Pets/Wildlife

Louis is a 13-year-old Pomeranian. He is very sweet and always has a smile on his face. Louis loves to run around the house barking and enjoys playing with his toys. He lives in Tampa, but has a very special bond with his grandma, Patty Lohn, of Wesley Chapel. Louis visits often, unless there is a pandemic.

Ring-billed gulls often congregate around humans, parking lots, at garbage dumps, and freshly plowed fields. While the species is common on coastal beaches, particularly during winter, many ring-billed gulls lead inland lives, never setting eyes on the sea. This ring-billed gull, taken by Lillian Cucuzza of Land O’ Lakes, looks like it’s voicing its opinion on a touchy subject.

Bailey is a 3-year-old terrier hound mix. She was adopted as a puppy from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Bailey lives with two other rescue dogs and one cat. She loves to play with her siblings, eat treats, ride in the car, and go on adventure walks where she can see the sights. Bailey lives with the Enright family — April, Matthew and Haley — in Lutz.

Doris G. Moore snapped this photo of a few birds sharing space by the pond in the Northwood subdivision in Wesley Chapel. From left: a roseate spoonbill, a white ibis and an anhinga.

Chance and Samantha are 9-month-old reverse brindle boxers, and are brother and sister. Born in Niceville, these pups were relocated to Lutz when they were 10 weeks old. They really wanted to be Pets of the Week because they love Lutz and all that it has to offer. And, both love their daily day care at Pet Paradise in Wesley Chapel. Chance and Samantha live with Jim and Lisa Patterson in Lutz.

Theresa Sierra, of Land O’ Lakes, caught this osprey still holding the tail of his lunch in his powerful claw. Ospreys search for fish by flying on steady wingbeats and bowed wings, or circling high in the sky over relatively shallow water. They often hover briefly before diving, feet first, to grab a fish. You can often clearly see an osprey’s catch in its talons, as the bird carries it back to a nest or perch.

Callie is a calico kitten who loves her family and always likes playing with her toys. She is a sweetheart and loves to play with her two other cat siblings, Dottie and Chester, too. Callie is (mostly) obedient, and even likes wearing colorful dresses. Callie is a rescue from a family who had too many kittens, but has now found her furever home with Joseph Zahrobsky and family, of Land O’ Lakes.

This Eastern bluebird couple has been visiting the feeders in Kimberly MacMartin’s backyard, in Lutz. Eastern bluebirds mostly eat insects, wild fruit and berries. Occasionally, they have been observed capturing and eating larger prey items, such as shrews, salamanders, snakes, lizards and tree frogs.

Mallie, Rascal and Lola stand at attention at the dog beach on Honeymoon Island, as they wait for a treat. Their owner said a photo of all three dogs together is rare! The trio lives with Mike and Renda Flowers in Wesley Chapel.

Karen Whitenton, of Lutz, snapped this photo of a female cardinal that had just finished eating and still had a few seeds on her beak. Female cardinals are beautiful, especially when they are sitting in the sun, as it makes their colors deeper and richer.