Pets/Wildlife

Chance Hackenjos is a 60-pound, 8-year-old American pit bull terrier mix. Chance (formerly known as Maverick) lost his leg when he was used as a bait dog for fighting. He was adopted shortly afterward and has thrived on the attention his family gives him on a daily basis. Chance has three siblings — Penny, Sophie and Parker — and enjoys riding in his chariot, as his siblings walk the neighborhood. He is a super-sweet boy and very jealous if his siblings get attention and he doesn’t. He is very attached to his daddy. Chance lives in Wesley Chapel with his parents, Steve and Michelle Hackenjos.

Laurie Charneske spotted these two sandhill cranes in her front yard, in Land O’ Lakes. Sandhill cranes are fairly social birds that usually live in pairs or family groups throughout the year. During migration and winter, unrelated cranes come together to form ‘survival groups’ that forage and roost together.

Zoey is an 11-year-old mixed breed that resembles a dingo. She loves going on walks with her owners, and jumping across their laps to get hugs and kisses. When Pat Lohn and her husband come home, Zoey greets them at the door with a big smile and lots of doggie kisses. The Lohns, of Wesley Chapel, said Zoey is the best dog they’ve ever owned and hope that she will be with them for many more years.

Linda Hannah spotted this doe nursing her newborn twins under the shade of a tree, at The Groves in Land O’ Lakes.

One-year-old Pixie and 15-year-old Raven are the best of friends. Their owners, Cindy and Todd Thornton, have a history of fostering dogs. This puppy, though, was a ‘foster fail’ and Pixie now is part of the family. They weren’t sure how Raven would react to a 4-month-old puppy, but true to her nature (she is a certified therapy dog), she was accepting of the spunky pup. Pixie brought a new liveliness to Raven, who was starting to slow down in her old age. They love playing together and couldn’t be closer! Pixie and Raven live in Lutz with their proud parents.

This reflective photo of a roseate spoonbill was captured at a Zephyrhills park by Lynn Spradlin. Spradlin said: ‘I wish I’d had my good camera instead of my cellphone,’ but the composition came out quite nicely!

Diesel is a big hunter when he is outside on the patio. He likes to carry his toys up on the bed to show his love for his play things. Diesel lives with his family — Rick, Michelle and Wyatt Deaton in Wesley Chapel.

Kevin Perridge, of Land O’ Lakes, snapped this photo of a male and female Eastern bluebird. These bluebirds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries. Bluebirds typically sit in the open on power lines or along fences, with an alert, vertical posture, according to AllAboutBirds.org. When these birds drop to the ground for an insect, they make a show of it, with fluttering wings and a fairly slow approach, followed by a quick return to the perch.

S’mores is 3 years old. He came home from Pasco County Animal Services when he was a puppy. He is a mixed breed who loves to play ball, go on walks, and get belly rubs. When he meets new people, his tail-wagging makes his whole body wiggle! S’mores enjoys living with the Fox family in Land O’ Lakes.

Betsy Crisp, of Land O’ Lakes, was delighted to see this male, red-bellied woodpecker (caught in the security camera) in her large oak tree, in her backyard.