elwood dog

Elwood, one of the world's ugliest dogs, with owner Karen Quigley of Washington Township, N.J. Quigley is holding the picture of Elwood that's on the cover of his book, "Everyone Loves Elwood." (File Photo by Tim Hawk)

Karen Quigley with Elwood the 2007 Worlds Ugliest Dog. She is holding the first place ribbon for which Elwood won for being the ugliest mutt, the first of 3 steps to becoming the ugliest dog. File Photo by Tim Hawk

WASHINGTON TWP. — Being the world's ugliest anything usually isn't a designation anyone would want, but Elwood took that ball and ran around the world with it.

Crowned the world’s ugliest dog in 2007, the 8-year-old Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix from Washington Township passed away unexpectedly Thanksgiving morning — but his message of acceptance lives on.

“The truth is, when he came into my life, I knew there was a reason. I knew the night I took him home there was something I had to do,” owner Karen Quigley recalled Saturday.

That “something” became Elwood’s message and mission: be kind and accepting of differences, adopt homeless animals and educate people about the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

His first place finish in 2007 at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair, in California, turned out to be a blessing in the disguise of a tongue perpetually hanging out, eyes almost hidden under heavy lids and one white tuft of hair on his head.

“I did not think he was ugly and didn’t think he would win,” Quigley said of the contest.

However, she said the win was the “catalyst” to get Elwood’s message moving and helped gain an international audience.

He appeared at charity events to raise money for homeless or abused animals, got on TV alongside hosts such as Regis and Kelly, Anderson Cooper, and Rachel Ray, and was even featured on Brazilian and German shows.

Regardless of age, “I started to see how people accepted him,” Quigley said.

In South Jersey, the duo made stops at local schools to show the significance of tolerance and compassion.

"Elwood has raised thousands of dollars for homeless animals and has helped many other important organizations," Quigley said at a Mantua Township elementary school in 2012. "He was even asked to deliver the commencement speech at Gloucester County College — with my help — a couple of years ago."

Quigley turned the pooch’s tale into “Everybody Loves Elwood,” a children’s book that said it’s okay to be different.

“He was out to teach people that we can all make a difference if we really care,” Quigley said.

She just mailed the last copies to addresses overseas.

---

Contact web editor Greg Adomaitis at 856-686-3661 or gadomaitis@southjerseymedia.com