'World's Ugliest Dog' Zsa Zsa Dies Just Two Weeks After Winning Contest
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sa Zsa, the dog who was crowned the 'world's ugliest' just two weeks ago, has died.
Zsa Zsa, an English bulldog, wowed judges at the Sonomo-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, with her Olympic-standard ugliness, particularly through her buck teeth and elongated, drooping tongue that fell out of her mouth so much that it nearly scraped along the floor.
Despite enjoying her success just two weeks ago, she sadly passed away in her sleep at the age of nine, according to US news outlet Today.
"She's been staying over at my dad's house. He woke up this morning and found her passed away," said Zsa Zsa's owner, Megan Brainard.
"I'm still in shock ... 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."
Congratulations to the 2018 #WorldsUgliestDog Contest WINNER Zsa Zsa! Charming the judges with her beauty and talent Zsa Zsa pulled in front of the pack, taking this year's crown at the #SonomaMarinFair! @pawscouttag pic.twitter.com/pVAXgT3BzZ
- Sonoma-Marin Fair (@SonomaMarinFair) June 24, 2018
Megan and Mareslie, her one-year-old daughter, have already held a special ceremony for their deceased pup, who they rescued after five years in a puppy mill.
"I picked Zsa Zsa up and took her outside and laid her down in the grass," she said. "We were all saying our goodbyes and Mareslie went right over and gave her a kiss. It was sweet. She was waving at her."
"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!"
"She knew she was special. She never really showed much excitement but yes, she was definitely living it up after she won," added Brainard.
"We take millions of pictures in my family, so now we have her face everywhere to remind us of her."
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Sonoma-Marin Fair spokeswoman Christy Gentry told E! News: "Our hearts break for the Brainard family and mourn their loss."
"Zsa Zsa was lady through and through. She handled the contest and being a celebrity with charisma and charm. It was an honor to know her."
Brainard had travelled half way across America from her home in Minnesota to the Californian city of Petaluma - a journey of over 30 hours by car - just to enter Zsa Zsa in the World's Ugliest Dog competition that she eventually won.
RIP Zsa Zsa.
