A cocker spaniel slotted the Guinness World Record for the most coins deposited in a piggy bank in one minute. Leo managed to impress judges by dropping 23 10p coins in the piggy bank in just 60 seconds - averaging one coin every 2.5 seconds and beating the previous record of 18.
The four-year-old pooch has been training with owner Emily Anderson for the last two years dropping slobber-covered coins into a piggy bank in return for treats. But the 32-year-old reckons pre-comp prep involving a relaxing massage and reiki training ensured he was able to put his best paw forward on the day.
Leo was awarded the record last month [May 25th] after wowing judges and witnesses at Logie Durno Village Hall in Aberdeen on February 24th. But this isn't the first skill Leo's shown aptitude for, with the clever pooch mastering painting, tennis and even performing CPR on humans.
Since scooping the award Leo's been showered with gifts, treats and a lavish shopping spree in Pets at Home. Emily, from Aberdeen, Scotland, said: "I was so chuffed with it.
"It'd been in the pipeline for quite a while. Just over two years ago the idea first crossed my mind and we decided we'd like to give it a try." The training involved lots of treats. "I made sure to not ask too much of him, I wanted to make sure he enjoyed it and not push him too far.
"I'd hold the coins, put a coin down next to him, he'd pick it up and put it in the piggy bank. Over the last two years I've had to dry so many 10p coins.
"They get absolutely covered in saliva each time he picks them up and then they're hard to pick up, so they need to be dried again. I actually didn't think we'd got it because he'd accidentally knocked the piggy bank over and I touched it to set it up again.
"We read the rules though, and it didn't say anything about me touching the piggy bank. I was really anxious in the 12-week wait, thinking 'have we got it? Have we not?'
"When we got it, I actually couldn't believe it. I was just really happy and relieved, it was really stressful. I thought 'thank god we won't have to do it again'."
Leo's now able to put his paws up from counting coins and is looking forward to a summer filled with walks and swimming. Emily said: "He's had a trip to Pets at Home where he selected lots of things.
"He's got jars of peanut butter, he's got treats, new toys. He knows, he's been going round to people like 'I'm a Guinness world record holder. Pat me'.
"He's just done his painting too. He's good at skipping. He plays with wooden toys. Hopscotch, tennis, ping pong. Now it's done, I'm never doing it again. He's going to enjoy some walks and lots of swimming trips over the summer as he loves swimming."
Emily posted Leo's achievement to Facebook, writing: "Leo has some very special news to share...... he is now officially a Guinness World Record holder!! Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen - there is a mammoth amount of paperwork and evidence required! I knew from very early on he was very, very special! I never imagined he'd get a Guinness World Record though!"
