All dogs go to heaven. Zsa Zsa, the recent winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest, has died at the age of 9.
The Facebook account for the English bulldog, ran by her owner Megan Brainard, announced the sad news on Tuesday, July 11, with a post that read, “I’m sad to share that ZSA ZSA passed away in her sleep last night.” The pooch looked in great spirits while getting her teeth brushed in a video posted on Sunday, July 9.
Zsa Zsa was previously awarded a trophy, $1,500 and a trip to New York City after winning the honor of being the World’s Ugliest Dog at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23. She was one of 14 candidates and won over pets who had impressive qualifications, including some that had been featured in films, TV shows, music videos — and one who had it’s own IMDB page!
The pup — whose name was inspired by Zsa Zsa Gabor — earned the honor in large part to her unique long tongue, overbite and broad body. Despite her dog’s appearance, Brainard proudly boasted, “She is so beautiful in my eyes.”
Even though Zsa Zsa gained fame as the World’s Ugliest Dog — which resulted in press appearances like a June 25 Today show segment — she had humble beginnings. According to Today, Zsa Zsa spent most of her early life in a puppy mill in Missouri before she was saved by a nonprofit called Underdog Rescue. Her owner later found her on PetFinder.com.
