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  • 2007 Ugliest Dog Dies in the Arms of His Owner

    Fifty-two-year-old Karen Quigley was holding her Chihuahua and Chinese Crested mix-breed dog, Elwood, during his last moments. The 8-year-old dog had been the 2007 recipient of the famous California World’s Ugliest Dog contest, and remained a public favorite. “It was very sudden.” Quigley said of the Thanksgiving tragedy before adding, “He was in my arms.”

    Elwood, at only five pounds, was able to easily nestle himself in the arms of his owner. Quigley rescued the mixed breed from an untimely and almost immediate death. “The breeder was going to euthanize him because she thought he was too ugly to sell,” Quigley explained. Though the exact cause of death is unknown, reports claim that Elwood may have suffered from a type of cancer that claimed his life on the morning of Thanksgiving.

    Proving that no dog is ugly to his or her master, Quigley spoke about her beloved Elwood. “He was the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen …He taught children it’s OK to be different.” Elwood became so popular that a steady stream of postcards and letters from his fans were delivered to Quigley on behalf of the dog. This wide-spread attention led to the eventual publication of Everyone Loves Elwood that Quigley wrote to encourage children to embrace differences and learn to value innate, unique traits that make everyone an individual.

    Quigley spoke about how Elwood was able to influence people for the better in spite of his appearance. “He made people smile, he made them laugh and feel good. It was wonderful. He will truly be missed,” she said.

    [Image Via NDN]

  • ‘2007 Ugliest Dog’ Elwood Dies at 8

    The ‘2007 Ugliest Dog’ title winner, named Elwood, died on Thursday. The Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix had suffered from some health issues in recent months, but owner Karen Quigley believed he’d been doing well. Quigley rescued the little hairless dog, who was affectionately called E.T. or Yoda, back in 2005. His breeder had planned to euthanize him.

    Elwood had a worldwide fan base, and his appearance at more than 200 fund raising events throughout his lifetime helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit animal rescue efforts and related nonprofits.

    This ‘2007 Ugliest Dog’ title holder was even the subject of a children’s book written by his owner. Called Everyone Loves Elwood, the story explained how it’s perfectly okay to be different from everyone else.

    Karen Quigley issued a statement about Elwood’s passing via Facebook.

    “It is with a broken heart and overwhelming sadness to tell everyone that my sweet little boy passed at 9:20 this morning in my arms. I cannot even gather my thoughts and imagine life without him. In the end, God calls the shots and He has decided to take Elwood to be with Him. I need time to process what has happened. A love like this comes once in a lifetime…and, in my darkest moment on this Thanksgiving Day, I am so very Thankful for the “Gift of Elwood” for eight years. Thank you everyone for all the love, support and prayers,” she wrote.

    Twitter fans recognized Elwood’s inner beauty, and mourn his passing.

    Hopefully the press will respect Karen Quigley as she takes the time needed to mourn the loss of the 2007 ugliest dog, Elwood. While he was an icon of hope for many, he was her beloved pet. She is mourning the loss of a family member.

    Image via Facebook

  • The World’s Ugliest Dog’s Beautiful Life has Ended

    On June 22, 2007, a dog resembling a punk-rock Yoda going by the name of Elwood took The World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California by storm. Robbed of his glory a year before, Elwood took three prizes back to New Jersey that year: First Place Mutt, Ugly Dog of 2007 and the highest award, the World’s Ugliest Dog.

    The title took him to CNN, The View, The Regis and Kelly Show with Anderson Cooper and numerous local news and television shows worldwide. In a very short time, Elwood quickly became a source of inspiration to remember the beauty inside of everything and everyone.

    The Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix’s biggest accomplishment was championing for his animal kin in animal shelters worldwide; he let people know that not only should the “cute” animals be adopted. He appeared at numerous non-profit animal organizations and raised thousands of dollars for his brethren who were down on their luck.

    Sadly, Elwood’s death at eight years of age was announced by his human, Karen Quigley, via Facebook on Thanksgiving Day.

    Elwood will be missed. Elwood’s human reminds us, though, that Elwood dying on Thanksgiving, “was another one of his messages for all of us to remember to be thankful for who we are and all the wonderful things we have in our lives.” Be sure to check out his children’s book dealing with acceptance entitled Everyone Loves Elwood and check out his website to continue to be inspired.

    [image: Facebook]