The year 2025 marks the 11th anniversary of Mike’s calendar which has benefitted several animal rescues throughout the years. This year the calendar benefits a remarkable organization called Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue. This year’s calendar features some legends of the world of fitness and 14 of the most adorable rescues you’ve ever laid eyes on. This year’s cover model is none other than fitness superstar, Sergi Constance. Sergi’s otherworldly physique and massive social media presence has landed him the role of Zeus in Zack Snyder’s “Justice League” films and countless endorsements.
As always, Mike’s vision is captivating and provocative, but his message is timeless… To educate and encourage the public to adopt as opposed to buy from a breeder or pet store. 2024 saw record numbers of dogs being dumped in shelters like discarded trash. The calendar is an effort to make people understand that for every dog they buy from a breeder or pet store, they are letting one languish and suffer in a shelter.
Mike Ruiz is a celebrity photographer whose clients include Jared Leto, Anne Hathaway, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Billy Porter, Aubrey Plaza, Queen Latifah, Neil Patrick Harris, Justin Theroux, Jim Parsons and literally thousands of others. In addition to his work in Hollywood, Ruiz is known for shooting top male fitness models. “I admire men who have sculpted their bodies into works of art,” he says. “It takes incredible skill and knowledge to form human tissue to near perfection. Photographing their work is quite gratifying to me.”
Each year, Louie’s Legacy, one of the largest foster-based rescues in the nation, saves as many animals as it can, as efficiently as possible. This is made possible by hundreds of volunteer foster homes which care for the rescued animals until they are adopted. Emily Gear, President and Founder of Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue says, “We are so grateful and honored to be chosen again this year to benefit from Mike’s incredible work. His calendars are a fun and flashy way to bring attention to the sometimes dirty and grueling (but also rewarding) work we do behind the scenes each day. Eleven years ago, when we did this calendar for the first time, we raised some $80,000 which went straight back into saving more lives.” In the subsequent years, thanks in part to this project, Louie’s Legacy was able to add thousands of animals to its program, and has currently saved over 25,000 animals since its founding in 2009. “Carrying out our mission costs around a million dollars per year, give or take, so your purchase will literally go to save a life. You can’t do better than that,” Gear says.
Mike Ruiz, is also an animal rescuer. In fact, it was his beloved Oliver, a black Pit Bull type dog, that won his heart and the hearts of thousands on social media. The profound connection that Mike shared with his sweet son was the catalyst for Mike’s animal advocacy which led to the creation of the annual calendar.
100% of the sales of the calendar go directly to Louie’s Legacy for various services benefitting the health and welfare of the dogs. “The calendar makes the perfect holiday gift and also brings awareness to these special animals,” says Mike Ruiz. “Every discarded, neglected and abused dog deserves to be free of suffering.”
Mike Ruiz’s MUTTS AND MUSCLES 2025 calendar goes for $29.99 and is available at http://louieslegacy.org/calendar
