Lawrence's workout guru Don Gardner to be featured on cover of Red Shoe calendar

Red Dog dons stilettos in support of the Willow Domestic Violence Center by Nick Krug

There were whistles, claps and “whoo-hoos” as longtime Lawrence workout guru Don Gardner, aka Red Dog, put on a pair of red stilettos Tuesday evening and wobbled onto the field at Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium.

He wore them during the Dog Days community workout, which was attended by about 200 people.

He was a true sport and had fun with it, showing off his legs and twirling a pair of black hose that he said he stole from his wife, Beverly.

“I don’t know how you ladies do it,” he said with a big grin. “That’s more work than running stairs. I don’t know how those pop singers dance and sing and stay on their feet.”

He was wearing the heels for a photo shoot for the 2012 Red Shoe calendar that benefits The Willow Domestic Violence Center. It’s only the second year for the calendar.

The calendar raises awareness about domestic violence and money for the Willow center, which provides safe shelter, peer counseling and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence.

Don "Red Dog" Gardner walks awkwardly in red heels with his wife, Beverly, for a portrait during a Dog Days workout on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 at Memorial Stadium. The photo will be featured in the 2012 Red Shoe calendar, which features some recognizable male figures in Lawrence, wearing red heels and also benefits the Willow Domestic Violence Center. by Nick Krug

Also, wearing red high heels were his wife and longtime Dog Days participants Ellen Young and Ryan Wedel, both of Lawrence. They posed for photos on the field while residents continued to do exercises. Then, they posed in the stadium seats as residents ran up and down the stairs.

Cathie Rodkey, Willow center board member and the person who came up with the calendar concept, announced that the community workout would be featured on the cover of the calendar.

“What a surprise,” Gardner said. “Now, I’m really going to get a hard time.”

The calendars are scheduled to out by mid-November just in time for Christmas.

Don "Red Dog" Gardner and his wife, Beverly, left, sit for a portrait in red heels with longtime Dog Days participants Ellen Young and Ryan Wedel, both of Lawrence, during a Dog Days workout on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, at Memorial Stadium. The photo, shot by Earl Richardson, will be featured in the 2012 Red Shoe calendar, which features some prominent male figures in Lawrence wearing red heels and benefits the Willow Domestic Violence Center. by Nick Krug

Tagged: Red Dog's Dog Days, workout, The Willow Domestic Violence Center