no matter what happened, but to know that we got a crack at that title is just a thrill.”
Springs said Toby’s obsession with balloons started five years ago when he came across a lone balloon in the family’s backyard. The lean, little whippet was so fond of balloons (well, popping them at least) that Springs even threw him a special pool party, filling up their outdoor pool with balloons so Toby could have a swim and a pop.
“We saw the video of the current world record holder and thought we could do that, too,” Springs said with a laugh. With a world record now under his belt, Springs said Toby will take a break before getting back to his normal routine of napping and performing at schools and seniors’ homes. Winning the hearts of all who’ve been witness to the whippet’s wild balloon popping, Springs said he’s even been invited to the grand reopening of the Firefighters Museum of Calgary in May.