Pup Who Won The World's Ugliest Dog Contest Sadly Passed Away At Age 9

Zsa Zsa, the English bulldog pup who won the champion spot in 2018’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest, has passed away at the age of 9 years just two and a half weeks after taking home her prize.

Zsa Zsa had been staying over at the home of her human Grandpa. He woke up and went to check on her that morning and found that she had passed away in her sleep. Her Mom, Megan Brainard, announced this to TODAY News.

The pup, who lived in Anoka, Minnesota, was a rescue dog who had survived five years living in a puppy mill before being brought out to a dog auction. It was then that Underdog Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue organization, purchased her to rescue her.

Megan Brainard and her husband Jesse adopted Zsa Zsa from Underdog Rescue shortly after, and they named her after the phenomenal late Zsa Zsa Gabor. They fell in love with her the moment they saw her.

Zsa Zsa’s most prominent characteristic was her large, lolling tongue, which spent most of its time hanging out of her mouth due to her nearly horizontal upper teeth and her huge underbite. She often used that tongue to give lots of kisses to her loved ones, especially her Mom and Dad, who constantly had to moisturize the tongue to prevent it from drying out.

As a participant of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest – a competition with almost 30 years of history – she, along with other competitors, helped raise awareness for “ugly” pets, who don’t get adopted nearly as often. Her message that the pedigree doesn’t define the dog was one that helped countless pups find forever homes.

Rest in peace, Zsa Zsa! We hope you’re having fun on the Rainbow Bridge.

Feature Image Source: Daily Mail