Couple's pet becomes pin-up pup
To get the calendar
The "365 Days of Puppies a Year 2013 Calendar" costs $12.99 and can be ordered by visiting workman.com or writing to Workman Publishing Co., New York, NY 10014.
To enter your puppy photo for the 2014 19th Annual Puppies of Distinction Contest, get details, rules and an entry form by visiting workman.com/contests.
Photo
Melvin and Judy Mislivecek with dog Princess Annie.
Photo
Judy Mislivecek of Janesville poses with Annie, her purebred bichon frise being featured in the '365 Days of Puppies a Year 2013 Calendar.'
JANESVILLE — Annie, a purebred bichon frise from Janesville, has become a pin-up puppy now that she's featured in Workman Publishing's "365 Days of Puppies a Year 2013 Calendar."
Annie's owner, Melvin Mislivecek, said he was surprised to learn Annie's photo was published when he received a letter and complimentary copy of the calendar this summer.
Melvin's wife, Judy Mislivecek, bought Annie, formally known as Princess Annie Mislivecek, as a gift for him on Father's Day 2011.
"We answered an ad in a Madison newspaper," she said.
The svelte 10-pound, 18-month-old dog is the featured pet for July 4 in the calendar.
In the picture, shot during the summer of 2011 by Judy's cousin Bonnie Clark of Janesville, Annie is wearing a red harness that is striking against her fluffy white fur.
The photogenic Annie didn't mind posing for the photo.
"She loves to be cuddled just like a baby, loves to play in the snow and chase the rabbits," Judy said.
The Mislivecek's daughter Jan Kerl, Janesville, submitted the photo in early 2012 after an acquaintance noticed the adorable photo of Annie, told her she had a dog calendar entry form and should submit the photo.
The woman also told Kerl she was confident Annie would win a spot in the calendar on Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July or Christmas, and she did.
The Misliveceks are proud Annie was selected.
"We get thousands of submissions for our cat and dog contest calendars each year," said Susan Bolotin, Workman's editor-in-chief, in an email.
When the photos arrived as prints, Workman's offices resembled Santa's workshop filled with bags of mail, she said.
Today, most pictures are submitted as digital images. Workman's photo editor hires extra help to open the mail and deal with the volume of pictures.
"As he sorts through them, he looks for beauty, wit, variety and artful composition as well as for pictures that simply have that ‘aah' factor. He's also searching for cats and dogs, kittens and puppies who have unusual or surprising stories," Bolotin said.
Bolotin said setting the bar high makes for calendars that people love.
The Misliveceks agreed. The calendar hangs by Melvin's desk in the basement office of the couple's east side home.
"We don't want anybody to write on it," Judy said. "We're showing (it to) everybody."
Jan 10, 2013 at 12:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
If you love calendars full of cute animal photos, Rock County Humane Society publishes a calendar every year as a fundraiser. All of the photos are of local pets, and every photo that is entered is included in the calendar, so every animal wins!
There are still a few 2013 calendars available at the shelter and on their web site, and submissions for next year's calendar will open in June!
Jan 9, 2013 at 7:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Awe how cute. Congrats to Princess Annie and her Mom and Dad.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.