Fifty-two-year-old Karen Quigley was holding her Chihuahua and Chinese Crested mix-breed dog, Elwood, during his last moments. The 8-year-old dog had been the 2007 recipient of the famous California World’s Ugliest Dog contest, and remained a public favorite. “It was very sudden.” Quigley said of the Thanksgiving tragedy before adding, “He was in my arms.”

Elwood, at only five pounds, was able to easily nestle himself in the arms of his owner. Quigley rescued the mixed breed from an untimely and almost immediate death. “The breeder was going to euthanize him because she thought he was too ugly to sell,” Quigley explained. Though the exact cause of death is unknown, reports claim that Elwood may have suffered from a type of cancer that claimed his life on the morning of Thanksgiving.

Proving that no dog is ugly to his or her master, Quigley spoke about her beloved Elwood. “He was the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen …He taught children it’s OK to be different.” Elwood became so popular that a steady stream of postcards and letters from his fans were delivered to Quigley on behalf of the dog. This wide-spread attention led to the eventual publication of Everyone Loves Elwood that Quigley wrote to encourage children to embrace differences and learn to value innate, unique traits that make everyone an individual.

Quigley spoke about how Elwood was able to influence people for the better in spite of his appearance. “He made people smile, he made them laugh and feel good. It was wonderful. He will truly be missed,” she said.

R.I.P. Elwood, 8 years old, voted world's ugliest dog in 2007 at the annual Sonoma-Marin County Fair in… http://t.co/rNpcEzRQG4

— NARKATTA (@DjNarkatta) December 1, 2013

World’s ugliest dog dies: It’s a fact: Elwood was ugly. And he was loved. Now, he’s gone. Karen Quig… http://t.co/FFfx0wWFTF #oklahoma

— Oklahoma City News (@LocalOklahoma) December 1, 2013

[Image Via NDN]