Tails in the News
By Laura Oppenheimer
“This tiny dog will capture your heart,” says Philadelphia-area resident Karen Quigley. “Cute or ugly, I think he’s
just perfect.”
Quigley is talking about Elwood, her six-pound Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix, who was crowned World’s Ugliest Dog at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair in Petaluma, California on June 22. Elwood not only won the title of “World’s Ugliest Dog,” but also won two other prizes, first place in the Mutt Class and Ugly Dog of 2007. To claim the big title, Elwood out-uglied two former champions, Archie (2006 winner) and Rascal (2002 winner). In addition to his world title, Elwood also earned $1,000.
Elwood was not always a frontrunner on the pageant circuit. In fact, Quigley adopted the special pooch after a New Jersey SPCA investigation. Elwood had been one of many dogs living in a woman’s house, and the SPCA determined she couldn’t adequately take care of all of them. That’s where Quigley came in. “When I arrived to meet Elwood it was love at first site. I took him home that night and he has been a true blessing in my life ever since,” she says.
After meeting Elwood, Quigley became a huge proponent of animal rescue and adoption. “I encourage everyone...to adopt an animal from their local shelter or rescue,” she says. “We still put down 5 million dogs and cats a year in the United States due to lack of homes. There is nothing wrong with these animals other than they are homeless, were abandoned, or didn’t live up to someone’s expectation.” Because of Elwood’s unusual looks, she thinks most people would have passed over him in a shelter. “Get beyond the physical,” Quigley says. “Look at these animals as living beings who love, feel pain and loneliness, and would love to be a part of someone’s family.”
Since winning the contest, Elwood has become a minor celebrity. According to Quigley, he will probably retire after this year to devote more time to his volunteer activities. The tiny pup is a good will ambassador for homeless animals and those with special needs and spends much of his time working with rescue groups spreading the message to adopt a homeless animal, spay/neuter your pet, and be kind to animals (and each other). In the near future, Elwood’s book, Everyone Loves Elwood, will be released. The primary message of the children’s book is that it is OK to be different and being different can actually make you very special.
The Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR) will host a BBQ to benefit its adoption and rescue services on August 11 from 4-8 p.m. The event includes a BBQ dinner, live music, and the “Flea Free Flea Market.” Tickets cost $30 per person or $45 per couple. Attendees are encouraged to bring their fully vaccinated and dog-friendly dogs to the party at the DVGRR’s Golden Gateways facility in Reinholds. All dogs that attend must be kept on leashes. DVGRR is a volunteer non-profit group that rescues displaced Golden Retrievers and places them in new homes. More than 2,000 Golden Retrievers have been rescued by DVGRR since it was founded in 1993. For tickets, visit DVGRR.org.
A planned expansion of Route 202 has forced Kitty Cottage, a cage-free, no-kill shelter, out of its building, leaving volunteers and employees scrambling to find a new space before the end of September. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation claimed eminent domain on the space occupied by Kitty Corner in Blue Bell and forced them to vacate by early fall.
Kitty Cottage President Paula Thacker says there are two challenges associated with finding a new space. The first is that the new shelter they move into must be commercially zoned for pets, have space for up to 35 cats, and include parking. The second challenge is the cost. “We find places,” Thacker says, “But then we find that we don’t have enough money.” She says they did find a new space that was suitable, but that the price was too high for the Kitty Cottage.
If a new space can’t be secured before the beginning of October, the cats will have to be fostered by Kitty Cottage volunteers. Thacker says they are always looking for new volunteers to both help at the shelter and foster cats and kittens.
To raise additional funds, the Kitty Cottage is hosting a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament in September. To find out more information about the tourney or to help Kitty Cottage as it looks for a new space, email
KittyCottagePA@Verizon.net or call (610) 731-0101.
Elwood named “World’s Ugliest Dog”
“This tiny dog will capture your heart,” says Philadelphia-area resident Karen Quigley. “Cute or ugly, I think he’s
just perfect.”
Quigley is talking about Elwood, her six-pound Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix, who was crowned World’s Ugliest Dog at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair in Petaluma, California on June 22. Elwood not only won the title of “World’s Ugliest Dog,” but also won two other prizes, first place in the Mutt Class and Ugly Dog of 2007. To claim the big title, Elwood out-uglied two former champions, Archie (2006 winner) and Rascal (2002 winner). In addition to his world title, Elwood also earned $1,000.
Elwood was not always a frontrunner on the pageant circuit. In fact, Quigley adopted the special pooch after a New Jersey SPCA investigation. Elwood had been one of many dogs living in a woman’s house, and the SPCA determined she couldn’t adequately take care of all of them. That’s where Quigley came in. “When I arrived to meet Elwood it was love at first site. I took him home that night and he has been a true blessing in my life ever since,” she says.
After meeting Elwood, Quigley became a huge proponent of animal rescue and adoption. “I encourage everyone...to adopt an animal from their local shelter or rescue,” she says. “We still put down 5 million dogs and cats a year in the United States due to lack of homes. There is nothing wrong with these animals other than they are homeless, were abandoned, or didn’t live up to someone’s expectation.” Because of Elwood’s unusual looks, she thinks most people would have passed over him in a shelter. “Get beyond the physical,” Quigley says. “Look at these animals as living beings who love, feel pain and loneliness, and would love to be a part of someone’s family.”
Since winning the contest, Elwood has become a minor celebrity. According to Quigley, he will probably retire after this year to devote more time to his volunteer activities. The tiny pup is a good will ambassador for homeless animals and those with special needs and spends much of his time working with rescue groups spreading the message to adopt a homeless animal, spay/neuter your pet, and be kind to animals (and each other). In the near future, Elwood’s book, Everyone Loves Elwood, will be released. The primary message of the children’s book is that it is OK to be different and being different can actually make you very special.
A golden opportunity to help Golden Retrievers
The Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR) will host a BBQ to benefit its adoption and rescue services on August 11 from 4-8 p.m. The event includes a BBQ dinner, live music, and the “Flea Free Flea Market.” Tickets cost $30 per person or $45 per couple. Attendees are encouraged to bring their fully vaccinated and dog-friendly dogs to the party at the DVGRR’s Golden Gateways facility in Reinholds. All dogs that attend must be kept on leashes. DVGRR is a volunteer non-profit group that rescues displaced Golden Retrievers and places them in new homes. More than 2,000 Golden Retrievers have been rescued by DVGRR since it was founded in 1993. For tickets, visit DVGRR.org.
Kitty Cottage shelter claimed by state under eminent domain
A planned expansion of Route 202 has forced Kitty Cottage, a cage-free, no-kill shelter, out of its building, leaving volunteers and employees scrambling to find a new space before the end of September. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation claimed eminent domain on the space occupied by Kitty Corner in Blue Bell and forced them to vacate by early fall.
Kitty Cottage President Paula Thacker says there are two challenges associated with finding a new space. The first is that the new shelter they move into must be commercially zoned for pets, have space for up to 35 cats, and include parking. The second challenge is the cost. “We find places,” Thacker says, “But then we find that we don’t have enough money.” She says they did find a new space that was suitable, but that the price was too high for the Kitty Cottage.
If a new space can’t be secured before the beginning of October, the cats will have to be fostered by Kitty Cottage volunteers. Thacker says they are always looking for new volunteers to both help at the shelter and foster cats and kittens.
To raise additional funds, the Kitty Cottage is hosting a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament in September. To find out more information about the tourney or to help Kitty Cottage as it looks for a new space, email
KittyCottagePA@Verizon.net or call (610) 731-0101.
