Pets/Wildlife

A roseate spoonbill and a white ibis stopped by in the early morning hours in Bonnie Caston’s backyard in Zephyrhills. It appears the pair may have been discussing plans for the day! 

Baby Girl is a cocker-poodle and perfectly sized at 12 pounds. She has warmed the hearts of all her neighbors and has ‘socialized’ dogs that originally didn’t want to mingle.
She comes out of the house on her leash and looks right and then left — her mission is to head for someone to pet her or ‘sniff her.’ Baby Girl has brought joy and love to her two moms, Mary and Helen Lewandowski.

Barbara Craig often hikes at the Cypress Creek Preserve in Land O’ Lakes and snapped this photo of a red-shouldered hawk off the 4-mile trail. The bird of prey sat for about 15 minutes on a branch over a creek that flows through the park, giving Craig the chance to get a good photo.

Grady is a 3-year-old ‘teddy bear,’ full-bred registered red male shih tzu, born in Bradenton. Grady was named after the famous sheriff from Polk County, Grady Judd. It was love at first sight when Grady’s mom adopted him and brought him home. Grady is beautiful, brave and makes everyone smile. He likes humans and loves to make people happy. Grady is very soft and loves hugs, so humans love to hold him. He lives with his mom, Terry Warner, and family in Wesley Chapel.

This house finch was perched on a palm tree near the front door of Steve Vinik’s home in Lexington Oaks, Wesley Chapel. The bird was hanging out with a few other red-feathered friends, too. Vinik said it’s wonderful when you can sit inside your air-conditioned home and capture an image like this on the other side of your window.

Teddy is a 17-year-old miniature poodle. He is adorable and likes wearing shirts, scarves and bow ties. Teddy loves to go to the groomers and get pampered, too. He is a picky eater and will only eat Publix chicken. He loves to snuggle in bed and is a great watch dog with a loud powerful bark. Teddy was adopted from his owner’s mother when she passed away. He lives in Land O’ Lakes with Steve and Lisa Carmack.

Janet Capati-Juco said this beautiful hawk is a daily visitor at the dog park in Oak Creek in Wesley Chapel. This bird of prey can be found at the park twice a day!

Sadie is an 8-month-old mini goldendoodle. She is so smart her owner decided to train her to be a service dog for herself. In the first six months of training, Sadie has learned how to “get it, bring it and give it,” and will learn how to help with medication reminders, too. Sadie gets spoiled at home by her mommy, daddy and two human brothers. She also has a parrot brother, Loki, a fun playmate. Sadie lives in Wesley Chapel with Lauren Harkness, who has always owned parakeets and parrots, but said getting Sadie was one of the best things she has ever done in her life.

Cindy Korman said two owlets have grown up in her Zephyrhills community. Little owls are year-round residents of their habitats and may live as long as 16 years. Owlets eat insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles.

Sir Winston is a loving, smart and sassy Pembroke Welsh Corgi who goes to college — he attends Florida Southern College as an emotional support animal for Madison Meisenbach. While Sir Winston had a bad case of the puppy bites and didn’t like school, he has now learned to love college life. He enjoys walking around the lake, meeting new people, and doing tricks for kibbles. Sir Winston and Meisenbach both will graduate this December. Who knows where their journey will take them, but in Winston’s mind, it will be a place with lots of people, more kibbles and a big backyard! Sir Winston lives in Lutz.