Tightrope walking dog one (of many) for the record books
Ozzy, a border collie/kelpie crossbreed, has entered the world famous tome for achieving the Fastest Crossing of a Tightrope by a Dog.
The four-year-old, a native of Anglesey, North Wales, crossed a 3.5m (11.4ft) rope in 18.22 seconds at the Faith Animal Rescue Centre in Norfolk.
Ozzy now lives in Norwich with his owner, 51-year-old carpenter Nick Johnson, who has no formal dog training experience but learned the techniques from the internet.
Mr Johnson said: “As Ozzy’s parents are working sheepdogs on a farm, it’s in his blood to want to work closely with me.
“Ozzy is most happy when he’s working on the tricks that we do and regards it as a game.
“We also only practice when Ozzy is in the mood, after he’s done all his important dog stuff, like sniffing around and meeting other dogs.”
James Brown, of Hucknall in Nottingham, also swept into the book for having the Largest Collection of Vacuum Cleaners — a whopping 322 models.
So vast is the eccentric 33-year-old’s collection he has opened his own museum.
Mr Brown’s interest began when he was four. But he had to wait until he was eight before his parents bought him his first real model.
The majority of the machines are not valuable but certain models are more prized because they are genuinely rare, such as some of his Kirby and Scott & Fetzer machines.
Asked if he would celebrate his achievement by plugging in a few models to suck up some dirt, he said: “I won’t be cleaning. I don’t enjoy housework.”
The book has sold more than 120m copies and is the world’s best-selling copyright book, available in more than 100 countries.
Editor-in-chief Craig Glenday said: “This eclectic and fascinating selection of record holders perfectly demonstrates the breadth — and the peculiarity — of this year’s book.
“Where else would you find a vacuum-cleaner collector, a tightrope- walking dog and an oversized motorcycle all in one place?”
Other remarkable feats include Indian boy Rohan Kokane, 12, a repeat record holder who skated 10m (32.8ft) at just 25cm (9.8in) above the ground to become the Lowest Limbo Skater.
From little wheels to large, big thinking Italian Fabio Reggiani, entered the book for constructing the world’s Largest Rideable Motorcycle which measures 5.10m (16.8ft) from the ground to the handlebars.
Six times bigger than a normal motorcycle, it is 10m (32.8ft) long, 2.5m (8.2ft) wide and weighs approximately five tonnes.
Reggiani, a 32-year-old product designer, led a team of eight to build the vehicle over 7 months.
It is powered by a 5.7L V8 engine, running at 280 HP with three forward gears plus reverse.
He never tires of the public reaction to his labour of love, his favourite response being: “O mamma mia come e grande! (Oh my mother, how big it is!)
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