Scratch This: Hang 18!

As far as swimming goes, I can barely dog-paddle. So, I’m pretty impressed with literal dogs for whom paddling is puppy’s play and can actually ride the waves on a board.

On June 20 and 21, over 40 dogs gathered in Huntington Beach for the Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals. The dogs came from all over the country, with more than 25 from California. The competitor pups comprised all sizes, shapes, coat colors, and breeds and mixes thereof. There were beginners, veterans, former champions, and even one visually impaired dog. And not a hodad in the bunch. Lots of hot-dogging, though.

Purina Pro Plan pet food sponsors the competition, now in its 28^th year. Canine jocks compete to earn a trip to the national finals in St. Louis. Competitions include large- and small-dog agility courses, high-flying disc routines, head-weave pole racing, diving off a 50-foot dock into a 20,000 gallon pool and, of course, surfing. You’ll get the idea from watching the video:

The surfing competition takes up a full day. Participation is by invitation — hopefuls are eyeballed at other surfing events not affiliated with the Dog Challenge, and there are open qualifications usually about a month before the actual competitions. During the challenge, dogs ride the waves at Huntington Beach State Park, wearing life jackets and surrounded by lifeguards to keep them safe. A veterinarian from Purina is there to handle illness and any sunburned nosies.

Carson made the cut three years ago, which is no surprise considering that surfing is in his blood. Well, through adoption, anyway. Now 11 years old, he was rescued in 2014 from Fur Baby Rescue in South Central Los Angeles by Long Beach resident Jill Nakano.

Nakano is a certified surf instructor at her business, Good Kharma Surf. She took up surfing in her thirties after catching the bug while visiting relatives in Hawaii. When she got home, she joined Southern California surf clubs and performed in coalition competitions. She rescued two other dogs before Carson, both of whom became epic surfers.

Carson was rambunctious and naturally stoked when Nakano adopted him. Before he was allowed to even try on a life jacket, he needed structure and behavioral modification

“His first foster home returned him because he could jump four-foot fences.” Jill said. “The rescue mentioned his high athletic abilities, which fit my requirements for a surf dog.”

Carson learned basic commands and trust under the tutelage of a certified trainer. Then came surf school. Nakano gradually acclimated Carson to his board and gave him balance training on land and in the water. Then, she introduced him to actual waves, staying with him the entire time. Because Long Beach hasn’t been known for its waves for decades, the two go to other SoCal dog-friendly beaches to practice.

Carson had his first competition in 2018 at the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon fundraiser in Del Mar, to benefit pets at the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Last year, he rode two surfboards to shore in another competition.

Carson will be 12 next year. If he’s invited to next year’s Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Competition, Nakano said that she’ll determine whether he can compete with younger dogs before deciding. He’s not hanging up his board yet, though — he’ll continue to give surfing lessons to other dogs, with Nakano as his assistant. And like any celebrity worth his Pro Plan Snackers, Carson gives part of his leisure time to volunteering. He’s a certified therapy dog through Love on a Leash and visits humans who need some furry cheer.

Even if they have water in their ears, dogs are excellent listeners. Carson goes to teenage wellness centers and assisted-living residences, and recently went to Altadena to comfort young people who’d been displaced by the fires. Before the competition, he went to see 106-year-old Nancy Stratford, the last surviving member of the Air Transport Auxiliary, a World War II civilian group in Great Britain, whose members flew planes from the U.S. to Britain for the Royal Air Force. Stratford and Carson likely swapped stories.

“Everybody’s a winner,” Nakano said. “They got here, they got to compete, sure, you win a little medal, but we’re just happy to be here.”

Nakano thanked the event planners and the Huntington State Beach lifeguards for keeping all the dogs safe in the water. She had a last word for dog surfing.

“I want to also honor the history of dog surfing from the 1920s, when dogs rode heavy wooden boards with their owners in California and Hawaii. We’ve come a long way since then.”

Want your dog to be competition-worthy?

Get training from a professional. Here are tips from Carson, as told to Jill Nakano:

• Ensure that the dog has solid skills, including recall and basic commands like “Sit” and “Stay.” They also must focus well and trust you, and be social with people and other dogs. Of course, they must enjoy the beach.
• Take lessons and learn surfboard, ocean and water safety. Always have a life vest for the dog.
• Be patient, and do not force the dog. Be a great cheerleader — use positive reinforcement and praise to build their confidence on the surfboard.
• Use rewards for your dog during training.
• Consistency in working with your dog is important. Foundational training such as balance practice can go on at home or in a pool, a lake, or a bay.
• Learn how to launch your dog when they can confidently ride waves.

Jill Nakano and Carson offer dog and human surfing lessons at Good Kharma Surf. Follow Carson on his website. The Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge airs Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. PDT on NBC and will stream starting the following day on Peacock.

YOURS DROOLY

K9 Kismet, a volunteer, foster-based rescue located in Long Beach, is celebrating its 10^th anniversary of rescuing and rehoming pets and helping pets already in homes to stay there. Organized in 2015, K9 Kismet has helped more than 600 animals leave the shelter system or not enter it at all. The organization’s Amigos Program assists people having trouble caring for their pets financially, helping the animals to stay with their humans and not be relinquished to a shelter or the street.

“The K9 Kismet Amigos Program was created to help families in crisis,” volunteer Nici Daniels said. “When a vet bill becomes too much to bear, the family contributes what they can, and we cover the rest. No judgment. No strings attached. No surrender required. Just help.”

K9 Kismet is also a friend to our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Service (LBACS). The nonprofit’s #ShelterSpotlight social media networking leads eyeballs to LBACS dogs who’d otherwise be ignored. Dozens of them have found homes with this focus. Best of all, K9 Kismet regularly pulls dogs from LBACS and sends them home with volunteer fosters, leaving LBACS little less overcrowded and some lucky dogs a lot comfier and happier as they wait in a temporary home for a forever one.

Here's a triple video feature of three hopefuls. None of them can ride the waves — yet — but they’d love to couch-surf at your place, like, forever, dude.

Adoption applications and other information are available here.

Levi, 6 years old, is a good boy who loves people. He’s affectionate and cuddly, and honestly hasn’t gotten the message that he’s not a lapdog. He always finds a way to snuggle close and lay his giant dome on your lap. He also sleeps through the night — you may have to rustle him for breakfast instead of the other way around.

Levi had to rebuild his stamina after being found as an emaciated stray with an abdominal blockage, but he now has all kinds of pep in his step for walks and hikes. He's great in the car, always eager to jump in the back seat and see the sights. Levi is house-trained, curious, smart, tolerant and motivated by treats and praise. He’s successfully lived with other dogs in the past and has had dog friends of various sizes; he prefers the ladies and calm males. The volunteers believe he could live happily with a pack, with proper introductions, or as a solo dog.

Recently, Tiger Lily suffered a sad loss: her human passed away. For the past two and a half years, she’d lived with a man who had been her temporary foster through LBACS and continued to be there for her once K9 Kismet pulled her into rescue to save her from euthanasia and get her the extensive emergency dental care she needed.

Now a healthy senior at nearly 10, Tiger Lily is looking for an adopter to spend her golden years with. She’d be happy as an only dog or as part of a pack, and she likes cats! Tiger Lily loves everyone she meets. When anyone pets this affectionate girl, she leans in as though to say, “Where have you been my whole life?” She carries her doting nature over to her stuffed toys — she meticulously picks out her favorites from a toy box and carries them one by one to her bed before diving in and enjoying them.

And don’t let her age fool you — Tiger Lily lights up at the very mention of a walk. Her preference would be a route that never ends, but she’s happy to follow your lead. She’s is well-mannered on the leash, sticking by your side and waiting for cues. At the end of a long day, this sweet soul will put herself to bed, where she sleeps peacefully through the night. Tiger Lily’s more than ready to find a home to call her own.

Meet Bean, or as her foster calls her, Beanie Baby. Like those little stuffed toys, she’s soft, lovable and compact. She loves physical closeness. As a professional cuddler, she would absolutely live in your lap if she could. Those big, soulful eyes seem to say, “You're my person.”

Bean was found as a stray in May. This sweet pocket pittie walked up to a family attending a gathering in a park in bad shape. When she got to LBACS, she was found to be emaciated and dehydrated, with several mammary masses, traces of blood in her urine, skin and ear infections, and worn-down teeth. By the looks of her, this momma had likely known little more than overbreeding and neglect, but her tail wags when anyone shows her kindness. K9 Kismet pulled Bean into rescue so she could be medically rehabilitated.

She’s comfortable in her foster home; she’s never had an accident and knows how to “sit,” “wait” (begrudgingly) and “place.” Bean is food-motivated and incredibly gentle with treats. On walks, she’ll stop to sniff the flowers but still keeps a spring in her step. She’s also great in the car, is curious about the world around her, and shows off her smarts when training. Bean has yet to meet a person or a dog she isn't instantly friendly and relaxed around. If you’re looking for a loyal companion with a gentle heart and an intelligent spark, Bean might just be your perfect match.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Zazzy Cats Kitty Rescue fundraiser

Fun and funds to benefit a great cat rescue and their cat sanctuary project! See flyer for information!

Sweat to Protect takes place Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. at Grijalva Park, 368 N. Prospect St., Orange, donation based.

Show Us Your Kitties! calendar fundraiser

Whether you’re a cat person, just like cats, or need to learn to love them, checking the date on a wall calendar embellished with a veritable clowder of cats is perfect for you! Your cat can be a part of it, too. Cats are notoriously good at taking up space, and yours can take up one or two when you enter them in the Helen Sanders CatPAWS 2026 calendar contest. Top vote winner gets their choice of month to feature their pointy-eared pal, and the 11 runners-up will each be featured on a calendar month. There’ll be room for a lot more on the back cover, and you can also purchase a date to celebrate your cats and give them their own holiday!

Access this link for instructions for how to enter your cat in the Show Us Your Kitties calendar contest. Entries may be submitted until Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9 PDT. Voting ends Sunday, Sept. 14 at 9 p.m. PDT.

Benny’s Birthday and Love Your Pet Party

Benny the Cat is turning 8 years old this year, and that’s reason to celebrate! After the abuse he received at just a few months old, at the hands of a heartless owner, it was doubtful that he’d see even his first birthday. But his now-mom Bev, the staff at the shelter, and Helen Sanders CatPAWS provided the care he needed, and he made it. Read his story here.

To celebrate Benny and all the little lives he’s had an impact on, CatPAWS throws a party for him every year! Read the little flyer above for information, including ticket sales, and join Helen Sanders CatPAWS for fun, games, prizes and celebrating Benny’s survival of abuse and leading his best life!

Benny’s Birthday takes place Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Seal Beach Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Dr., Seal Beach. See flyer and visit this link for all information.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.