Miss Ellie, beloved Chinese Crested Dog, passed away peacefully at the age of 17.
Dawn Goehring first met Miss Ellie when the Chinese Crested dog was just 7 years old. Miss Ellie had been rescued from a home and was brought to the dog trainer. In their ten years together, Dawn and Miss Ellie traveled around the country raising eyebrows and awareness and money for rescue animals.
Miss Ellie was--well, ugly, and she had the title to prove it. In 2009, she was the winner of the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Competition (pedigree division) at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California. She was also featured on Animal Planet's "Dogs 101" and featured on Fox News. She was also
Not one to rest on her laurels, Miss Ellie worked tirelessly to bring awareness to to animal rescue efforts. On November 12, 2009, Pigeon Forge Mayor Keith Whaley proclaimed it as being "Miss Ellie Day". Over the years, Miss Ellie had helped to raise over $100,00 for the Sevier County Humane Society
Miss Ellie, though blind in both eyes, performed with Goehring as part of the Comedy Canines act at the Comedy Barn. She also visited local schools to inspire children to be responsible pet owners and frequented nursing homes for pet therapy.
In a media statement released on Miss Ellie's passing, Dawn Goehring said "Miss Ellie has touched so many people's hearts and we thank everyone that supported her in her cruades. While we are deeply distressed by Miss Ellie's passing, we will not stop trying to make a difference for the animals."
Messages of condolences can be sent to:
The Comedy Barn Theater at 2775 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 37863 or emailed at
ComedyBarn@aol.com
Anyone who would like to help The Sevier County Humane Society with a tax-deductible monetary donation should send their check to:
The Sevier County Humane Society, P.O. Box 976, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. 865-453-7000.
