Cherie started the way a lot of legends do: given up, and given a second chance. Placed with the French Bulldog Rescue Network as a puppy, she found her forever home with Amy and Dan Nykolayko in Newport Beach — and it didn't take long for them to realize their squat little Frenchie couldn't get enough of the ocean. They signed her up for lessons, and Cherie did the rest. Over a decade-plus career, "the OC Surfer Girl" racked up division wins up and down the California coast, took gold in both the medium and Best in Surf categories at the World Dog Surfing Championships, and turned every heat into a fundraiser — raising more than $13,000 for rescue organizations along the way. She's ridden waves on Good Morning America and Nightline, and when she finally hung up her leash, the sport gave her one of its highest honors: a Surf Dog Emeritus Award. Cherie proved that big waves don't care how big the dog is.