World's Ugliest Dog 2011 dies at 15

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HANFORD, Calif., March 15 (UPI) -- The dog named 2011's World's Ugliest Dog, a 15-year-old Chinese crested-Chihuahua mix, died in California, her owner said.

Yoda, the 1.8-pound dog, died Saturday, the Hanford (Calif.) Sentinel reported.

"Say a prayer today 4 my YODA...rest in peace 3-10-12," the dog's owner Terry Schumacher, of Hanford, wrote in an e-mail. "She passed away last night in her sleep. I will miss her funny little ways! But comforted knowing she will be joining my Mom and Dad, who loved her so much! Her memories will live on forever!!!"

Last June, Yoda and Schumacher were in the media spotlight when the dog won the 23rd annual World's Ugliest Dog contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma.

Yoda won a trophy, $1000, a photo shoot with Kira Stackhouse of Nuena Photography and an overnight stay in the Loft Suite at the Sheraton Sonoma County in Petaluma for Schumacher.