It is with a heavy heart that my beloved Zippy has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. She was a true star in my eyes, and kept me going for many a year. Zippy was 15 years and 7 months old, and was the most lovable of animal friends anyone would want to know, or has had the pleasure of meeting.
We adopted each other when she came into the Collier County Humane Society at age 5 in 1995. I will miss her warmth, her cuddles, her kisses and her sweet personality. She truly loved people, and would always find a way to get on your lap and give you a big kiss, with that big tongue if you let her:-)
We were like soul-mates in a way, and I would like someday to thank the wonderful family who dropped her off, and let them know what a gift of love they truly gave to me for all these years. I want to thank everyone who has visited her site, and for your heartfelt condolences and concern. She put up a brave battle with kidney disease, but in the end, unfortunately, the disease always wins. Zippy passed away peacefully and with dignity on November 12, 2005.
During our 10 1/2 year relationship, Zippy garnered 4 Trophies which included "Grand Champion", Runner-up, two Third Place Trophies and 1 Honorable Mention at the Flamingo Island Flea Market's "Ugly Dog Contests" starting in 2001 for her unique attributes - not that she was Ugly - but more so for her Hairless naked body, those big Yoda-like ears, and that "World Famous" Tongue :-) She was a real Show-Stopper and a true "Original".
On November 5th of this year, Zippy went out and made her last public appearance in "Grand Dam" Showdog Style at the Ugly Dog Contest and came home with a trophy. I just took Zippy & Gigi out to watch the event, have a little fun and give up her crown, but everyone from participants to the owner of the Flea Market persuaded me to enter both my girls in the competition due to the lack of entries from Hurricane Wilma, so we did. 
The Fox4 News cameraman, who came out to tape the show, was so enamored with Zippy that he requested a special interview with us, which was very kind. Even the kids loved Zippy!
Zippy's picture can be seen on page 104 of the "Bad Dog" comedy paperback book by Workman Publishing Co., NY which came out in September of this year. 
In 1999 Zippy graced the pages of Workman's "365 Days of Dogs" National Calender and in December of 2002, Zippy & I were flown up to be on the John Walsh Show, along with Claudia and her dog Betty Boop. Zippy was the crowd favorite Ugly and won a 4 foot rawhide bone with a big red ribbon on it to take home with her. 
She could smell the bone, but couldn't dig in because it was bigger than herself, plus she didn't have many teeth to use - poor girl. The local newspaper also wrote a very nice story highlighting our trip to New York :-)
Zippy was featured on a "Peculiar Pets" Segment on the local news channel back in 1995 and was runner up in the Ft. Myers News Press Ugly Dog Contest . That same year, Zippy also sported a "nicely fitted" bathing-suit attire for the Collier County Humane Society/Chico Fashions Fundraiser which was held at the Registry Resort. Zippy received airtime and mention on the evening broadcast of the event with the Newscasters getting a big chuckle out of her "dog thong":-)
Through the years, Zippy's beautiful face has graced the Front Page of the Naples Daily News, and has been pictured in the Naples Daily News, Ft. Myers News Press, and the Bonita Banner many times, along with her recent victory and story at Bonitanews.com, Modernpooch.com, and on Dogexplorer.com - who pays a nice tribute to Zippy. 
Zippy also won a blue ribbon for "Best Dressed" at the Domestic Animal Services contest in 1996, and was runner-up for "Best Dressed" and pictured in the Naples Illustrated Magazine for her snappy attire. She was a lady of style!
During the latter part of this year, I have always wanted to get Zippy out to meet Sam, in CA., because everyone knows, he is the "World's Ugliest" Dog. That dream never came to pass for Zippy or for Sam, as I learned that Sam passed away just after Zippy. Now they are together, and she has finally met Sam-The-Man, for better or for worse :-) I have spoken with Susie about her loss, and she 
believes that maybe they
were true soul-mates. . passing away in the same week . . and both are in a better place now - kissing and growling forevermore..
My sign from Zippy that everything is ok was the "Earring at the Door", and I will never forget it. On Nov. 5th, upon leaving the contest and getting into my car, I noticed that I had lost my left earring. I didn't think anything of it, and thought it was in the dust at the Flea Market somewhere. I never looked for it again, or ever saw it again until the day I came home to bury Zippy on November 12th. On my 1st or 2nd trip into my home , I saw it, right there sparkling at me at the front door, almost as if someone had placed it there. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but there it was, and it was the one that I had lost. Tears welled up in my eyes all over again, but I think that in someway, or somehow, it was from my girl, to let me know that she was thinking of me too and that she is ok.
My beloved Zippy has been laid to rest next to her long time pal, Harriette, underneath the red and yellow rosebushes. Together, forever - in my thoughts.
Right now there is a big hole in my heart, and a void in our home that can never be replaced. Gigi is a little lost without her Mama Zippy, but with time, we will find another special friend to adopt us and keep our lives full again. 
Until then, Gigi gets all the attention and care that she needs right now.
My sincerest appreciation goes out to Dr. Randy Eisel and his staff at Animalife for all of their hard work and concern for Zippy. Randy is the Vet I was working under during my tenure at the CCHS, and he found Zippy and gave her her wonderful name. It was befitting, and an honor to have Dr. Randy Eisel there with us at the end to say goodbye.
Someday down the road, I hope to pay tribute to my wonderful friend Zippy, and find a way to let everyone know how special she was to me. She was the one that kissed away my tears when I was sad, and was the one who kept me warm when I was alone and pregnant with my son. She always knew what to do.
God, I'll miss her, and her little cat meow she used to make, they way she would wait for me to take out a load of warm laundry from the dryer, and dive right in the middle of it, her Mama Zippy demands for her midnight snack, zipping down the road to smell the smells, playing with her squeeky toys, riding in the car on my lap and turning many a travelers head, basking in the sun in her favorite chair, and most of all her presence. It's a little lonely around here.
Until it is time for us to meet again, I have a thousand good memories and enough pictures to last a lifetime. Bless Zippy's heart for putting up with, indulging and humoring a Mother (with a weird sense of humor) - who loved to take pictures and had a prop, wig and a new hair color for more than one occasion. She was truly the "best of the best" in my heart and will live on forever - until the day we meet again :-)
Love & Kisses Forever - My Zippity-do-dog -
Showdog - Superstar!
Love, Mom, Gigi & Sean
Sweet Dreams my baby girl - your with the Angels now
Zippy can be seen on Dogster.com, Fuglydog.com, Dogexplorer.com, Crowdedbrain.com, and more, and for all the Chinese Crested owners & lovers out there, make sure to visit Chinese Crested Insight Group at Yahoo. Chinese Chrested hairless dogs are one of the most unique breeds known to man, and these lovely animal friends will find a way to wiggle themselves onto your lap, and into your heart - forever - time and time again:-)
I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and words on Zippy's passing. It means a lot to me, as this has been a bit of a hard time, and an adjustment in my world. Zippy was the best friend I ever had, and hopefully she thought the same of me. 
Zippy's true originality made her a little Diva and a "Slice of Life" in Naples and Bonita Springs, and hopefully down the road I'll be able to write a song, a book or make a movie about the Life & Adventures of Zippity-do-Dog - Showdog- Superstar!
Till then, I'll think about and always miss my little bed warmer, my Mama Zippy -
Love, Kelly A. Smith
Please make sure to visit Zippy's Picture Gallery at the MAIN page. These, will hopefully make you smile, as I have for many years, and check back for any further developments on her site. Also, If anyone would have any information on the family in Naples that turned her in to the Collier County Humane Society in 1995, I would sure appreciating knowing.
Once again, thank you for visiting and reading about my special girl.
Sincerely,
xxoo - Kelly
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p.s. Zippy & Sam have a secret! A long lost love child :-)
Visit Sam's site and find out more - http://samugliestdog.typepad.com/blog/
Our legacy will live on forever - :-))
Psst - if you though Sam & I were ugly, you should see him!!!
Proud Mama Zippy & the Gang
ZIPPY - The Dog so Ugly, She's Cute! - Ugly Dog - Diva & Superstar Calendars will be available in about a week . . Just enough time for the Holidays! so stay tuned - :-)) Zippy Greeting Cards, Mugs, and T-Shirts and a line of Diva Doggy Wear to be introduced. Movie Tribute and Book dedicated to one of the most personable, lovable animal friends in the world - probably. Zippy had a heart of gold and was truly one of the best human-like friends I've ever known!
And everyone out there reading this, make sure you give all your pet pals and members of your family a great Big HUG. Sometimes, this is the Best Kind of Love that there is - in the entire world :-)
Sweet Dreams Sam - Yours Forever Now - Mama Zippy
pssst (you didn't tell anyone about our little secret did you???) :-)))
Last but not least, my site was encountering a problem, where I couldn't access it. By revising and reposting this, the comments and condolences from my previous tribute are not here, but can be found on the main page or on the previous tribute. I have received many thoughtful, sweet, and sincere letters on Zippy's passing that have made me shed a tear or two. They are very much appreciated and just wonderful - Kelly
Make sure to come back for your "One of a Kind" Zippy products - and stayed tuned for the "Unveling" of PeeWee. It's going to be an Ugly Dog Event you won't want to miss!
Thank you Zippy for being in my life and loving me the way you did. I miss you sweetie - Mom
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