World's ugliest dog dies at 9
Zsa Zsa's 15 minutes in the limelight are over: the copiously drooling English bulldog named the World's Ugliest Dog just weeks ago has died. The nine-year-old canine died in her sleep Tuesday morning, owner Megan Brainard of Anoka, Minnesota told US media.
Brainard and her husband, Jesse, spent most of Tuesday visiting a relative in the hospital, which has prevented them from fully "processing" Zsa Zsa's death. "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," Brainard said.
Once Zsa Zsa's body was returned home Tuesday morning, the couple and their 15-month-old daughter, Mareslie, held a special farewell ceremony.
"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," Brainard shared.
With her floppy tongue, crooked teeth and pink manicure, Zsa Zsa captured the hearts of the judges at the annual contest at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair in Petaluma, California.
Zsa Zsa seemed to relish the victory. "She knew she was special. She never really showed much excitement but yes, she was definitely living it up after she won," said Brainard.
Brainard brought the dog, named after actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, to TODAY on June 25, revealing that kids often gave Zsa Zsa's tongue a handshake like it was a paw.
