Pets/Wildlife

Lucky is a Shetland Sheepdog that will be 15 years old next month and has been with his family just as long. Kymber Kincaid-Felske, of Brandon, has raised Lucky from a 6-week-old puppy and he has been her best friend and security guard ever since. Even though Lucky’s vision and hearing are failing, he still likes to play with toys and bark when company is near. Lucky loves his grandparents, too, who live in Zephyrhills.

Theresa Sierra snapped this photo of a male painted bunting at her home in Land O’ Lakes. Sierra said the bird is a yearly visitor, and prior to migrating further south, he and the female bunting produce about two clutches (total eggs a bird lays each nesting attempt). Painted buntings enjoy small wild birdseed and millet, too. As an animal spirit, the painted bunting represents knowledge and intelligence, and a reminder to add color and vitality to your life.

Zippy helped his ‘cousin,’ the Easter Bunny, deliver baskets, and now that the job is done, he relaxes at home with Julie Brucker and family in Land O’ Lakes.

Jessica Eile Keith, of Darby, snapped this photo of two Southern black racers in a hoya plant. Both racers and rat snakes are beneficial to humans, as they eat large amounts of mice, rats and other rodents. The snakes are non-venomous and will only bite if they feel threatened. Black racers are helpful to have in a field, farm or backyard.

Fred and Jolene are Bengals, and bring smiles to their owners’ faces and laughter to the family every day. Both felines love to play fetch and love to chase milk rings around the house. Fred and Jolene live with their proud owners, Alan and Kris Fischer, in Lutz.

Cathy Vitone spied this honeybee at her Ligustrum shrubbery in her front yard in Land O’ Lakes. Honeybees are important pollinators for flowers, fruits, and vegetables. There are three types of honeybees: Workers forage for food (pollen and nectar from flowers); the Queen regulates the hive’s activities by producing a chemical to guide the behavior of other bees; and Drones live in the hive during the spring and summer. All honeybees are social and cooperative insects. 

Musette and Jacques are Bichon Frises are sweet and loving, enjoy walks, and food and treats. Both dogs are happy that they moved from Minnesota to Florida three years ago. Musette and Jacques live with Janet Luick in Land O’ Lakes.

Bonnie Caston, of Zephyrhills, sent in this photo of American Kestrels in her backyard. She said the pair has been mating and she is excited to see the babies in the near future. According to the Audubon Society, these kestrels inhabit any kind of open or semi-open space, from forest clearings to farmland to desert, wherever they can find adequate prey and some raised perches. During the breeding season, they may be limited to habitats that also provide appropriate nesting sites.

Cooper and Charlotte enjoy long walks, chasing balls and playing with each other. They are great company for each other and they love cuddling with their human ‘golden’ mama. Cooper and Charlotte live with Dar Keppel in Land O’ Lakes.

Sue Dow snapped this group of pelicans at Zephyr Park. Unlike the brown pelican, which is found year-round in Florida, and non-breeding white pelican juveniles, healthy adult white pelicans are winter visitors to the state. And did you know that a group of these birds can be known collectively as a brief, a pod, a pouch, a scoop and a squadron?