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Sadly, 'world's ugliest dog' Sam, who won our hearts while ruining our appetites, has passed. The story of how he went from ASPCA euthanasia-row to the toast of late night television is as uplifting a Hollywood success story as you are likely to come by:

[Owner Susie] Lockheed said she initially was terrified of Sam when she agreed to take him in as a rescue dog six years ago on a 48-hour trial basis. Although she fell in love with him, his appearance repulsed her then-boyfriend and prompted the man to break up with her.

Sam would of course go on to become three time undefeated World's Ugliest Dog champion, and was soon claiming America's most beloved personalities and captains of industry as personal friends. We have no doubt he is looking down on us now with his cataract-whitened eyes, smiling his crooked smile, thinking, "Couldn't they at least have found a shot of me with Leno? I killed on Regis! 15 years dragging this ugly mug around and all I got to show for it is a frickin' picture with Carson Daly and my face blurred out. Good riddance, putzes."