My husband posed for this picture, shovel and all, in our kitchen back in spring. I had a great idea - wouldn't it be funny to have an animal well known for burrowing, like the badger, using a shovel? This is the little story I made up for him:

"With babies on their way, the old burrow would be far too small. Mr. Badger scouted far and wide until he found the perfect spot on a grassy hillock, just underneath a large tree. Digging a burrow large enough for two adults and wee ones was not an easy feat though, as Mr. Badger brushes his brow. Despite getting all covered in dirt and dust, his effort will be well worth it."

He is a North American badger. I changed his facial markings slightly as I thought the natural markings would make him too mean. I also had to adjust the proportions - my husband is sufficiently round for a badger, but too tall!