By Tim Blakenship
Once again, Mike Ruiz is combining his love for human and animal beauty with a calendar that’s as
compassionate as it is captivating. Mutts and Muscles features an array of top fitness icons alongside 14
irresistibly adorable rescue dogs, presenting images that are both heartwarming and inspiring. Gracing
the cover of this year’s calendar is fitness legend Sergi Constance, known for his chiseled physique, social media influence, and his role as Zeus in Zack Snyder's Justice League films. Ruiz’s vision extends beyond the art of photography. Mutts and Muscles is a philanthropic project that supports animal rescues. With a staggering number of dogs being abandoned in 2024, the need has never been more urgent. This year’s proceeds benefit Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue, a renowned organization dedicated to saving and rehoming pets. Mike Ruiz explains more from his home in NYC.
Tim Blenkenship:What message are you hoping to amplify through
this year’s calendar?
Mike Ruiz: I wish people would fully comprehend that for every dog that a breeder brings into the world, one dog dies in a shelter. If people stopped supporting indiscriminate breeding and saved a life in need instead, the endless suffering would end. I urge anyone considering buying a dog from a breeder or pet store to take a stroll through a shelter on euthanasia day.
TB: Why did you choose Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue as this year’s beneficiary?
M.R: Louie's Legacy was the very first rescue that the calendar benefitted back in 2014. Having
spread the love to other rescues over the years, I've come back to Louie's Legacy because of their integrity, their compassion and their transparency as a 501c3. Louie's Legacy has a Platinum rating (the
highest rating) on Guidestar, a platform that rates charities based on financial transparency and a myriad of other criteria that demonstrate integrity.
T.B: What’s the creative process behind pairing fitness icons with rescue animals for each shot?
M.R: It really all boils down to who the dogs gravitate to. My main concern is always the welfare of the
dogs. They have all been through so much stress and uncertainty, the last thing that I'd ever want to do is cause any additional stress on them.
T.B:How did you select Sergi Constance as the cover model?
M.R: Sergi is a legend in the fitness world and has millions of social media followers. Also, he happens to a wildly compassionate man. After our shoot, he insisted that we visit a local shelter to photograph dogs in need so that we could network them and get them adopted. He is exactly the type of person that I seek out to participate in this project.
T.B:In today’s digital age, do people still buy calendars?
M.R: The calendar is always well received and this year is no exception. They are selling like hot
cakes! The calendar is a heartwarming message wrapped in a beautiful package.
T.B: Mutts and Muscles is the perfect holiday gift!
M.R: Not only is the calendar an explosion of eye candy and an
overload of cuteness but it actually saves lives. It's a wonderful way to give a gift
that keeps on giving for 14 months and it will make you feel like you're making a difference. I can't
think of a better gift to give to others… and to yourself!
Mike Ruiz’s
MUTTS AND
MUSCLES 2025 is
$29.99 at http://
calendar
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