Mochi “Mo” Rickert, who held the record for the longest tongue on a living dog for over five years, has sadly passed away.

The female Saint Bernard was from South Dakota, USA and belonged to Carla Ernst (USA).

Officially measured by a vet at 18.58 cm (7.3 in), her tongue was the equivalent length of two-and-a-half Jenga blocks. Her lolling pant and lumbering frame brought smiles to many faces.

“Mochi had an impact on nearly everyone she met. She rescued so many hearts in her life… what a joy this journey has been,” her owner Carla said.

“She was the most amazing animal ever. We miss our precious furry child!”

Mochi sadly spent the first part of her life in a household where she faced neglect and abuse, before being taken in by Big Dogs Huge Paws rescue. At the age of two, she was taken home by Carla and her “furever” family.

The pup’s record-breaking tongue led to more than a hundred appearances over the last four years, including schools, TV shows, book signing events, nursing homes and events for animal rescues.

She was even one of the cover stars for Amazing Animals, a Guinness World Records book published in 2017.

Mochi was bigger than life and never said (barked) a cross word or acted upset or angry. She was calm, loving and took being a celebrity in stride. Her GWR appearances and fame suited  her to a tee! – Carla Ernst

“She spread love and joy wherever she went and had an amazing knack for picking out children and adults who needed special attention and love,” Carla continued.

She recalls some of the occasions where Mochi had a big impact on someone, including the time a grade school special education instructor contacted her after one of Mochi’s school visits.

“After a visit to a large grade school, a resource teacher called me. A little girl who had never smiled in her entire life, smiled for the first time as she told her mom about Mochi.”

Then, while on a GWR tour in Canada, another touching experience occurred.

Mochi and Carla went to Niagara Falls, and despite being surrounded by hundreds of people, Mochi apparently got up abruptly and weaved through the crowd towards an elderly woman sitting motionless in a wheelchair with her family at her side.

“Mochi went up to that lady, sat beside her and laid her head in her lap. I apologized profusely and the lady’s son said it was okay.”

“Then the lady started petting Mochi and smiling. The family were amazed – they said that she had been catatonic for a very long time.”

Mochi’s head-turning feature, coupled with her sweet nature and empathy, made her a truly beloved and unforgettable pet.

“She rocked her record long tongue with immense pride and she helped thousands of people of all ages celebrate their differences and uniqueness.”

“[I] celebrate GWR for bringing such positive attention to a previously thrown away, neglected and abused animal. GWR recognized what an amazing animal she really was…. just as she was!”

The longest tongue on a dog (ever) belonged to a boxer named Brandy (pictured below) and measured an incredible 43 cm (1 ft 5 in).

Brandy lived with her owner John Scheid in St Clair Shores, Michigan, USA, until September 2002.