Burly and bearded alongside cute and cuddly might seem like unlikely teammates, but rescue groups that help Calgary cats hope it turns out to be a winning combination.
Local photographer Marissa Poirier is posing big men with beards holding tiny kittens for a calendar called “Misters for Whiskers.”
“Big burly dudes with big beards and little kittens,” Poirier said with a laugh. “And we have them doing some pretty ridiculous things.”
Shaun Arntsen was in front of Poirier’s camera Wednesday, dressed as a cowboy, posing with eight-week-old kittens Blueberry and Apricot.
Joking that he’s far from a real cowboy – “I’m allergic to horses” – Arntsen said he’s more than happy to lend his beard to the cause.
“Look at these guys,” he said. “I mean, get them a home. They need a good place to go and I’m all about helping out little lives.”
The 2018 “Misters for Whiskers” calendar is expected to be available in November 2017, and can be ordered here.