Meet Turbo, this year’s official Walk4ALZ Pet Mascot!
Turbo is well-known on social media and in the local surfing community as Surf Dog Turbo. Dog mama Jenna welcomed him into the family when he was just five months old. At first, they were having a bit of trouble naming him, but as Jenna shares: “Give a dog an opportunity, and they will tell you who they are.”
One day, the Golden Retriever came tearing down the hallway and into the family room Turbo-speed, and the rest is history. “He’s been running everywhere he goes ever since,” Jenna chuckles.
Turbo has been an important member of their family for the past eight years. And now, Jenna’s excited to share his smiles and sweet howls with the Walk4ALZ community. He’ll be walking with Takeda’s Team TCAL to kick-off the Virtual Walk on October 17th. Keep reading to get to know Turbo in the Q&A with Jenna below!
Q: What are Turbo’s favorite foods/treats?
A: EVERYTHING…Turbo unfortunately has some health issues and is allergic to too many foods to name. We have him on a special diet to keep him healthy, but it doesn’t have a lot of variety. At the same time, he’s probably the most food motivated dog you’ll ever meet! It’s difficult not being able to give him most treats because trust me he would eat absolutely anything if we let him! But luckily for us, he’s always happy with the treats and food we’ve identified as safe for him.
Q: Tell me about Turbo’s surf journey. How has he become known as Surf Dog Turbo?
A: Turbo isn’t our first surfing dog. His predecessor, Mackey, another Golden Retriever, surfed as well. When we brought Turbo home and the two dogs bonded, we wanted to give Turbo an opportunity to try surfing as well. He took to it immediately, and it was clear he loved it even MORE than Mackey, who was telling us he was ready to retire. Turbo’s balance on the board, his affinity for water, and his love of just being with us have all contributed to his enjoyment of surfing.
His social media accounts didn’t come along until a couple of years later, and ever since, he’s been entertaining his followers, drawing attention to worthy causes, raising funds, and just sharing his golden life with whoever wants to join him.
Turbo also has a wall full of trophies and medals from various competitions over the years: Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, Surf Dog Events’ Imperial Beach and Surf City events, and the Purina Pro-Plan Incredible Dog Challenge just to name a few. But although he’s still surfing, he isn’t competing anymore. His most precious experiences have generally come from other surfing activities. He has had the great honor of surfing with children and adults with other-abilities, fatherless boys, etc. Through surfing, he’s made friends from all walks of life. He even surfed a wave machine on a Guinness World Record-breaking float in the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena! He also was the first dog to take and raise funds for the 100 Wave Challenge, which benefits a local mentoring organization, Boys to Men.
Q: What are Turbo’s favorite places to surf in San Diego?
A: We are so fortunate here in San Diego County to have many dog-friendly beaches. Turbo has numerous favorites, including Del Mar Dog Beach, Coronado Dog Beach, Ocean Beach Dog Beach, and Cardiff State Beach.
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Q: What is your personal connection to the cause?
A: Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia have touched the lives of so many of our friends and acquaintances over the years. Although our immediate family has so far been spared, one cannot help but feel the tremendous need for the resources and services that Alzheimer’s San Diego provides.
I was reminded just the other day of a beautiful moment of connection with a neighbor who had Alzheimer’s. It was a day when she was fully present and her recollections were clearer than usual, and she wanted to visit. Our conversation that day is one I’ll never forget, those moments of joy I saw in her became my joy as well.
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More recently, my own father was diagnosed with a brain tumor that eventually took his life. While I cared for him, I realized that he was experiencing dementia-like symptoms because of the location and size of the tumor. Brain health took on a whole new meaning for me then as I, unfortunately, watched him suffer. This in turn increased my own awareness for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia – and their caregivers.
Additionally, right now, we have a dear friend’s parent enduring Lewy Body Dementia and its devastating effects. I suppose my point is, witnessing all of these brain health issues has heightened our own determination to support dementia-related causes. Alzheimer’s research, and the vast resources developed for families, plus the increased awareness of what the reality of living with dementia means to a family – these all actually benefit even more people than those with the Alzheimer’s diagnosis. But that’s what Alzheimer’s San Diego is really all about. It benefits all involved.
Q: What are you excited about for this year’s walk?
A: Our family is excited to participate in this year’s walk. Turbo experienced the swell of support from people living with Alzheimer’s and families at last year’s walk with Team Takeda, and we all want to be a part of making the Walk4ALZ a success this year as well. We can’t let the challenges associated with going virtual this year stop us from supporting the cause!
