Pets/Wildlife

Layla is a 5-year-old Jack Russell-Beagle mix, although her beautiful and unique markings remind her owners of a Blue Heeler-Beagle mix. Layla was adopted from Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue. When she wants to, Layla can be very energetic. She loves to go for long walks, snuggle, and go for car rides. Layla’s favorite foods are scrambled eggs and cheese. She likes to play fetch (although she doesn’t like to give her toys back), and she’s always happy to go outside. Layla is very well-behaved and loves to be the center of attention. Layla lives with the Elam family in Wesley Chapel.

Bella is a 9-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier rescue mix. There is no shortage of kisses from this canine cutie. Bella loves to greet the neighbors as they walk by the house, and she has even tried to go home with food and mail delivery drivers. She loves to go fishing on the dock with her doggie daddy. And, she loves to play with her toys, run in the nature preserve and visit the pet shop afterwards to select her own, new toy. Bella lives with her doggie parents, Bob Colberg and Paula Means, in Lutz.

Sharon Thompson witnessed this great blue heron fishing for and catching its lunch in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel. Herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds. Some are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons.

Sydney is a 4-year-old Australian shepherd that loves her family, her tennis ball, and swimming in her pool. Sydney was adopted while her family was stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia. She now resides in Lutz with the Cahill family – Nicole, Darby, Patrick and Colin.

Ralph Soto saw this star spider at the Blue Jay Mobile Home Park in Dade City. Also known as a spiny-backed orb weaver, spiny orb weaver or spiny spider, this species is mostly harmless. Usually the spider’s large web will startle and annoy people, but the spiders pose no serious health risks. The spiny orb weaver spider lives on the edges of woodlands and shrubby gardens. They frequently live in nurseries, as well as citrus groves. The species is found in many parts of the world and is seen along the southeast coast of the United States and in California.

Holly is a very loving 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She likes to go for walks to greet the neighbors. She also likes cookies, which is the reason she is now on a diet. Holly lives with her owners, Lee and Beverly Gonzales, in Lutz.

Patch is 14 ½ years old, and loves every human and animal. He has his own water dish, apart from his home’s other rescued cats, and it must be filled at all times. Patch was a rescue from Land O’ Lakes Animal Services at 12 weeks old. He likes to help to make the bed in his Zephyrhills home, with his human, Gracie Strope.

Sharon Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, caught this black racer peering out of a bush, while she was taking a walk. These snakes are common in grasslands, open woodlands and suburban areas. The racer often is found near water where prey is plentiful. A lively daytime predator with excellent vision, it is plain to see how this speedy, agile snake got its name as it quickly hunts down frogs, rodents, lizards, fish, insects and other snakes.

Nicole Magazu snapped a shot of this swallow-tailed kite over her house in Land O’ Lakes. She and her husband, Frank, enjoyed watching the bird’s graceful flight. Kites spend most of their time in the air, capturing and swallowing their food as they fly.

Sadie is 6 1/2 years old and is very caring and loving. She has a great personality, but is spoiled. She loves pulling all of her toys out and sunbathing in the Florida sun (whether it be through the window or laying on the screened patio). If you mention a walk, you better be ready to go because Sadie loves walks and becomes sad if she can’t go. Sadie hogs all the covers and pillows, and loves tummy rubs. Sadie’s family rescued her from a shelter when she was about 6 months old. She lives with Remy and Jennifer Burgunder in Land O’ Lakes.