Wednesday the Chihuahua, perhaps the most famous dog in all of Flagler County, passed away this week. Her passing was announced by her owner, Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley. Wednesday became a local icon for her ambassadorship to the Hang 8 Dog Surfing Extravaganza, the annual novelty surfing contest which consistently draws hundreds to thousands and has garnered national media coverage.
“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Wednesday, the Hang 8 founder,” the Hang 8 social media page shared on Monday. “She inspired so many dogs to surf and so many humans to participate in the fun of what Hang 8 has become. She will be profoundly missed. Although not a social media dog, Wednesday had an extensive following throughout the area. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with her and her family – and go rescue a dog! They will change your life.”
Wednesday’s Legacy
Wednesday with owner Eric Cooley. ⓒ Eryn Harris
Notably mellow for her breed, Wednesday was amusingly comfortable riding waves in Flagler Beach on her own surfboard. She could commonly be seen donning her trademark red lifejacket and carving rides that would make even local icon Frieda Zamba jealous.
Where Wednesday made her most profound impact was where she inspired other dog owners to give their companions a new and exciting experience. Her example gave many a new and fun way to get active, enjoy the beach, and spend time with their pets. Judging from the dozens of Hang 8 competitors from across the country, dog surfing might just be a gold mine of untapped sporting entertainment.
According to Cooley, Wednesday had been battling congestive heart failure for about a year and a half leading up to her passing. He said she would’ve been ten or eleven years old when she passed. As Wednesday was a rescue dog, her exact age was uncertain. “For the thousands of people that knew her thru the years, it goes without saying there is simply no words that can be put in a post to describe her impact on everyone,” Cooley wrote on Facebook. “What an adventure you took all of us on Wednesday. I love you and will miss you so so much.”
If there exists such a thing as the rainbow beach walkover, there’s little doubt that’s where Wednesday now trots. ⓒ Eryn Harris
