“Annie” is the rags-to-riches story of a little orphan girl who is eventually adopted by a wealthy man which teaches her (and him) the true meaning of family. The musical’s latest incarnation hits the big screen this Friday (December 19th) and stars Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz among others. One of those others is truly a version of the “Hard-Knock life” that Annie faces in the story. That real-life orphan is a little dog named Marti playing Annie’s faithful sidekick, Sandy.

Marti was rescued by trainer, Bill Berlone from a New York shelter. The six-year-old Golden- Chow mix is currently earning her bones on Broadway.

You can read more about her and what led to Hollywood here.