| Surf City Surf Dog This year, the Surf City Surf Dog event will be held on September 28-30, including opening ceremonies, Yappy Hour and a Dog is Beachin’ Fashion Show. It will also include a Hot Diggity Dog Expo and Pawabunga costume contest. And, of course, a surf competition. :: surfcitysurfdog.com |
Putting your dog on a surfboard can be unsettling, but for Kay DeLoach and her pup, Joey, surfing has become the main sport in their lives.
Westie Rescue of Orange County & Beyond (WROC) rescued this West Highland White Terrier, aka Westie, from a high-kill shelter five years ago. He naturally took to surfing four years ago when he simply walked onto a fellow beach-goer’s surfboard in Huntington Beach and took it for a spin – much to his owner’s surprise.
“[Joey and the surfer] went for a spin around the area, back to shore and Joey calmly walked off the board,” DeLoach says. “We knew this was Joey’s sport.”
Since that beach experience, Joey has participated in the Huntington Beach Surf City Surf Dog event for the last two years.
“Last year, he took surf lessons to prepare for the Surf City Surf Dog event,” DeLoach says.
Joey not only has a love of surfing, but he also loves the attention, she says.
“We were preparing for his first surf competition and I lost sight of him for a second,” DeLoach says. “When I located him, he was standing on a surfboard, surrounded by [news] photographers. All were smiling and laughing and taking his photo.”
Joey’s surfing talent is not only recognized in Huntington Beach where he surfs, he has been featured in print and photos around the world. He was featured on the West Highland Terrier Club of America’s Annual Rescue Magazine, Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register, and many others. He is also the logo model for WROC and is known as “the little rescue that was born to make waves.”
“[Joey] loves his picture taken. If he sees a surfboard on the sand, he walks over and jumps on it, waiting to be photographed,” DeLoach says.
In his free time or when the water is too cold to surf, Joey makes public appearances at schools and events to educate children on the importance of taking proper care of their pets.
“Joey is a great representative for WROC and great spokes-dog for rescue dogs everywhere,” DeLoach says.
