INTERNATIONAL: “Man's best friend" is a common phrase used to describe domestic dogs, referring to their millennia -long history of close relations, loyalty, friendship, and companionship with humans. And once more, an event has proven that it is possible to have humans and pets interacting on the beach.

Dogs enjoy swimming, as much as, humans do! Swimming is a great way for dogs to cool off on hot days, get in some great exercise and have a little bit of fun all that same time. And the time to get all four furs get wet and wild.

Dog surfers and their human pals have joined the fun when dogs have reigned over the waves in the Brazilian coastal city of Natal on Saturday during the Surf Dog Festival. Pup on boards are kings and queens of the waves in Brazil’s Surf Dog festival. Fur pets dazzle on surfboards and wow the crowds in Brazil competition. The four furs surfed next to their owners on paddle boards, while beginners were provided with life vests to ensure safety in the water.

First place winners were Parafina and her owner Augusto Cesar. The pair had previously won silver and bronze medals at the Surf Dog World Championships. Winners are chosen based on how well they ride the waves and stay on their boards. The dogs surf in 10-minute heats judged by a panel of surf pros and aficionados.Contestants will be judged on the length of their ride, wave technique, enthusiasm and confidence on the board.

Dog surfing is a fun and entertaining sport in which dogs are properly trained so that they can surf on various surfing boards, bodyboards, skimming boards or by simply doing body surf. Dogs surf either individually or with their trainees on surfing boards or bodyboards.

Event coordinator Jacqueline Cordeiro said the festival has "proven that it is possible to have humans and pets interacting on the beach." Dog surfing has been documented as occurring in the 1920s in California and Hawaii. In the 1930s, a silent film titled On the Waves in Waikiki depicts Phillip K. Auna and Night Hawk, his terrier, surfing together on a wooden surfboard in Hawaii.

^{PHOTO: DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS COMPETING IN SURF DOG FESTIVAL, SOUNDBITES FROM PARTICIPANT, SOUNDBITE FROM EVENT ORGANIZER}