the lion pup jumped onto ray Dan Murphy 's board off San Diego coast . Then ' hugged ' him from behind , before settling into his lap ' like a shark ' For next hour , pair floated on board and rode waves at Cardiff - by - the - Sea . Finally , ray Murphy had to nudge pup away because he was going home . ' I was literally in tears ... I waved to him , ' said Mr Murphy , a turn - of - one . Comes as rising waves of famished pups wash up on California shore . Mr Murphy believes his new friend may have been treated and treated .
Sea lion pup jumped onto surfer Dan Murphy 's board off San Diego coast . Then 'hugged ' him from behind , before crawling into his lap 'like a puppy ' For next hour , pair floated on board and rode waves at Cardiff-by-the-Sea . Finally , Mr Murphy had to nudge pup away because he was going home . ' I was literally in tears ... I waved to him , ' said Mr Murphy , a father-of-one . Comes as rising numbers of famished pups wash up on California shore . Mr Murphy believes his new friend may have been treated and released .