The World's Ugliest Dog Has Passed Away Weeks After She Wins The Title

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The "World's Ugliest Dog" Has Passed Away Only Weeks After She Won The Title

Nathan Congleton - TODAY

Every year there is a competition to celebrate the ugliest dogs in the world, and just last month, Zsa Zsa was named the winner.

She was a nine-year-old English bulldog whose unique look and "swaggering tongue" helped her beat out the competition.

The news release announcing her victory said, "Nine years young with a swaggering tongue, Zsa Zsa delivered a shower of slobber as she claimed this year's title." But just a few weeks after her glorious victory, the precious pooch has crossed over the rainbow bridge.

The sweet little girl spent five years trapped in a puppy mill before being saved by the Underdog Rescue. They were happy that they found Zsa Zsa the perfect home, even if it took a little while to find.

The point of the Ugliest Dog Competition isn't to make fun of these unique animals, but instead celebrate those who aren't the "perfect" pedigree. It raises awareness for adoption and tries to give love to all the dogs.

Personally, I think all these dogs are absolutely beautiful in their own way - especially Zsa Zsa.

Her long tongue gets stuck out of the side of her mouth because of the way her teeth sit, and her wide shoulders are obviously unique as well. Because she's from a puppy mill, chances are the people who owned her weren't willing to take care of her properly, but at least her new owners gave her all the love she deserved.

Zsa Zsa Ugliest Dog
Courtesy of Sonoma=Marin Fairgrounds

Zsa Zsa's life may not have been perfect at first, but luckily she found a family to love her until the very end. Her owner, Megan Brainard, confirmed that her beloved pooch passed away in her sleep last night.

"I'm still in shock," Brainard said. "It's kind of like when she won (the World's Ugliest Dog contest). It's been two weeks and I still don't believe it. It's probably going to be the same with her passing."

Brainard said that she and her husband had a proper goodbye for Zsa Zsa, bringing her out to the grass and laying her down nicely so their 15-month old daughter could say goodbye.

"I picked Zsa Zsa up and took her outside and laid her down in the grass. We were all saying our goodbyes and Mareslie went right over and gave her a kiss. It was sweet. She was waving at her."

The family had hoped that Zsa Zsa would be able to help bring an end to puppy mills by bringing awareness to them. "Zsa Zsa was made for the spotlight. She was so photogenic and adaptable to whatever situation or environment she was in! She was going to be an advocate to help end puppy mills. Everyone hug your dogs! Ugly is beautiful!"

Hopefully the family will be able to continue telling Zsa Zsa's story so they can help put an end to puppy mills once and for all.

Zsa Zsa Ugliest Dog
AP

Goodbye Zsa Zsa, thank you for being such a good girl!

If you want to see more of the winners of the Ugliest Dog Competition, check out this article.

It's not just dogs that get called ugly though, other animals are ridiculed as well, but they deserve some love too.

Source - CNN / Today / E Online