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Gus, A Pinellas Pooch, Faces Ugly Truth On The 'Today' Show

Associated Press photo by Crista Jeremiason

Gus, from Gulfport, was named the World's Ugliest Dog at a canine contest held Friday at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair in California.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 23, 2008

Gus settled into his hard-earned success rather easily today.

The 9-year-old Chinese crested, with one eye and three legs, drew lots of oohs and aahs -- and maybe a few ughs – today at his coming out party before a national audience.

After almost a decade of hard living, cancer and fierce fights with cats, the local dog has risen above it all and made good.

The pooch from Gulfport was named the World's Ugliest Dog at a canine contest held Friday at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair in California. The 20th pooch pageant is the Miss America of dog anti-beauty contests, and Gus took the tiara.

The notoriety brought with it a segment on NBC's "Today" show this morning, and the pooch was shown via live feed from his home in Pinellas County. Beneath the television footage of Gus was the dubious title: "Worst in Show."

Jeanenne Teed is Gus' owner. She chatted with Al Roker during the brief "Today" appearance.

"We think he's beautiful," she said. "We're so glad to share him with the rest of the world."

Gus has been diagnosed with cancer, and that led to the amputation of a leg, she said. A nasty cat left him with one eye.

Gus was cancer-free for a year, but it returned in January, Teed said. Now Gus will undergo treatment again.

"We're waiting for radiation," she said.

Gus mugged for the camera, nestled on a table in front of Teed, undaunted by the attention or the diagnosis.

"It's been quite the whirlwind of fame for Gus," Teed said.

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