Naked Calendars Go to the Dogs

Animal lovers bare all in calendar
9/19/2004 6:55 PM
By: Jaime Fettrow, News 14 Carolina

The Calendar Girls say they had no problem getting naked and having a little fun, but the animals were not always as comfortable.

GASTONIA, N.C. – Women are baring it all in Gaston County for the sake of animals. Several organizations have joined forces to raise money for a spay-and-neuter program. But it is their idea of how to raise money that has raised some eyebrows.
The Calendar Girls are a group of women willing to pose nude with their pets. The 18-month calendar they appear in is called "Pearls and Paws – Bare because we Care."

"Most people die laughing and say, `oh my gosh, I know someone who would love to have this calendar,'" said Ann Isenhour of the Animal League of Gaston County.

The women, along with their canines and felines, are all from Gaston County and volunteered to participate in the three-day shoot.

"My husband thought it was great because we definitely have a pet population problem and (we should do) anything we can do," said Calendar Girl Christy Ewing. "Everyone's been supportive."

More than 44,000 animals have been put to death in the past four years in Gaston County alone.

"We're hoping to get that number down and offer a spay-and-neuter program," said organizer Vikki Husband. "That's our goal; to stop the killing and take care of the animals."

The Calendar Girls say they had no problem getting naked and having a little fun, but the animals were not always as comfortable.

"The challenge was Teddy, our dog does not like the flash," said Nancy Gadd. "He's sensitive to fireworks so when we started doing the photography, it was a challenge but a great day."

"The cover was 12 women unclad in my front yard all holding dogs," said Donna Schramek. "You can imagine how it was to deal with 20 dogs sniffing, moving and escaping."

The women say the idea is tasteful – the animals cover all of the essential parts – so the calendar can still make the perfect holiday gift.

"We get naked everyday, we really do," Isenhour said. "What's the difference?"

The difference is that their nudity is raising money. The calendars can be purchased for $25 and is a tax-deductible contribution.