Gus, the world's ugliest dog: 1999-2008

Gus watches his owner Jeanenne Teed as she walks across their motel room during a trip to the beach this weekend. Teed believed Gus was letting her know that he was in pain as a result of cancer. "He is getting narcotics, and every time I leave the room his eye trails me." She says he used to not be that way. "Now he just keeps staring at me." [EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN | Times]

He was bald, except for a white plume on the top of his head. Liver spots freckled his pale skin. He had one bulbous brown eye (the other had been claimed years ago, in a cat fight) and wobbled on three spindly legs.

He was Gus, the world's ugliest dog.

The tiny, hairless Chinese crested, whose owner lives in Gulfport, was crowned in June at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair in California and quickly became a worldwide celebrity. He was flown to New York, featured on the Today show, Fox & Friends, Rachel Ray. Animal Planet ran a special on him last month.

Monday morning, the world's ugliest dog died in his owner's arms. The skin cancer he had been battling had wrapped around his spine. He had lost half his weight and was in a lot of pain, said his owner, Jeanenne Teed. On Monday, when he began struggling to breathe, she knew she had to put him down. Gus, who she had rescued as a puppy, was 9 years old.

"He took me to amazing places," she said through tears. "Who would have thought, that one little dog with no hair ..."

Lane DeGregory, Times staff writer

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Comments

[Sandie]

Gus was not ugly.
He was a beautiful creature, because he loved without reservation.
He is at peace now, away from pain.
I offer my heartfelt condolences.
Bless his little heart.

[Bob Kennedy]

God Bless Gus, His Owners And Us All

[Karen Settembrino]

God Bless all of God's creatures Great and Small. God Bless Gus' family and may he rest in peace. At least he was with a loving family until the end. We should all help those animals in need in Gus' memory.

[Carol S]

A great dog persona have died.Hope he will find a nice place somewhere with no angry cats and lot of bones for his enjoyment.

[Cindy Agresta]

May you both meet again at the Rainbow Bridge. He was a lucky dog and you are a wonderful person.

I am sorry for your loss, Ms Jeanenne. I agree with Carol S. Somewhere up there on the rainbow bridge, Gus is enjoying himself, made whole again, with no pain, no suffering. Someday, each of us will be reunited with our furry kids. You are in my prayers.

[Danielle]

Rest in Peace little Gus. You're now free from the humiliation you were put through during your stay here on Earth. I know you're having the time of your life at the Rainbow Bridge with all the other beautiful dogs. Remember.. there are no ugly dogs, just ugly people.

[Holly]

May precious Gus rest in peace and my thoughts go out to his human parents. No matter what he looked like, he brought something special to the world while he was here.

[Claire]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Every dog is beautiful in its own way. Remember that Gus is happy now at the Bridge, waiting to be reunited with his human companions one day.

We lost an 11 year old foster to terminal cancer about 5 weeks ago. We found him sick and frightened on a freezing February night. We knew from the outset that he was terminal and could not be placed, so we decided to make his last days happy and secure. We're currently fostering a 13 year old beagle, who also has cancer. It is a wonderful feeling to give love and support to animals at the end of their lives.

When the time is right, I'm sure you'll be able to open your heart and home to another little one, who needs your love.

[David Obrecht]

Poor baby. Pups like that are very rare. I am sure he will be missed by all who knew him.

[Tami]

Rest In Peace Gus

[Tryterbear9211]

I hope you rest in heavenly peace Gus.

[Cindy]

I'm so very sorry for your loss and will keep you in my thoughts. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. Take care.

Rest in peace, Gus.

[Lucia from Pensacola]

Dear Ms. Teed--As far as I'm concerned, losing a beloved pet is one of life's most devastating events. "Some men learn about forgiveness by studying the lives of saints. And some of us keep dogs," wrote C.W. Gusewelle in his book "The Rufus Chronicles." I shall light a candle in honor of you and your sweetest Gus. I send you my heartfelt condolences.

[Matt]

I had to put my cat to sleep today because of lymphoma. It was hard for me to do, but it would have been harder to force her to live in pain.

Pets ask so little of us, and take us just the way we are. The joy and comfort they give is amazing.

[Kimberley from Ontario]

I would like to express my sympathies on the loss of your beloved Gus...this story caught my attention for so many reasons, I also presently own a dog named Gus. As well I known the pain of saying good bye to terminally ill dogs. (I have said goodbye to 2 in the last 2 1/2 years)They give us so much love...therefore I will always choose to pass that love on to another.

[Laura]

God Bless Gus. Thanks to his family he lived a wonderful life...and I'm sure will be remembered for being the beautiful soul he was. My sympathies to his beloved Mom...and remember,God doesn't make "ugly".

[desiree]

gus i've known you for a year and 7 months now, and i hope you know you're mommy and janey loved you and misses you very much.

you're in a very special place now,
and everytime i think of you.. i think of that snaggle tooth and how you'd always growl at me ahhaa.
and somehow, i'm satisfied with that.
R.I.P baby gus

[Janey]

Gus, Me and Mom love you.

[Graceann]

I'm so sorry that Gus had to make that journey to the Rainbow Bridge. I always thought he was so adorable, and that the love shared between he and his guardian was a beautiful thing. Til you meet again....

[Stella Maris Castañares]

Hi,
First at all I want to send my condolences and god bless Gus.
I want to inform you that my dog is so similiar to Gus. Is incredible, but is almost the same crature. I found it in the street It was a Homeless,Its name is Teresita.
Let me know where I can send you its picture (e-mail)and I'll do it.
Kind regards,

[Stephanie Archuleta]

I loved Gus. I was so happy when he won. It breaks my heart for the owner. She is in my prayers...

[Debbie Cheshire]

I'm so sad to hear about Sam.
He was a cutie pie!
I met him at PetSmart with my Chinese Crested. What a wonderful family he had and so blessed they all had each other.
I'm happy Gus is out of pain...and I know we all will remember the laughs and smiles he brought to all of our faces.
We love ya Gus!!

[Chandra]

We rescue CC's and have one we've considered entering into the "ugliest" dog contests. Though we think they're adorable, and so was Gus. Such a sweet little guy who was lucky to pass over knowing the feeling of being loved and cared for. I wonder if these dogs are getting cancer, though, from all the vaccines, pesticides, cleaning solutions,etc. they are being exposed to? This has been a concern of mine since I had to put a dog i had (ever since he was a puppy) to sleep, because he kept getting tumors and finally couldn't handle all the operations. He ate good quality food, had filtered water, etc. But, was exposed to pesticides being sprayed over California before I knew what was going on. Another dog (she's still with me) got deathly ill after a walk in a local park. I called the park manager and found out they had sprayed pesticides in the grass the evening before. Luckily, my vet was able to help her. Maybe these dogs are trying to teach us something. I believe that's one of the reasons we are graced with their presence.