Astros and pets pose for calendar to raise money for the Houston Humane Society

It was hard to decide which was cuter: Houston Astros pitcher Wesley Wright's getting instructions on how to cradle the whimpering puppy or the sweet-faced pup that almost fit into his hand.

For comic relief, J.R. Towles' dog used the grass, which everyone had been warned to stay off, for another kind of relief.

And for some extra drama, 6-year-old Alisia Cruz fell in love with the yellow kitten her dad posed with for the third annual Astros players and pet calendar.

Twenty players signed up for the Monday calendar shoot organized by pitcher Dave Borkowski and his wife, Jill, at Minute Maid Park to raise awareness of homeless animals and the need for spaying and neutering. They also hope to raise about $100,000 for the Houston Humane Society.

The 2009 calendar will go on sale in the fall.

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