Abbie's Story: From "Almost Dead" Rescue Dog to Champion Surfer

Do you doubt that shelter mutts can match dogs bought from breeders? Here's the tale of yet another formerly homeless hound who totally torches the competition.

Once upon a time, young Abbie went through heaven only knows what horrors. She wound up on the street, "almost dead," according to her rescuer.

Though she was lucky to be taken in by Silicon Valley Humane Society, her experiences left her feeling traumatized and withdrawn. In her lonely cage, she sat around twiddling her dew claws, trying to forget her past, and hoping that a Prince Charming would hurry up and come for her.

Actually she probably wasn't just sitting around. She must have been doing stretches, push-ups, jumping jacks and trotting in place, trying to stay fit, having a hunch that her future prince might be the athletic type.

Along comes hottie bachelor Michael Uy, and the next thing Abbie knows, he's patiently coaxing her out of her shell, and she's living the doggie dream with her own personal Dream Dude down in sunny San Diego.

Nowadays her past is so over. Running, biking, paragliding, snowboarding, sheep herding... There's practically nothing that three-year-old Abbie the Adventurer won't take on, especially when it involves face time with her fave fella.

Recently she scored one for shelter pooches everywhere by taking First Place in Helen Woodward Animal Center's 5th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon in Del Mar, California, a fundraiser to help other needy animals just like her.

Then she garnered more top dog honors in Huntington Beach's Surf City Surf Dog fundraiser - First Place in the medium dogs division and Best Wipe-Out. Awesome Abbie also picked up a prize for Best Trick when she hung on, hanging 20, even through a wild backwash wave that slammed into hers.

"People ask me what treats I give her during training," says Uy, "but no - surfing is the treat."

Also, as you'll see, Abbie appears to hold champion rank in yet another popular doggie sport - Extreme Kissing.

Watch our video from Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon.

And for Abbie's winning move, check out this video, uploaded to YouTube by SoCal Beaches magazine.

Image Source: Katerina Lorenzatos Makris

Check out the Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition 2010 photo slideshow for more surfing dogs!