Rusty is a Miniature Pinscher from Huntington Beach, California, and a celebrated competitive surf dog. His story began when he was just four months old, when his owner, Sophia set him on a small surfboard at the beach for a fun photo. Rusty had other plans. Instead of hopping off, he refused to leave the board. Sophia gave him a push into a small wave, and Rusty rode it naturally, with no training at all. Soon after, the two entered a local dog surfing competition, where the tiny puppy finished third. He went on to win first-place finishes in the small dog and tandem categories and to compete at events like the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, California. Surfing has been more than a sport for Rusty and Sophia. It became a lifeline through some of their darkest moments, after both of them faced cancer and survived. Rusty’s strength didn’t stop there. After winning his battle, he was hit by a car, and after months of difficult rehabilitation, he made a triumphant return to the waves. Today, Rusty gives back to the community that carried him through. He has taken part in cancer survivor camps, including Surfing for Hope in Morro Bay and Pismo Beach, and in surf-a-thons that support animal rescues. His journey also inspired a children’s picture book, Rusty the Surfing Min Pin: A Little Dog’s Big-Wave Adventure, released on Amazon. It tells a story about chasing waves and believing in yourself, which Rusty has done his whole life.