Lambertville’s dog calendar is celebrating its 10th anniversary — once again celebrating a diverse mix of local pups and the dog-friendly community they call home.
Nearly six dozen pups posed for the 2015 calendar — boasting a variety of pedigrees, breeds, backgrounds and life stories — from malnutritioned rescues that survived despite challenging odds to champion show dogs.
Petey, a pit bull found in Philadelphia weighing only 27 pounds, was nursed back to health by Animal Alliance. He now tips the scales at 60 pounds. These days, swimming off Lambertville’s "wing dam" is one of his favorite pastimes.
Mr. Carson, a 3-year-old Swiss Mountain Dog/Hound was rescued by Second Chance Rescue. Named after Downton Abbey’s butler, Mr. Carson loves peanut butter and helping his family clean off the dinner dishes.
Jezibell, a 4-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff, came to his current owners from a less-than-desirable breeder. She was losing patches of fur, had multiple parasites and Cherry eye. She was a costly rescue, but her loyal, loving nature was well worth it.
Back in 2004, the calendar’s creator, Adrien Gerson, was inspired to begin her labor of love while walking her own dogs around town and meeting many like-minded dog-loving Lambertvillians. Ten years and hundreds of dogs later, the calendar has become a beloved community institution.
"I think it’s awesome," said Karen "Montana" Walsh, who as a former barista at Rojo’s helped sell calendars while pulling shots of espresso. She noted that humans get to talking to each other after recognizing their dogs from the calendar. "It unites people."
While the four-legged models are adorable and many of their stories are entertaining and whimsical, the calendar has a serious mission: In addition to donating profits to local animal charities, the calendar publicizes the work of many rescue organizations that are cited in the tales of survival and happy endings.
Lambertville’s Spice’s Fund, one of the organizations that receives a yearly donation, helps community pet owners who cannot afford veterinary treatment. "Without financial assistance, these pet parents would face the heartbreaking choice of euthanizing their cherished pets or surrendering them to already overcrowded shelters," said Darlene Yuhas, Spice’s Fund founder and president, who also lends a hand on production of the calendar.
Animal Alliance, the Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter and Make Peace also receive a yearly donation.
These ready-made, easy-to-find holiday gifts are available for $10 at the following Lambertville establishments: Rojo’s, Sojourner, Tirpok Cleaners, Blue Raccoon, Lambertville Animal Hospital, Homestead Farm Market, City Market, Tesoro, and River Queen Artisans Gallery.
In New Hope, you can find the calendars at New Hope Pet Center. They can also be purchased online using the order form at www.lambertvilledogs.com for $10 plus shipping and handling.
