Martha the 'very chill' mastiff sleeps through her victory at World's Ugliest Dog contest
It may sound like an insult, but rescue worker Shirley Zindler says it was "an honour" to have her massive, wrinkly foster pooch Martha be crowned World's Ugliest Dog on Friday.
"The contest actually promotes adoption of dogs that wouldn't be as traditionally desirable, so I think it's a good thing," Zindler told As It Happens guest host Laura Lynch.
It's a worthy cause for a dog like Martha.
The Neapolitan mastiff was originally discovered six weeks ago in a Craigslist post, suffering from what turned out to be a severe eye infection that left her partially blind and in chronic pain.
The Dogwood Animal Rescue Project, which Zindler co-founded, took her in and provided the care she needed.
"She's had several surgeries that restored some of her sight, but most of all ... she's no longer in any pain, so it's really a great thing," Zindler said.
Despite Zindler's excitement at Friday's win, Martha seemed pretty unimpressed by the whole thing.
The great, lumbering beast snoozed on the stage through her victory at the World's Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, Calif.
"Martha is very chill. Nothing fazes her," Zindler said. "They announce it, I am happy, and Martha's snoring."
And the 125-lb pooch's snores are nothing to scoff at.
"It pretty much rattles the walls," Zindler said. "At home she doesn't sleep in the same room with us because we wouldn't sleep."
Does ur pooch snore like Martha? Have a recording? Let us know on Twitter, send to [email protected], or call 416-205-5687 <a href="https://t.co/xBRHpRaAdq">https://t.co/xBRHpRaAdq</a>
—@cbcasithappensMartha's relaxed attitude may have been part of what made her a fan favourite at this year's competition, which traditionally favours small and scraggly dogs.
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"She's just this massive thing with heavy bones, ruby jowls and wrinkles, and she was definitely a crowd favourite," Zindler said.
Take a look at some of Martha's competition:
Now that the big day is over, Martha is heading to her new home. She's being adopted by a dog-loving family in Pengrove, Calif., with 11 acres of land and a pond.
Zindler suspects they'll be happy with the newest edition to their family.
"Most of the time, [she's] super mellow and chill. But when she's up and moving, she's very playful, very funny, super adorable. She loves to play, and gets along with the other rescue dogs that we have at Dogwood," Zindler said.
"She's very friendly, loves people, you now, gets along with everybody."
Do you have a dog (or cat) that snores like Martha? Send a recording of your noisy slumbering critter to [email protected], tweet it to @cbcasithappens or just hold the phone up to the cacophony and dial 416-205-5687.