Islanders Rescue Dog Photo Shoot

View Gallery

Thomas Greiss' dog Wofie follows him everywhere.
If he's biking, the German Shepard-Wolf mix is running alongside. If he's doing a core workout in his basement, Wofie is trying to lick his face. So when the New York Islanders teamed up with the North Shore Animal League of America for a holiday calendar dog shoot, you bet Wofie was going to be there.
"He's just a little energy ball, he was pretty good today for the shoot, but he's usually go-go-go and loves to run and lots of energy and very loving," Greiss said. "He follows me everywhere."
The photo shoot and subsequent calendar - which will be available around the holiday season - is part of an effort to raise money and awareness for North Shore Animal League, a no-kill animal rescue, which is based out of Port Washington. The shelter is also hoping that the increased awareness will help these dogs find a home.

It's a cause that's close to Thomas and Brittney Greiss' hearts, as they own two rescue dogs, including Wofie whom they adopted from North Shore.
"It's a great cause," Greiss said. "I'd rather get a dog from a shelter than a breeder. It's good to help out and this is an easy way to do it."
Even if it weren't for a good cause, it's a chance to play with some puppies for an afternoon and the Islanders are definitely dog people.
"A good part of my day is coming home to see my dog," Travis Hamonic said of his white, Yellow Lab Bauer. "Good day, bad day, indifferent, he's always at the door waiting for me no matter what. Dogs never really judge you, so I just love the fact that he's there always wagging his tail and happy to see me."

Like Wofie, Bauer has a ton of energy. The best thing they do together? Get out in the boat and go fishing.
With two dogs at home, Casey Cizikas knows the best way to take care of a still-small-enough-to-fit-in-your-arm puppy, so when he saw his calendar dog shivering on the ice, he wrapped it up inside his cardigan to keep it warm.

At home, Cizikas has a Golden Doodle named Bentley and an Old English Sheep Dog named Phoebe, with whom he has a special bond. Cizikas saw the five-month old puppy laying by itself in a pet store and sensed a connection. It turns out they shared the same birthday and that was all he needed to know. Like Hamonic, seeing the pooches is one of the best parts of his day.
"They're jumping up and down, they're licking you they are just excited to see you when you get home. That's pretty much the best part," Cizikas said.
Click here to learn more about the North Shore Animal League
and stay tuned for the Islanders holiday dog calendar.