Ricochet

Riding a Wave of Hope with the Dog Who Inspires Millions

By: Judy Fridono, Judy Pfaltz

Narrated by: Dina Pearlman

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Ride the wave of hope with Ricochet - the only dog in the world who surfs with wounded warriors, people with disabilities, and children with special needs as an assistive aid and SURFice dog.

This tears-to-triumph story takes listeners behind the media sensation and shares Ricochet's true journey of promise, disappointment, and finding life's purpose. The gorgeous golden retriever Ricochet seemed destined to be a service dog from the moment she was born. She approached her training with boundless energy and surpassed every other dog in her Puppy Prodigy training class. Unfortunately, her love for chasing birds could prove dangerous for those she would assist. Fifteen months into her training, Ricochet was released, leaving a frustrated owner and a dog without a direction. Yet through a twist of fate, Judy realized that flunking out of school wasn't the end of the world - and in fact, could be the beginning of a new one. Once Judy learned to let go and let Ricochet be who she really was, they found her true calling as a SURFice dog.

Ricochet's story is one of synchronicity, our interconnectedness, and opening ourselves to life's 'paws'ibilities. Embracing her true calling, Ricochet began to help others, including those with traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, and physical disabilities, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes and inspiring people to believe in themselves. Ricochet does more than steady the board: She offers hope, comfort, healing, and a reason to keep fighting.

What gives this story such extraordinary potential to become a publishing sensation? Ricochet is the only SURFice dog in the world, there is no other story quite like it!

©2014 Judy Fridono (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Catching Your Wave

Judy grew up in Chicago and lived where crime was a way of life. She had two failed marriages and was still insecure and always afraid that when she opened the door someone would attack her.

Judy stayed in Chicago and chose a different kind of profession. She would bring a dog home for eighteen months and train the dog to become a service animal to help those with seen as well as unseen disabilities. Her first dog was was female and she named her, Rena. Judy took Rena back after the eighteen months and found it difficult because she had formed a bond with Rena.

Judy made a momentous decision and moved to California where a school taught student's how to start a business for service animal's. The first litter of ten puppies were ready for placement and Judy kept a female, Ricochet. Ricochet showed a definite ability for her first eight weeks. However, after the first eight weeks, Ricochet stopped learning, she refused. The only thing different she learned was of her own choice, to chase birds while at the beach.

To Judy's amazement, through sheer luck, Ricochet found her calling. While at the beach Judy and Ricochet met a woman and her son, who was paralyzed from his waist down.
(The book calls the child a quadriplegic, someone who is paralyzed from the neck down. The people described, who have paralysis as a diagnosis, have paralysis from the waist down.) He enjoyed surfing, while laying down on a surf board and using his hands, would catch a wave and glide in with his mother at his side, in case of a wipe out.

Ricochet took his lead and followed them into the water. He jumped on the surf board, keeping it stable so that Michael would not fall off. The time passed and more heard about the dog that surfed. They came to the beach and Ricochet began to surf with other disabled people. Judy found a purpose in her life and finally was able to relax and smile.

The book kept me interested from the first page until the last page. I have always wondered how it was that dogs can be so intuitive. I recently watched a segment on TV where the scientist's are now doing MRI's and other testing to understand just how it is that a dog's brain works. They are learning that dogs can love, express feelings and so many other things that are incredibly insightful into the inner workings of a dog.

The narrator was excellent. The character's voices were distinguishable one from the other. The character's were also well developed and that includes the dogs. Ricochet touched many lives and I hope will continue to touch many more. I would definitely encourage a friend to purchase this book. The book was a two day listen for me and I hated to have it end. The plot was well developed and interesting. The book was an enjoyable as well as an easy listen. If someone would like to learn just how smart dogs can be read the book about Ricochet and you will believe.

Ricochet

Great book about a dog helping people through tough experiences. She is what I want my girl to be like

Love me. a good dog story

Very cute story. Ricochet found her calling. May not have been guide dog worthy but aced the surfing dog.

Book lover

Love it. It is the best book I've ever listened to I would recommend it to people who love animals

RICOCHET ROCKS!

While I loved Ricochet and her very inspiring story, I thought that some parts dragged on; the book definitely could have been shorter. I also could not get into the higher power and the animal communicator stuff. I definitely would have preferred more of the focus to be on Ricochet and the people she surfed with. I found it slightly irritating that things always seemed to circle back to be about the author, even though the parallels she drew between certain people's life situations and her own were quite a stretch. The narration was average; it didn't add to or take away from the story.

Didn't want it to end!

Have you ever read/listened to a book you didn't want to end? That's how I felt about this book. Excellent!

Heartwarming!

Story of a very special dog who was used to help so many people in need. Great narration, drawing the listener in to experience each adventure with Ricochet.

I just don't buy animal communicators

My first concern was an Oprah Winfrey quote in the prologue.
The book gets right into great listening and has the makings of an awesome book about service dogs. Unfortunately, this author seems a bit out there to me.
While I am certain animals are perceptive and God ordained mans dominion over them, I just don't buy animal communicators. I have known perceptive and amazing dogs but I kept getting side lined by oddities of animal communicators.