World's ugliest dog Zsa Zsa dies just weeks after winning title
A nine-year-old English bulldog has died just weeks after winning the title of World’s Ugliest Dog.
Zsa Zsa, known for her pink toenails and lolling side-swept tongue, died in her sleep on Tuesday morning.
She was laid to rest by owners Megan and Jesse Brainard and 15-month-old daughter Mareslie at the family home.
“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,” Ms Brainard told Today.
The winner of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest had always been a fighter.
Zsa Zsa spent her first five years of life in a puppy mill in Missouri before she was saved by Underdog Rescue.
Soon after, the Brainards found her on PetFinder.com.
Ms Brainard and Zsa Zsa drove for 30 hours from their home in Minnesota to compete in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in California last month.
She took home first prize – a trophy, $1,500 ($AU2020) in prize winnings and the hearts of everyone.
“She knew she was special. She never really showed much excitement, but yes, she was definitely living it up after she won,” Ms Brainard said.
The purpose of the contest is to raise awareness of pet adoption.
