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Breaking News: 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Loses Cancer Battle

PetSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:58:25 -0800

When I met Gus up close and personal moments after he won the title of 2008 World's Ugliest Dog back in June, it was clear he had gone through a lot. This 9-year-old rescued pooch endured radiation, surgery on a malignant tumor, and a leg amputation from his skin cancer – and what I remember most from my chat with his super-sweet owners was that the pup had a fondness for pizza . . . yum!

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sadly he just passed away. RIP, Gus!

I wanted to honor this pooch's big win in a gallery of photos so check them out when you read more.

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A Few Words With Elwood's Fabulous Tongue

PetSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:45:06 -0700

Everyone was clamoring to chat Elwood up at this year's World's Ugliest Dog Competition! Now, maybe it was his bling-y collar, his trademark dangling tongue – it hangs out because he's got no teeth on the bottom left side of his mouth –, or because this was the reigning champion, 2007 World's Ugliest Dog. I caught up with Karen Quigley and her rescue pooch before the show started; coming all the way from New Jersey, the doggie's been quite busy in his year on top! There's a children's book, Everyone Loves Elwood, and celebrity appearances to promote the need to adopt shelter pets. I'd say the take-away message from this event is that all dogs, regardless of appearance, can find loving forever homes with fabulous people. Check out Elwood's flopping, lizard-like tongue flickering at his eye in this video clip when you read more.

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Ugly Dog Archie Shares Sunscreen Tips For Pets

PetSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:19 -0700

I had a great time making new furry – and not so furry – friends at the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition. While up in Petaluma, I witnessed spraying bottles, dabbing with damp towels, and plenty of other owners trying to keep their pets cool in the 95-degree heat. While I chatted with the super-sweet Heather Peoples (who came all the way from Phoenix with her husband and Xoloitzcuintle, Reggie), I got to hold Archie, who had his moment in the sun as World's Ugliest Dog from 2006!Since many of the doggies were short-haired or hairless breeds, I was curious how to keep these pets safe in the scorching sun . . . especially considering the reigning champion has skin cancer already. Learn how Archie deals with the heat, as well as checking out some recommended sunscreens just for pets when you read more.

PS: How do your dogs deal with the heat in Phoenix?
HP: They go outside to go to the bathroom, come in, and lie on the floor. They have sunblock, they have lotion. Right now I'll do it three times while we're here, I do lotion twice a day, and they're getting baths three to four times a week . . . especially since we've been here 'cause it's humid. He smells so he goes into the shower. It's like an assembly line. One in, one out. [Note: Her other pooch, Reggie, was competing as well.]

PS: Do you have a pet-friendly sunscreen that you can recommend?
HP: I use one from Crazy Dog. I've found a lot of the spray-ons work really, really nice.

PS: He doesn't feel greasy.
HP: The good ones spray on and go right in. I made the mistake, when I first found out that they had to do sunblock, I was getting the baby kind . . . Water Babies. Bad idea, it was a very bad experience for him. He had a white stripe down his back, because it wouldn't soak in and couldn't get it to rub in!

Veterinarian's Best Sun Spray Sunscreen for Dogs ($4)	Epi-Pet Sun Protector Sunscreen ($18)
Doggles DOHE-PS Pet Sunscreen ($17.50)	Nutri-Vet, LLC - Sun Defense Spray
UVet Sunscreen Spray SPF 40 ($17)	PurePet Pure Touch Finishing Spray and Sunscreen ($10)

Behind-the-Scenes Video from the 2008 Ugliest Dog Contest!

PetSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:30:31 -0700

I loved chatting with the charming contestants – and their peculiar pets – at the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition. I was so excited to see the pooches that I nearly forgot all the other fair fun! From ferris wheels to funnel cake, there were plenty of things to keep me occupied 'til showtime. See the Sonoma-Marin Fair through my eyes . . . leading up to Gus's big moment in the sun! Enjoy!

My Exclusive Interview with Gus, the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog!

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:45 -0700

All the way from St. Petersburg, Florida, Gus captured the title – and my heart – when he won the 20th Annual World's Ugliest Dog Competition. The three-legged, one-eyed pup with cancer has a true tale of triumph – Jeanenne Teed and daughter Janey plan to use his award money of $1,600 (that's $100 for being a finalist for the purebred category, $500 for winning the Ugliest Dog of 2008 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, and $1,000 for being the "2008 World's Ugliest Dog") towards his radiation treatments.In addition to the money, he got two trophies, one taller than his owners – I've got no clue how they'll get those back to the Sunshine state! I already mentioned it was hot, hot, hot up in Petaluma, but that didn't stop me from catching up with the trio after they won and asking them a few questions about their precious pooch.

PS: How long ago did Gus join your family?
JT: Gus is nine years old and came to us when he was one year old. He came to us word of mouth . . . he was being kept inside a crate inside a garage by an owner who really just couldn't deal with him. She did the right thing and she gave him up to a better home . . . we'd like to think. And he's been with us ever since, through thick and thin, and he's hanging in there. He's a tough cookie.

PS: You mentioned that he has cancer – what kind of cancer does he have?
JT: He has skin cancer. He was diagnosed in December of '06 and, at that time, the cancer was quite advanced and he needed to have his leg amputated. The other leg was debulked and the tumor was removed. After chemotherapy and then treatment with another medication, he had a great year – we had a great year – we took him on vacation for the first time.

Find out where they went – and what happened to his eye! – when you read more.

PS: Where did you go?
JT: We went to the Panhandle to an area that we always go to, Walton Beach, and it was just a great experience. Over Christmas, and over the holidays, we had that and now we have this great experience, too, which is unbelievable . . . absolutely unbelievable.

PS: So when you got Gus, did he have only one eye?
JT: Well, that's a sad . . . (laughs) . . . Gus got into a cat fight last December and obviously the cat won. So he lost his eye, too, to the cat. And he hasn't forgotten about it either.

PS: Hmm, they're not pals now I'm guessing?
JT: No, they're one for one. Gus had caught the kitten when he was a tiny, itty bitty kitten. And was trying to tear the kitten up with our other dog, Buttons, and they were playing tug-of-war. I rescued the little kitten who turned out to be a great, big tomcat.

PS: What's Gus's favorite treat?
JT: French fries. Unfortunately. We don't feed him this often but he loves McDonald's french fries. And when he was undergoing chemotherapy and his stomach was upset, the only thing he would eat was pepperoni pizza. Fortunately Janey works at a pizza place so it was easy to come by but that's what kept him going when nothing else tasted good to him.

PS: And are you gonna get him a special meal before you go back to the hotel tonight? A pampering snack at the fair, funnel cake perhaps?
JT: Him or us (laughs). We will get Gus whatever he wants to eat. It's been a great experience.

World's Ugliest Dog Competition: The Sights

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:00:59 -0700

I invaded the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition on Friday, and what a whirlwind day it was! It was scorching hot in Petaluma, California, but I braved the heat and, not only got a chance to see the show live, but made friends with a cow, sat in on a sheep show, and, of course, met the World's Ugliest Dog face-to-snout. Take a peek into my day at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, and behind the scenes at the World's Ugliest Dog Competition!

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The Results Are In: Most Missed Celebripup

PetSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0800

It's easy to watch celebrities bond with the cute pets that share their homes and lives, and feel a connection to them as well. However, the dog we voted as this year's most missed pet is one I actually got to meet up close . . .
Gus! This pup already has a special place in my heart since I got to pet and hold him back in June. I can assure you that his owners were super sweet and truly cherished their winner of the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition.