Today, surfers at Palm Beach paddled out to sea in memory of the Olympian. Vlug, Pullin's dad Chris and Aussie surf icons Mick Fanning and Steph Gimore were among the mourners.
Similar tributes have taken place at other beaches.
Aussie commentators pointed out the emotion-charged image of Pullin's dog perfectly captured the tragedy of Rummi never being able to give Pullin a cuddle again.
Channel 9 Queensland reporter Rob Morrison posted on Twitter the image had left him emotional.
"This got me," he wrote.
"Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin's dog Rummi waiting at his flower memorial. Photo taken by Chumpy's girlfriend Ellidy. My thoughts are with the whole family. Hug those you love."
Other Twitter users responded to the tweet to discuss "how sad" the image truly is.
The heartbreaking Instagram story comes after further details emerge about how Ellidy discovered the death of her boyfriend of eight years.
The shattering chain of events began when a neighbour noticed a message posted to the Palm Beach-Currumbin-Elanora Residents and Community Group Facebook page at 10.51am.
"5 ambulances beachside north of 19th, anyone know what's up?" the message read.
The replies came quickly as the community sprung into action. "Hi everyone. A man in his 30s was just found out at the reef on Palm beach unconscious and not breathing. He has been rushed to hospital. If you know of a friend or family member who might have been diving out there this morning, maybe check in with them to make sure they are safe and OK," one wrote.
Vlug rushed to the beach where she found paramedics unsuccessfully attempting to save the life of the 32-year-old.
On Thursday she left a note pinned to the front door of their home.
"Dear media," she wrote. "Thank you for your thoughts this is a very difficult time for me and I ask that you respect my privacy during this period of grief.
"Know that Chumpy absolutely loved life and lived life to the full.
"He lived for us – his family, our puppy Rummi, our amazing friends and the home we made together.
"He was living his dream, our dream.
"I am eternally grateful that I have lived my life with him and I am deeply saddened that his life has been cut short.
"Rest in peace my beautiful man. Kind regards, Ellidy."
According to reports, the local surf communities on the Gold Coast and in Pullin's former neighbourhood on Sydney's northern beaches, will on Saturday morning gather to honour him with a paddle-out demonstration.
The Daily Telegraph's David Riccio first reported on Twitter, Pullin will be honoured with organised meetings at 19th Avenue Palm Beach and at North Narrabeen in Sydney.
