Riding the Wave

“Let go and look at the opportunities that present themselves around you…as bizarre as they may seem.”

Are you confident that you’re fulfilling your life’s purpose? Really stop and think about it. It takes guts to pursue your passion, and even more guts to admit that you got lost along the way. For a bit on inspiration, here is the story of Ricochet, a Guide-Dog School dropout who, along with her trainer Judy Fridono, learned how to let go of expectations (and the leash) and embrace the unknown. 

Ricochet (aka Riki) was born to be a guide dog for the physically disabled. From nearly day one, Judy worked to teach the golden retriever how to open doors, turn off lights, and above all else, keep her owner-to-be safe. Despite months of work, Riki wasn’t progressing like her peers. “She seemed to be uninterested in her life,” said Judy. “I thought there was something wrong with her.” Couple Riki’s lackadaisical attitude with her penchant for chasing birds, and it seemed like this dog wasn’t cut out for greatness. 

After months of debating and trying to mold Riki into something that she wasn’t, Judy released her from the program and chose to keep her as a companion. Though admittedly focused on Riki’s faults, Judy was determined to find Riki’s purpose. From her previous training days, Judy knew that Riki had good balance and thought it would be fun to enter her into a dog surfing competition in their hometown of San Diego.  After practicing in a baby pool in the backyard, Riki was ready! 

Sure, dog-surfing competitions are fun, but Judy pushed a bit further. “I thought, in addition to entering contests, maybe she can do something more, like fundraising.” Through friends in the guide-dog community, Judy learned about Patrick, a 15 year old quadriplegic who wanted to surf and needed help raising money for his care. Soon a surfing event was planned with Riki ‘on board’ to make an appearance. Patrick and the dog met and an instant bond was formed.

On the day of the event, a “magical experience happened in the water.” As if on cue, Riki knew that she had to jump on the board behind Patrick to balance him out so that he could surf. “She knew her purpose,” Judy said. The pair took over 30 runs in the water. A camera crew caught the action and within days the event made it on local media and YouTube. Not only was money raised for Patrick, but a little golden retriever also found her bliss. 

Riki’s gone on to raise money for other worthy causes and right behind her is her devoted owner Judy, a degenerative joint sufferer herself.  Though she’s lived with chronic pain her entire adult life, Judy is able to see that she and Riki’s purpose was destiny. “I felt like I was being channeled by a higher energy…I’m the driver but Riki’s the navigator,” Judy said. “Thank goodness I let go of what I wanted and let her be free!” 

Ricochet has an important lesson to teach all of us: Don’t be locked into what you think you should do or what others have told you to do. It’s time to loosen that vice grip on what you think is “control” and give in to the moment. Because as Judy said, “Go with the flow…Ricochet taught me that she was destined to do more than help one physically disabled person. Now she’s bouncing all over the world, inspiring millions.”