‘World’s Ugliest Dog,’ Passes Two Weeks After Winning the Title

English Bulldog Zsa Zsa died just two weeks after winning the 2018 World’s Ugliest Dog contest.
 
Zsa Zsa’s owner, Megan Brainard, told TODAY that Zsa Zsa had died in her sleep early Tuesday morning. “She’s been staying over at my dad’s house. He woke up this morning and found her passed away,” Brainard said.
 
According to Brainard, Zsa Zsa was 9 years old when she passed and did not have any known health conditions.
 
Brainard tells TODAY, “I’m still in shock… it’s been two weeks and I still don’t believe it.”
 
Zsa Zsa won the 2018 annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair on June 23 in Petaluma, California. Brainard drove 30 hours from Anoka, Minnesota to enter her Bulldog into the competition.
 
Thanks to Zsa Zsa’s protruding underbite, extra-long tongue and pink, manicured nails, Zsa Zsa won over the judges and beat her competition, a Terrier named Scamp. Zsa Zsa and Brainard were awarded a trophy and a $1,500 grand prize.
 
To honor Zsa Zsa’s life, Brainard and her family held a memorial ceremony outside their home after the body was returned on Tuesday.
 
Like many contestants in the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition, Zsa Zsa was a rescue with humble beginnings. She had spent five years in a Missouri-based puppy mill and was later rescued by the nonprofit Underdog Rescue. Brainard found Zsa Zsa on Petfinder shortly after.
 
Zsa Zsa had lived a full, happy life with Brainard prior to her passing. Brainard told TODAY, “She knew she was special. She never really showed much excitement but yes, she was definitely living it up after she won.”
 
Image via Facebook/New York Times
 
 
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