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Sugar, the Viral Surfing Dog, Dies Aged 16 Just Weeks After Cancer Diagnosis

Sugar, the viral surfing dog, died from cancer in her "daddy's arms" on Monday, March 30

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Sugar made history as the first animal inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame and held 19 surfing titles throughout her life
Her owner, Ryan Rustan, rescued her from the streets of Oakland, California, when she was a seven-month-old pup

Sugar, the viral surfing dog, has died aged 16 from cancer, her owner has revealed.

Ryan Rustan, owner of the rescue dog based in Huntington Beach, California, announcedon his Instagramon Monday, March 30, that Sugar had “passed away last night at 3:20 a.m in her daddy’s arms."

Sugar was best known for her impressive surfing skills, holding 19 titles throughout her life; she was also a five-time World Dog Surf Champion. The canine also made history by becoming the first ever animal inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.

Rustan shared that his talented pooch hadbeen diagnosed with cancer on March 2,riding her last ever wave later that week, on March 7.

He wrote: “She lived to put smiles on faces [and] to change dog surfing forever !!!"

“Thank you for loving Sugar, Goodbye, my Sugar., I can’t believe [I’m] writing this. I’m going to miss you so much 🙏 😩😩😩😩💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔.”

He shared the emotional update alongside a picture of Sugar enjoying her time in the water for the final time.

Sugar’s 33,000 followers rushed to pay their respects in the comments section, with one writing: “So sorry Ryan. You gave her the best life. I could see in her eyes she was holding on for you. Rest in Love sweet Sugar🐾❤️.”

Another said: “I’m sorry brother😢 she will be missed.. she made history 🏆,” while a third added: “You're a good papa! ❤️ Sugar rest in peace!”

Sugar, the viral surfing dogCredit: GoFundMe

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Another commented: “The best to ever do it! Rest in paradise to a legend! 💕💕💕.”

Rustan rescued Sugar from the streets of Oakland, California, when she a seven-month-old pup.

In addition to surfing, Sugar also served as a therapy dog at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Long Beach.

Rustan spoke with the local outletFox 11on March 4 after announcing her diagnosis and tearfully said, “She has only maybe a very short time.”

He described her as the “most decorated surfing dog on the planet.”

“She’s been on the forefront of showing other dogs how to ride a shortboard properly,” he said.

“I love her so much. I’m not ready for her to go. But she taught me a lot. She taught me that life’s cool."

Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

March 31, 2026

Sugar, the Viral Surfing Dog, Dies Aged 16 Just Weeks After Cancer Diagnosis

Sugar, the viral surfing dog, died from cancer in her "daddy's arms" on Monday, March 30 NEED TO KNOW ...

Hoda Kotb's Absence From 'Today' Show Raises Eyebrows

Hoda Kotb’s absence on the “Today” show after recordingSavannah Guthrie’s episode has caught attention. The senior TV host came back on the set in place of Nancy Guthrie’s daughter after the 84-year-old went missing. While Kotb has reportedly been present on the show every day, her absence on the March 30 episode raised eyebrows. Furthermore, the topic was not addressed during the broadcast.

Hoda Kotb’s absence on the ‘Today’ show was not addressed

Hoda Kotb’s absence on the “Today” show was reportedly not acknowledged in the latest episode. On the March 30 broadcast, the Saturday host, Laura Jarrett, accompanied Craig Melvin. Meanwhile, Kotb allegedly ended her time on the set, where she was filling in for Savannah Guthrie.

Moreover, Kotb’s absence was not addressed when Melvin welcomed Jarret on the morning show. “A very good morning to you. Thank you for starting your Monday with us. Thank you for starting your week with us as well. Laura Jarrett in for Savannah – who is back a week today,” he said.

While it raised eyebrows,Hello! Magazinementioned that Kotb had “prior commitments.” Earlier, she came back to help with the broadcast, and Savannah, while the latter has been dealing with a tough time. Reportedly, Kotb had to balance her work and personal commitments. For those unversed, she runs her own wellness brand, Joy 101. Additionally, she is the mother of two daughters, Haley, 9, and Hope, 6.

Although her absence was not addressed on the Monday episode, Kotb was praised on Friday’s broadcast. Melvin and Jenna Bush Hager thanked the senior journalist for coming to their rescue for the last couple of months.

Furthermore, the 61-year-old also made headlines for interviewing Savannah. The latter opened up about her mother’s disappearance, which has reportedly been suspected as a kidnapping case. In the three-part interview, she told Kotb why she assumed that Nancy was allegedly taken because of Savannah’s celebrity status.

The postHoda Kotb’s Absence From ‘Today’ Show Raises Eyebrowsappeared first onReality Tea.

byLiam Oneel

in

March 31, 2026

Hoda Kotb’s Absence From ‘Today’ Show Raises Eyebrows

Hoda Kotb’s absence on the “Today” show after recordingSavannah Guthrie’s episode has caught attention. The senior TV host came back on the...

Hilarious Reactions As Wild Swimsuit Dance By Beauty Pageant Contestant Goes Mega Viral

Acontestantditched thebeauty pageantplaybook and danced onstage as if the crown was already hers.

The internet was hooked after the 18-year-old contestant,Darathorn Yoothong, skipped subtlety altogether during the preliminary rounds of theMiss Grand Thailand competition.

“Honestly…she deserves to win just for the audacity of being herself when everyone’s so standard,” one netizen commented.

A Miss Grand Thailand contestant danced onstage as if the crown were already hers

Image credits:GrandTV

When Darathorn Yoothong competed in Miss Grand Thailand this month, playing it safe didn’t seem to be on her cards.

The 18-year-old wentviral for her unmatched energyand busted some unexpected hip-hop moves in five-inch heels.

Yoothong took the stage as Miss Grand Kalasin, representing one of the country’s 77 provinces.

Image credits:dadakerema

In a sea of contestants acting poised and polished, Darathorn stood out and kept all eyes on her when she was in the frame.

“She’s definitely a festival girlie,” one said, while another quipped, “She might’ve lost in this competition, but she’s won in the world.”

“In a world of folks trying to be elegant, be Miss Thailand,” read another comment.

“She did that in heels by the way, what a legend,” one commenter wrote online

Image credits:GrandTV

One said, “She needs to be in theOlympic break dance categorywith that b girl step.”

“She is so real. Inelegant is code for she doesn’t comply with the stepford wife standards,” another said. “Stop telling us how to act. She’s awesome!!!!”

“Winner energy right there,” one wrote.

Image credits:GrandTV

Image credits:DonRicky956

“Just give her the crown,” said another.

The crown ultimately went to Pattama Jitsawat, who represented the Chonburi province.

She will go on to represent Thailand at the Miss Grand International competition hosted by India later this year.

18-year-old Darathorn said she was “fighting” by herself to be in the competition

Image credits:senpaiquadry

Ahead of the competition, Darathorn announced to her fans that she wasjoining the Miss Grand International competitionand asked them for their love and support.

“It means a lot to me,” she said in a November post on Instagram. “I’ve been fighting to be here all by myself, and now it’s time!”

Image credits:GrandTV

Despite not winning, she was grateful for all the love she received online and shared a message to her fans about being truly herself.

“I just truly be myself but this is honestly unbelievable than i ever imagined,” she wrote online after the competition concluded. “

“Thankyou so much for the love from everyone all around the world,’ she added. “I promise I’ll be back stronger and even more fun.”

Another contestant from the Thai national pageant went viral after her teeth fell out

Image credits:ToxicKisToxic

For anyone who thought beauty pageants were predictable, the Miss Grand Thailand competition made them think again.

The national pageant had another viral moment this month aftercontestant Kamolwan Chanago’s teeth fell outonstage on March 25.

Kamolwan, who competed as Miss Pathum Thani, was giving her opening remarks when her dental veneers came loose mid-sentence.

Image credits:GrandTV

Image credits:skiny_legend

Viewers were surprised to see Kamolwan quickly turn around, adjust her veneers, and immediately continue.

“If I was her dentist… I’d be freaking out and heading to Bermuda!” one viewer commented on the viral moment.

“Omg I feel bad for her tho,” another said.

Kamolwan Chanago playfully teased the viral moment on the final day

Image credits:jasminefulldev

The incident sparked discussions about the contestant using fake teeth, with one critic claiming nothing “fake” should make its way onstage at a beauty pageant.

“Why is there even beauty pageants nowadays where its all just plastic surgeries,” one claimed. “Maybedo a plastic surgeon pageantwhere doctors from around the world send their best works to compete. Even fake teeth!!!”