'Ugly Dog' Sam Dies At 14
 

Sam, the "ugly dog", has died as the age of 14. Check it out:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/11/22/ugly.dog.ap/index.html

SANTA BARBARA, California (AP) -- Sam, the dog whose ugliness earned him TV appearances, limousine rides and even a meeting with millionaire Donald Trump, has died, the Santa Barbara News-Press reported Tuesday.

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 in California -- 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.

Aw thats sad I just saw him on A tv show recently. I think it was Current Affair.
It was the first time my husband had seen him and he couldnt believe how ugly he was.

How sad...poor Sam. :(

awwwwwww

AWW, that is sad, I guess I didn't know he was that old,but he was quite the celebrity.

Poor Sam, You definately can not say Sam is cute.

I think he was so ugly he was cute.

It just goes to prove you cannot judge a book by its cover. Sam came into rescue, found a forever home that loved him and he became famous and traveled the world. :D

He was loved, which is all everyone and every companion animal wants.

Rest in peace little guy.

i thought he was cute in a way....poor sam....ugly /cute

I never even heard of the poor guy so I googled "ugly dog sam". Oh, I was QUITE surprised. I was expecting "so ugly its cute". I have to say that there was no excuse for the dog's nails being soooooo long and unclipped. Hopefully the owner wasn't trying to add to the ugliness. It sounds like he was loved once he was rescued. Hopefully his last 6 years were happy ones.

Poor Baby..that's sad..

Well said. :thumbup: I agree.

I just read about this. It's sad, and I hope he rests in peace!

AWWW...

I just saw his picture when he won ugliest dog in a contest on Regis and Kelly last week.

Me and my coworkers were watching a clip on the Internet when Sam and his mommy were being interviewed about his "ugly dog" status and all the contests that he has won. The whole time she was holding him....every time she moved him he would growl. Then she put the 2nd ugliest dog winner (which also belongs to her) on her lap and Sam was trying to attack him. We laughed so hard and had to watch it again and again.
I am so sorry to hear that the little guy has passed on.