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Tag: World’s Ugliest Dog

  • 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]

  • “World’s Ugliest Dog” Contest Includes Online Voting

    The title of “World’s Ugliest Dog” may not sound like one that would be hotly contested, but every year dozens of animals from all over the country descend upon the contest for a chance to win a big cash prize and, of course, notoriety.

    The competition kicks off this Friday at Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California, and organizer Vicki DeArmon says she never imagined it would become as big as it has over the years. The contest, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is expecting to see over 2,000 people to attend.

    “It started as a homegrown kind of contest — very small and quirky,” DeArmon told TODAY.com. “But the whole thing has accelerated beyond anyone’s wildest imaginings.”

    It seems odd to some that so many people actually want their dogs to win a contest that hands out such a dubious title, but DeArmon says the owners they see do just that.

    “In a way, we all love an ugly dog, and we love the underdog,” she said. “When you go into a shelter and see a dog that may not normally be adopted, your heart calls to that dog. The contest is a humorous relief that makes the world a little lighter. These are some of the best dog owners in the world. Some of them take it very seriously. I think a few hearts have been broken when they haven’t been the winner.”

    The contest features prizes like a basket of dog toys, pet services valued at $250 from Fit ‘N’ Furry, and $250 in prizes from Paradise Pet Resort which include grooming, training and day care gift certificates.

    If you can’t make it out to Cali this weekend, you can go here to see all of the contestants and place your vote; however, online voting won’t determine the official winner. That is done by a panel of judges.

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  • Ugliest Dog Announced at Annual Northern California Event

    Ugliest dog has been announced, with the honor going to a Chinese Crested from Peterborough, a city in the East of England. The peculiar looking canine and his owner, Bev Nicholson, traveled quite a distance to participate in the World’s Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma, California. In addition to bragging rights, the dog, whose name is Mugly, will receive a year’s worth of doggy treats, while his owner will get a tidy $1,000 for snagging the top honor. Additionally, the dog will be invited to a photo shoot at a nearby Sheraton.

    “I couldn’t speak when they announced Mugly’s name,” Nicholson explained. “I didn’t know which way to look. I was shaking as much as the dog.”

    Mugly, who is hairless save for one wild, wooly eyebrow and a patch of kinky white whiskers, has had a bit of a rough life prior to securing his title as the world’s ugliest dog. According to his owner, the poor little guy was a rescue dog, one that was apparently attacked in a local park by a group of nefarious troublemakers. Things have turned around for Mugly as of late; the eye-catching canine even has his own Facebook page, which, at present, sports nearly 2,000 followers. As news of Mugly’s title spreads, expect that number of increase considerably.

    “I’m overwhelmed,” Nicholson said. “He’s a really sweet, sensitive dog.”

    Mugly bested 28 other “ugly” dogs from around the world to bring home to the title. According to officials at the event, dogs are judged on their “natural ugliness in both pedigree and mutt classes.” It’s good to know that even unattractive animals have their fans.

  • Ugliest Dog Winner has Gone to Heaven

    Yoda was a Chinese-crested-Chihuahua mix who weighed 1.8 pounds and won $1000 as well as a trophy 15 times her size last June when she came first in The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition (WUDC) at the Sonoma Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. She died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday night at the age of 15; that is 105 in human years.

    I recently watched a documentary about this competition titled Worst in Show and was taken aback by the pooch’s Picasso face. Dogs from this breed continue to win the competition over and over again, beating out dogs with abnormalities, heinous scars, and birth defects that are a result of inbreeding.

    Yoda was found in a field when she was two; when her owners first saw her they thought she was a rat.

    Chinese Cresteds look like Ren from Ren & Stimpy. They have bizarre hair patterns that make them look like they were hit by a semi, carried down a path that winds through a pet cemetery, buried in an indian burial ground, and came back as the undead.

    This is Sam, another Chinese Crested and former winner of WUDC:

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    If Paris Hilton was a zombie, this would be her prized companion.

    The breed is known for a myriad of health problems such as a degenerative eye disease, and although Yoda wasn’t the most attractive of dogs in this age of designer breeds, her owner Terry Devine Schumacher said she lived a good life and always told her she was pretty.

    Schumacher said she will miss ‘her funny little ways but is “comforted knowing she will be joining my Mom and Dad, who loved her so much. Her memories will live on forever.”

    What made Yoda look even more repugnant was her large tongue that constantly dangled out of her mouth.

    Yoda shall maintain her title until another dog is crowned as The World’s Ugliest Dog in June.