An interview with Ricochet the SURFice dog

There’s just something cool about dogs that surf.

There’s something even cooler about a dog that surfs in competition.

But a dog that surfs in competition and raises awareness for charitable causes, well, that’s just downright BITCHen!

Meet Ricochet, if you haven’t already, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, who has gone from service dog, to SURFice dog.

“I was born, and raised as part of the Puppy Prodigies Neo-Natal & Early Learning Program with hopes of becoming a service dog for a person with a disability,” Ricochet recently told the Surfing Examiner. “But, they tell me I'm a little too interested in chasing birds, and other small animals. So, my career path changed, and instead of becoming a service dog, I became a SURFice dog!”

The sudden change in career paths did not deter Ricochet. Instead, she made the most of her newfound abilities.

“As part of the Puppy Prodigies program, I was exposed to many new and exciting things in my whelping box, and then the puppy play yard,” says Ricochet. “I had lots of obstacles to maneuver over, under, around, on top of, etc including swings, wobble boards, skateboards, and many other un-even surfaces. As a result, I developed an amazing sense of balance and coordination.”

Balance and coordination, exactly what it takes to excel at surfing.

“At 8 weeks of age, in addition to my service dog task training,” she barks, “I began surf dog training on a boogie board in a kiddie pool just for fun. Most of my training from that point on was conducted at home, on dry land. In the summer of 2008, I had a few practice sessions in the calm water of Fiesta Island.”

And, as all surfers know: One wave and your hooked, and Ricochet was no exception.

“In the spring of 2009, I began going out to Fiesta Island again, taking small paw steps before taking the giant leap to the ruff waters of the ocean,” recalls Ricochet. “I had been in the ocean about three times when I got a last minute call to compete in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf Competition on June 12, 2009. I was still quite a novice grom at 15 months old, but managed to win 3rd place in the large dog category, and was only one point off from the 2nd place winner.”

Ricochet now has more than 10,000 facebook fans. She has surfed numerous contests in 2010, repeating her 3rd place finish at this month's Purina Incredible Dog Challenge and continues to not only raise the level of her self-confidence, but awareness and mucho dollars for her growing list of charities.

“I’ve raised thousands and thousands of dollars for charitable causes, almost $30,000 in just 8 months!” she boasts. “And I’ve inspired millions of people with my SURFice dog video, which went viral and has over 2.4 million views!”

The Surfing Examiner is proud to admit, he is one of those 2.4 million, and he suggests you become one (below), as well.

This is certainly not the last we’ll hear from this precious pooch, for Ricochet is very busy, doing good deeds for those in need.

So, until next time, as Ricochet likes to say: “Paw-abunga”

For more information: Visit Ricochet’s website, and follower her on facebook.

Special thanks to Judy Fridono for use of the the video and Diane Edmonds for the photos. See more her photography at www.EppicSurf.com/DianeEdmonds.