HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Sugar the Surfing Dog, a beloved Southern California canine and five-time World Dog Surf champion, died on Monday, her owner said. She was 16.
The death of the rescue therapy dog came three weeks after her owner, Ryan Rustan, announced the pup’s cancer diagnosis.
Rustan said that Sugar died peacefully in his arms, surrounded by love, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The city of Huntington Beach announced Sugar’s death in a social media post, adding that the community “is mourning the loss of a true local legend.”
“Sugar wasn’t just a champion on the waves — she was a symbol of joy, resilience, and purpose,” city officials wrote. “From inspiring the surfing world to advocating for rescue dogs and bringing comfort to veterans as a therapy dog, her impact reached far beyond the shoreline.”
Sugar was the first animal ever inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, KABC reported.
Before she found fame on the waves, Rustan found Sugar living on the streets of Oakland, California. KTTV said she had been abused and starved. Rustan had his own challenges with mental health and substance abuse. The television station added they rescued each other and that he is in recovery.
She was also a therapy dog at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Long Beach, People reported.
Dressed in a life jacket, Sugar would ride the waves of the Pacific Ocean on a surfboard while spectators watched in amazement, The Associated Press reported.
Sometimes she would ride solo, while Rustan would accompany her on other occasions.
“She lived to put smiles on faces, volunteer, to send it !! to change dog surfing forever !!! thank you for loving Sugar,” Rustan wrote in an Instagram post. “Good bye my Sugar., i can’t believe in writing this .. i’m going to miss you so much.”
“Thank you, Sugar, for the smiles, the waves, and the legacy you leave behind,” the city of Huntington wrote on Facebook.
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