The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Pets/Wildlife

Dennis the menace?

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This squirrel, named ‘Dennis’ by one of the staff at The Laker/Lutz News, hung around quite a bit in front of the office in Land O’ Lakes, as well as up in the rooftop!

Have a little ‘faith’

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Faith is 1 ½ years old and a little too big to fit through the cat door, although she tries her best! She is a mixed breed that her mom, Charlene, rescued from a shelter when Faith was 6 weeks old. Faith lives with the Carl Milillo family, including four brothers; Sadie, a 12-year-old rescue sister; and Hope and Holly, sister cats, in Lutz.

A stunning portrait

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Kimberly Collins lives in Meadow Pointe and plants her yard to attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds — and what better way to capture a photo like this, of a Monarch butterfly sitting for a portrait! Collins said she is thankful for the opportunity to share her love of nature.

Bella is a sweetheart

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Bella is a 2-year-old girl that was adopted last year. At first, she was quite shy, but today she is more active and happier than ever. Bella starts her day around 4 a.m., chasing her toys around the house and making sure to not let her owners sleep in. She likes to wait all day at the window for her family to come home. She also has the cutest markings that make a heart on her nose. Bella lives in Land O’ Lakes with her proud owner, Austin McAdams.

An unmistakable image

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This great blue heron was sitting in the pond at Steve Vinik’s home in Lexington Oaks, in Wesley Chapel, squawking at something. After gazing fixedly for some minutes and then swiveling its head when Vinik tapped at the window, the heron suddenly lifted off across the pond.

Life is ‘golden’ for this family pet

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Miss Lucie is an 8-year-old golden retriever that arrived from Canada this past October. She happily spends her days chasing geckos instead of snowflakes in the backyard, loving the break from the winter weather. Her life as a snowbird seems to be pretty great! Miss Lucie lives in Dade City with her proud owners, Gilbert and Joanne Dionne.

Which way out?

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This toad seems to be pondering how it got stuck on the back porch of the Rathman family home, in Land O’ Lakes.

Miss Mabel loves to shop

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Miss Mabel is a 9-year-old Maltipoo that came running up to her owner on the Mississippi River levy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2019. Mabel was homeless and in need of care, so Ester Ragolta flew back home with her to Land O’ Lakes. Miss Mabel loves to dress up and if she hears, ‘Let’s go shopping,’ she gets more excited than her humans do. Miss Mabel shares her home with Jackie, the cat.

Our national bird

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Doris Moore snapped this photo of a bald eagle, a classic icon, by the backyard pond in her neighborhood of Northwood Palms in Wesley Chapel.

Patches and Willow are cute sisters

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Patches and Willow were adopted five years ago. They are very active and love to look out the window at the pond, where they can see an abundance of birds, geckos and other wildlife. The sisters have lots of toys to play with and enjoy tossing them into the air. They are very lovable and have truly made their house a ‘home.’ Patches and Willow live with their owner Ginnie Traudt in Wesley Chapel.