It was a week of rising waters and rolling waves. In both cases, pets emerged the winners.
Hundreds of spectators gathered along Mar Beach in Pacifica, California, on August 3rd for the ninth annual World Dog Surfing Championships.
Twenty dogs and their humans from as far away as Japan took their turns at carving the curls. Iza, the 17-year-old French bulldog, has ridden her share of peaks and troughs. This was the third competition for the seasoned veteran.
“French Bulldogs don’t surf and/or swim, they usually kinda sink. This one’s an over-achiever,” Iza’s handler boasted to ABC News. Not to be outdone, one Golden Retriever caught a wave backwards. Eight-year-old Ava, a black Lab sporting a floral bouquet on her harness, didn’t wipeout once. “She loves it,” her handler said. “I think the crowd excites her.”
Similar to human surfing, competitors are judged on good balance and how long they stay on their boards. Click here to see winners of each category in the 2024 competition.
In 2016, K. Reed believed dogs could “hang 10” (in their case, eight) beside biped’s Biggest Kahunas. The author of The Dog’s Guide to Surfing, approached Loews Coronado hotel in San Diego to host the inaugural event. The event was so popular, it spawned similar international competitions.
Proceeds from the Pacifica event supported local animal rescue organizations.
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As tropical storm Debbie bore down on the eastern seaboard last week, hundreds of volunteers stepped up to foster shelter animals.
Shelter staff clapped and cheered as TV cameras rolled past the emptied kennels. Outside Dorchester Paws, in Summerville, South Carolina, cars lined the street hundreds deep to answer the foster call. By the time Debbie slammed their community, 347 animals had been temporarily fostered.
“The affection and gratitude that these animals show you is unmatched,” Becky Jo Zimmerman said as Auggie, a short-haired mix, snuggled her.
“We cannot be more thankful and proud go our community,” April Howard, the shelter’s executive director, told ABC News.
Several miles away, at Berkeley Animal Center in Moncks Corner, cages and crates had completely emptied. One-hundred-thirty-seven animals found refuge in foster homes.
In one corner of the world last week, high tides and turbulent skies rallied folks on behalf of companion animals.