I Created A Dog-Themed Calendar, And The Proceeds Will Help Rescue Canines In Need (13 Pics)

The goal of both the calendar contest and the calendar itself is to support a local rescue with essential funding to pull and support homeless dogs in need, specifically high-risk dogs, such as bully breeds, momma dogs, and dogs with medical or behavioral issues.

The contest, hosted for Charley’s K9 Rescue this year, raised more than $21K back in March and now, with the calendar live, calendar proceeds will benefit them, too.

From the sale of each calendar, $14 will be donated directly to Charley’s K9 Rescue to help them rescue more dogs. Calendar sales run through December 31st, 2024. To learn more about Charley’s K9 Rescue, visit theirwebsiteand learn more about Five Freedoms Photography and their work here.

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Miss February, Genesis

I’m Joanne Wetzel and I love hosting this fundraiser. It not only allows me to create stunning imagery for the winner’s pups, who get to be in the calendar, but it continues to raise money for Charley’s K9 Rescue for months to come and supports them in their mission to rescue high-risk bully breeds from rural shelters across our state!Charley’s K9 is doing incredible work for our often misunderstood bully breeds. Having volunteered with hundreds of bully breed type dogs at my local shelter for almost seven years, I’ve come to understand that they are some of the most loving, energetic, resilient, and silliest dogs.I chose Charley’s K9 Rescue as our calendar contest recipient this year because they are one of the only rescues across North Carolina that focuses specifically on pulling these types of dogs. Unfortunately, due to villainization and misunderstanding of the breed, breed-restriction legislation and housing, along with many, many other factors, such as adoptions being at an all-time low nationally, Charley’s is putting a focus on pulling and rehabbing these type of dogs whose lives also matter.

Charley’s K9 is doing incredible work for our often misunderstood bully breeds. Having volunteered with hundreds of bully breed type dogs at my local shelter for almost seven years, I’ve come to understand that they are some of the most loving, energetic, resilient, and silliest dogs.

I chose Charley’s K9 Rescue as our calendar contest recipient this year because they are one of the only rescues across North Carolina that focuses specifically on pulling these types of dogs. Unfortunately, due to villainization and misunderstanding of the breed, breed-restriction legislation and housing, along with many, many other factors, such as adoptions being at an all-time low nationally, Charley’s is putting a focus on pulling and rehabbing these type of dogs whose lives also matter.

Cover Model, Pablo

Miss March, Hope

Bully breeds will be forever near and dear to my heart. The fact is, North Carolina has the third highest euthanasia rate in our country. Even though bully breeds generally only account for around 35-40% of our Wake County intake at the shelter, bully breeds have a longer length of stay in the shelter due to many factors (and many more) that I mentioned above.Often, these dogs come in not spayed or neutered, creating unwanted litters, and land in the shelter around one to three years of age after being adopted as a puppy. They generally come in lacking socialization or exhibit medical or behavioral issues, making it harder for them to be placed or adopted.Creating awareness to support them goes a long way in educating our community that animal overpopulation and homelessness is a community issue. We can, together, help these animals to reduce overpopulation, enrich their lives before they find a forever home, help socialize them, and in the end, save lives.

Often, these dogs come in not spayed or neutered, creating unwanted litters, and land in the shelter around one to three years of age after being adopted as a puppy. They generally come in lacking socialization or exhibit medical or behavioral issues, making it harder for them to be placed or adopted.

Creating awareness to support them goes a long way in educating our community that animal overpopulation and homelessness is a community issue. We can, together, help these animals to reduce overpopulation, enrich their lives before they find a forever home, help socialize them, and in the end, save lives.

Mr December, Disco

Miss August, Emma

One of the most memorable moments from this year’s calendar surrounds Miss July, Addy’s image. The goal was to photograph her on the lakefront, which is one of her favorite places in the world… She loves to swim, play, and splash in the water along with chasing tennis balls. It just so happened she was running towards me during a shot and a butterfly happened to fly across the scene. Addy was so distracted, she started chasing the butterfly instead. The butterfly you see in the shot is there, it’s not AI. That is one of the sweetest moments from the calendar that I will never forget. Addy also happens to be a Charley’s K9 Alum, so it is definitely a kismet image.

Miss September, Winifred

Miss October, Rue

The cover is also incredibly special to me because I actually photographed our cover model, Pablo, several years ago when he was available for adoption. Shortly thereafter, his wonderful foster mom and Charley’s K9 volunteer, Janelle, foster failed him. At the time, he had just been pulled as a stray and was fighting a severe ear infection while showcasing a body that clearly had seen neglect. Now, Pablo lives a life of plush, comfortable luxury with his canine sibling and endless supply of tennis balls and stuffed toys.

Miss January, Jordan