2027 marks the 13th anniversary of Mike’s calendar, which has benefited 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 fitness legends and some of the most adorable rescues you’ve ever laid eyes on. As always, Mike’s vision is captivating and provocative, but his message is timeless… To educate and encourage the general public to adopt rather than buy from a breeder or pet store. 2026 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. The lush floral elements in Pups, Pecs & Petals are more than decoration. They were conceived and created by Meghan Kramer of MADE OF LEAVES as a way to soften and reframe the way we see shelter and rescue dogs. By surrounding these dogs with flowers—symbols of beauty, tenderness, vulnerability, and life—the imagery deliberately challenges the stereotypes associated with rescue dogs. The unexpected juxtaposition invites us to look beyond breed, circumstance, and appearance and see the individual soul: gentle, expressive, beautiful, and worthy of love. Ultimately, the flowers aren’t there simply to make the photographs beautiful. They’re there to change the conversation. If beauty can make someone stop and look a little longer, perhaps that moment is enough to replace fear with curiosity, curiosity with compassion—and compassion with adoption.

Mike Ruiz is a celebrity photographer whose clients include Anne Hathaway, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Colman Domingo, Dolly Parton, Alan Ritchson, Aubrey Plaza, Queen Latifah, 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, flashy way to bring attention to the sometimes dirty and grueling (but also rewarding) work we do behind the scenes each day. Ten 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 years since, thanks in part to this project, Louie's Legacy has added thousands of animals to its program and has 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 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 Mike shared with his sweet son catalyzed his animal advocacy and led to the creation of the annual calendar. 100% of calendar sales go directly to Louie’s Legacy to support services that benefit the health and welfare of 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 PUPS, PECS AND PETALS 2027 calendar will sell for $34.99 and is available at http://louieslegacy.org/calendar

Tearsheets by Daniel Lopez, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

Celebrity Photographer Mike Ruiz Presents THE 'PUPS, PECS, AND PETALS' 2027 Calendar