Pets/Wildlife

Debbie Wright watched as this young gator swam away with her ball on the 18th hole at The Groves Golf and Country Club in Land O’ Lakes. Wright said she wasn’t fast enough to retrieve her ball from the water!

Five-year-old rescues Azalea (Husky mix) and Peppa (Schnorky) have had hard lives but are now finding friendship with each other and their proud owner, Julie Bluver.

Laurie Kimball, of Land O’ Lakes, said each year a pair of barred owls returns to a box in her backyard to have their young. This year, the pair was blessed with two owlets. Kimball said it is a pleasure to watch the parents raise their young, as recently, the owlets fledged (become capable of flight) after five weeks of age. Their parents will continue to watch over them for the next four months. 

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.