In
an attempt to not appear insensitive, please understand
that this dog was truly loved by his owner of 15 years.
This little fellow would be of interest to anyone who knows
and appreciates dogs, no matter what package it came in.
Sam was featured on TV and in print for his consistent wins
in this category. I would add that "old age" was
a major factor in Sam's unforgettable appearance.
Sam,
we're sorry you're gone. You were a winner. We all loved
you.
Dog
Officially "The World's Ugliest"
SANTA
BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - The owners of the other contestants
in this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest may have thought
their pooches had a chance—until they saw Sam.
The 14-year-old pedigreed Chinese crested recently won the
Sonoma-Marin Fair contest for the third consecutive time,
and it's no surprise.
The tiny dog has no hair, if you don't count the yellowish-white
tuft erupting from his head. His wrinkled brown skin is
covered with splotches, a line of warts marches down his
snout, his blind eyes are an alien, milky white and a fleshy
flap of skin hangs from his withered neck. And then there's
the Austin Powers teeth that jut at odd angles from his
mouth.
He's so ugly even the judges recoiled when he was placed
on the judging table, said proud owner, Susie Lockheed,
of Santa Barbara.
"People are always horrified when I kiss him. He may
turn into a prince yet. He's definitely a toad," she
said. "I always thought he'd be great on greeting cards
or on a commercial for Rogaine."
Sam, who's pushing 15, has something of a cult following
after winning the contest - and fans' hearts - for three
years running.
"So many people have told me they've got his picture
on their refrigerator. He certainly has a little cult following,"
Lockheed said. "I did years of professional musical
theater and never achieved the fame Sam has."
Meet Sam
