World's Ugliest Dog, R.I.P.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Posted on Tue, Nov. 22, 2005


Santa Barbara canine billed as world's ugliest dog dies at 14

Associated Press


SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Sam, the dog whose ugliness earned him TV appearances, limousine rides and even a meeting with Donald Trump, has died.

The pooch with the hairless body, crooked teeth and sparse tuft of hair atop his knobby head died Friday, just short of his 15th birthday, said his owner, Susie Lockheed.

"I don't think there'll ever be another Sam," she said, adding wryly, "Some people would think that's a good thing."

Sam became an international celebrity after winning the ugliest animal contest at the 2003 Sonoma-Marin Fair - a victory he twice repeated. The purebred Chinese crested hairless made appearances on TV in Japan, radio in New Zealand and in Britain's Daily Mirror tabloid, stayed in luxury hotels and met Trump on a talk show set.

Lockheed marketed his visage on T-shirts, a calendar and even a coffee "ugly mug."

At the time of his death, Sam was scheduled to be filmed for a Discovery Channel series on the world's ugliest species.

Lockheed said she was initially terrified of Sam when she agreed to take him in as a rescue six years ago on a 48-hour trial basis. Although she fell in love with him, his appearance repulsed her then-boyfriend and prompted the man to break up with her.

Later, however, Sam became a matchmaker by bringing together Lockheed and her current beau, who saw a picture of the two on an online dating site.

Lockheed said she had Sam euthanized after a veterinarian told her Sam's heart was failing.

She said she's felt a little lost ever since, and is sleeping with Sam's favorite toy - a stuffed bear he picked up and carried home.

"I have snuggled Sam under my blankets on my bed for six years," said Lockheed, who has three other dogs named TatorTot, TinkerBell and PixieNoodle.

°°°°°


Sam's site

[Doc Martin]

I'll bet he was a cute puppy!

[Chris D]

This really affected my 3-year-old. He was freaked out by the photos.

This morning we're pulling up to preschool and he says, "Why did that hideous dog die, Daddy?" (I'm thinking to myself, GREAT use of "hideous," ace!) "Did they not give it enough dog food?"

[Brian Olewnick]

That's an ugly dog.

[moneyp]

On the bright side, at least he wasn't named TaterTot, Tinkerbell or PixieNoodle.

I think he looked pretty cool, actually.

[Brian Olewnick]

I'm afraid to ask what he was gnawing on in that first picture.

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by mone peterson

On the bright side, at least he wasn't named TaterTot, Tinkerbell or PixieNoodle.

I think he looked pretty cool, actually.

PixieNoodle!, thats funny. He does look cool in a Tales From the Crypt kind of way.

[Enforcer]

I guess I'm a total sap, because the story makes me want to cry. When someone loses their dog, I just find it overwhelmingly heart wrenching.

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

I'm afraid to ask what he was gnawing on in that first picture.

Um, his leg.

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

I guess I'm a total sap, because the story makes me want to cry. When someone loses their dog, I just find it overwhelmingly heart wrenching.

Don’t be sad, Larry. All dogs go to heaven.

[rollhead]

Only his momma (and Doc) could love that dog.

[Brian Olewnick]

Originally Posted by Chris D

Um, his leg.

I hope so.

Well, on the other hand, I guess Sam had to take his pleasure where he could find it, so...

[Doc Martin]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... And all the other Pets awaiting their Masters Sigh in relief.

[steve(thelil)]

I thought this was gonna be an even edgier thread about Kenny Rogers.

[Pete C]

I think he's cute.

[graypencil]

That's really pretty Doc ..

I'm not sure about where we go when we enter the cosmos again, but I've always been pretty sure my late wife and all my dogs will be there with me!

Sam's passing affected me as well ..the're ain't no such thing as an ugly dog to somebody.

[blawless]

Doc, I checked out the Rainbow Bridge website; thanks for the info. But is this place just for gay pets?

[Captain Hate]

I tried that linky and all I get is a Katrina relief sign so I gotta ask: What's with his eyes? Are those the worlds largest cataracts or are both photos screwed up?

[blawless]

They're contact lenses, Captain.

[Enforcer]

blaw, you look just like the musician Marilyn Manson!

[blawless]

Yeah, I guess in that picture I kind of do. Other people have said I look like Otto Klemperer.

[scrotum boy]

From the picture of yourself you just posted, I would say you look just like Werner Klemperer.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

I tried that linky and all I get is a Katrina relief sign

Here's some of what you missed, Cap:



Darth Sam, Canine of The Sith




SamaClaus

[Monte Smith]

Hoo boy. Wrote a song about it. Like to hear it? Here it go:

I got to keep moving, I got to keep moving
Blues falling down like hail, blues falling down like hail.
Mmm hmm mmm, blues falling down like hail, blues falling down like hail.
And the day keeps on mindin' me, there's a hellhound on my trail.
Hellhound on my trail, hellhound on my trail...

If today was Christmas eve, if today was Christmas eve,
And tomorrow was Christmas day--
If today was Christmas eve and tomorrow was Christmas day--
(Ah, wouldn't we have a time babe?)
All I would need is my little sweet rider
Just to pass the time away, ah hah, to pass the time away.

You sprinkled hot foot powder, mmm, around my door
All around my door.
You sprinkled hot foot powder, mmm, all around your daddy's door, mm-hmm.
It keeps me with ramblin' mind rider,
Every old place I go, every old place I go.

I can tell the wind is risin', the leaves tremblin' on the tree.
Tremblin' on the tree.
I can tell the wind is risin', leaves tremblin' on the tree, mmm-hmm.
All I need is my little sweet woman
And to keep my company, hey, hey, hey, hey, my company.

Damn, that's uh ugly dog and proof positive of a hell.

[jesus marion joseph]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

SamaClaus

Is that his tail, or is he happy about Christmas?


A friend of mine told me that when he was a kid and a pet died, his parents told him it had "gone to Vermont".

[Captain Hate]

Thanks SdcS; I wonder if that lovely animal ever had any offspring. Think Dunleavy'd like a pup??

[GoodSpeak]

PixieNoodle....?

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

The Chinese Crested dog "Elwood" appears at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. Elwood, who weighs in at just 6 lbs and was rescued as the result of a New Jersey SPCA investigation, has won the title of World's ugliest dog of 2007.

[Gary Sisco]

I wish I had one to sic on Bronwyn's pharmacist....

[Jazzooo]

http://samugliestdog.com/IW4C0045-CROPPED-copy-web.jpg

Man...dead dogs are so sad, but even still--this guy looked more like Godzilla and Rover to me.