DEL MAR, Calif. — A famous animal sculptor is hoping to raise the funding needed to create a life-size bronze statue of Ricochet the Surf Dog.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to Dog Beach in Del Mar to hear the exciting news and make a call for donations. Dog Beach in Del Mar is where so many people met Ricochet and I can think of no better place to put a surf dog statue.
Ricochet brought joy to thousands of people with special needs and veterans. If the famous surf dog is memorialized, the family of Ricochet's owner believes Susan Bahary is the artist for the job. "You embarrass me," laughed Susan as we bowed to her as she arrived at the beach.
Susan is a world-renowned animal sculptor. In 1994, she created the nation's first official war dog memorial. She also memorialized 'Sully', the service dog of President George H.W. Bush.
"This is perfect. This is where Ricochet needs to be," said Susan. When Ricochet passed away last spring, her owner Judy Fridono asked Susan to create a statue, then weeks ago when Judy unexpectedly died, Susan reached out to me. Susan is determined to make this happen.
"Yes, I really feel the memorial for Ricochet needs to happen. It's been in my mind and heart. I can't get it out I just feel like it needs to be born," said Susan.
Susan Bahary is a sculptor who has done many memorials for across the nation in places such as Arlington Cemetery. Her work is also seen around the world and expresses the human-animal bond and service animals and their handlers.
Susan is the founder, sculptor, and Chair of the National Service Animals Memorial that received Congressional authorization last December to build a memorial to the service and sacrifice of all service animals and their handlers in the nation's Capital.
The organization gave the Inaugural Purple Poppy Animal of the Year Award to Ricochet and Judy was so proud and excited about this National award.
When I told Judy Fridono's closest friends about Susan Bahary's interest, they were elated. "No way, that's the coolest thing, I have the goose bumps that's crazy," said Jennifer Volz.
Judy's wish potentially fulfilled brought tears of joy from her friends. The statue could be placed at dog beach in a garden already filled with goodness. Jimmy Joe Gooding created Gwen's Garden at Del Mar's Dog Beach to honor his yellow lab, Gwen.
"This was my girl, and she meant a lot to me," said Jimmy Joe. Hundreds of dog owners have left memorial rocks for their dogs and Jimmy Jo feels this is the perfect spot for Ricochet's statue. "We'll put Ricochet right here next to Gwen," said Jimmy Joe.
Susan showed me a sketch of what could be Ricochet riding a surfboard. "I am getting a really good feeling about this; come on universe we just need the money to do this right?" said Susan. The project needs dog owners across the county to pitch in financially.
"We need 145,000 dollars," said Susan. That money would pay for the statue, Susan's time, and support funding for the National Service Animals Memorial. A memorial that's been authorized by Congress in in Washington DC. Susan flew down from San Francisco to meet with me and try to make this happen.
"Yes, I did," she said. The famous artist is very serious about making this happen. "I am extremely serious. I will camp out here until we make this happen, ha, ha, ha, how serious do I need to be? I'm very serious," said Susan.
Susan Bahary is one of the foremost artists specializing in honoring the animal-human bond. Her works have had the honor and distinction of being in museums such as the National Museum of the Marine Corps, UC Davis College of Veterinary Science, military bases such as Quantico, and other noted public installations worldwide.
In 2020, her monument "The Pledge", featuring a woman soldier connecting with her devoted service dog as they ready themselves for their upcoming mission, was unveiled to great acclaim where it resides in the permanent collection of the Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.
Susan says donations made toward the statue will go directly to the 501 (c) (3) non-profit "National Service Animals Memorial" designated for the creation of the Ricochet Memorial and that they will receive a full tax deduction.
The donations will be funding 2 Memorials: Ricochet's Statue and the National Memorial. Should Susan Bahary not receive all the required funding for the Ricochet Memorial by the deadline in 12 months then it may not be able to be created.
Instead, there will be a mention of Ricochet on the on-site App in DC and a general mention of the San Diegans who generously donated toward that while helping NSAM at the same time.
If you'd like to learn more about Susan Bahary or make a donation to create a Ricochet Surf Dog Statue, click here.