Ricochet, The surfing dog

I watch a lot of Sportscenter. I enjoy all things sports. Always have.

Yesterday I saw the most amazing “SC: Moving Forward” segment featuring the Surfing Dog, Ricochet.

I cried. A lot. I love dogs and I do not understand people who don’t. Dogs become part of your family. They are so special and can do amazing things. Like Ricochet.

Ricochet showed promise as a puppy to be a well trained service dog for people with disabilities. Around 16 months, that all changed. She stopped responding to training. She loved the water and had a lot of energy. The one thing she did have was balance. She got a surfboard and never looked back.

She now helps people with disabilities get back in the water and on a surfboard with her behind them.

Please watch this story and have tissues close by. So amazing. So touching. So inspirational.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9291324&categoryid=5595394

Thank you ESPN/Sportscenter for this great story.

Cincinnati Reds & Batboy Teddy

I am a huge fan of the Cincinnati Reds. I went to my first Reds game when I was barely 2 weeks old. (My parents are obviously crazy).

I enjoy the atmosphere of being in Great American Ballpark. Of course, like every fan, I want my Redlegs to win all the games and most of the time, they don’t. I am a Cincinnati fan and anyone who knows Cincinnati knows we most likely will lose more often than win. The perks of rooting for any Cincinnati team. I am always proud of the Reds, win or lose. Now I am more proud to call myself a fan.

Teddy Kremer. A 30 year old man with down syndrome. Loves the Reds more than anything! Well the Reds have fallen in love with Teddy. He became the honoree bat boy on Aug 17, 2012. Normally the guest batboy is between 15-19 years old. Luckily the Reds fell in love with Teddy and had to have him in the bullpen!

This is the article that was published on Teddy. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120915/NEWS10/309150118/Ted-joined-Reds-day-changed-team-forever

He was recently the batboy again. This time gaining national attention after he told Todd Frazier to hit a homerun and guess what? Todd did. Teddy’s excitement was amazing. He was more excited than Todd. So excited in fact that he forgot to get his bat from home plate and the ump had to tell him to come get it. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/19/teddy-reds-batboy-cheers-_n_3114231.html

Pure Joy.

Anytime Teddy is in the bullpen, the Reds seem to win. The Cincinnati Reds good luck charm.

These are the sporting moments that ESPN should be focusing on. This is what being a sports fan is all about. Teddy has forever changed the Reds and I hope given all of you a new perspective.

Happy May and let’s go Reds! (And Teddy).