FOLLOWING the success of its 2024 naked calendar, a popular Knutsford gin bar has announced its latest charity project for 2025.
On Saturday, November 23, Dexter & Jones launched its 2025 canine calendar to help rescue dogs stuck in kill shelters.
Run by husband and wife team Adam and Katy Rickitt, Dexter & Jones raised more than £4,000 for The Christie Charity with the 2024 calendar.
And for next year, the couple have produced a new 'Double D' calendar full of the four-legged friends who have frequented the Princess Street craft beer and wine shop.
"Calm down, it's not what you think!" says owner Katy. "This is actually the Dogs of Dexters Calendar!
"Everyone expected us to do a women's one next so we had a little play with the title, and that one is very much in the planning for next year.
"But we thought we'd have a little break from the... err... bits and pieces, and give the masses what they want this year!"
The dog-friendly bar, which even created a Dexters 'Dog Wall' of framed pictures featuring its pooch patrons, was inundated with modelling offers when they advertised for the calendar.
And, although it has been a fun project for those taking part, as with the previous calendar, there is also a very serious message and cause behind it, helping rescue dogs in dire need.
Adam, who featured on the cover of last year's calendar posing nude with a strategically-placed beer keg, said: "The calendar also features our own two bulldog reprobates on the front.
"But there's also a hidden homage to our beloved Rufus, who left us this year at the grand old age of 19.
"I actually rescued Rufus and his five sisters at the age of three weeks, when I lived in New Zealand from a farmer who wanted to drown them.
"Sure enough he became everything! My best friend, my saviour, my wingman when I first met Katy, and the beginning of our family.
"I will miss him every day, but it also taught me the importance of rescuing dogs.
"We knew we wanted to do a dog calendar next, but with so many amazing animal charities out there we didn't know which one, then we met Teddy."
Teddy was a Romanian rescue dog, taken in by a small charity called Save a Kill Shelter Dog, which rescues dogs in need, helps to rehome them, and provides support to their new owners.
Sadly, Teddy died from liver cancer a few weeks ago, but he will feature in the 2025 calendar.
"Teddy was our 'Mr January' before he was diagnosed," added Katy. "His photo is sadly one of the last things he did.
"But what's remarkable is the life he had versus the life he could have had.
"Volunteers from the charity are often using their own money to rescue and house these gorgeous dogs so that they can get them over and find new families.
"Margaret [Teddy's new owner] only got a year with him, but what a year that was for him, he had the best life.
"When he first came in he used to just stand like a statue, then he'd look forward to seeing everyone in town and Adam feeding him his daily pack of ham."
As with the 2024 calendar, the photos have been taken by Steve Felmingham of Cheshire Pet Pix at Altabani Studios in Knutsford, and printed by Design Print Create, who waived any profits in order to give the maximum to the charity.
The calendars are available now in store or online at dexterandjones.co.uk by searching 'calendar'. All profits go to Save A Kill Shelter Dog.
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