Pets/Wildlife

Mr. Bean is an English Springer Spaniel that was rescued from a puppy mill, along with his two brothers. While in a shelter, Mr. Bean was very ill and appeared to be depressed. Now, at 11 years old, he is a healthy, loving dog thanks to a foster program, his former foster mother, and the veterinarians at a local shelter. Mr. Bean seems to have a sixth sense about people and how they feel. Every night he spends time with his owners, Howard and Natalie Engel, on the couch, while they are watching TV or reading. Mr. Bean and the Engels reside in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel.

Kim Moore, of Land O’ Lakes, has had the pleasure of watching cardinals build a nest in one of her palm plants, three times since the beginning of the year. The two babies born in March, unfortunately, did not survive. Three babies also were born in June, and all three flew from the nest. The cardinals came back and settled in again in July.

 

 

 

Zoe was the best 45th anniversary gift ever for her owners, Siegfried and Linda Barry, of Land O’ Lakes. Zoe is a sweet, 1 ½-year-old piebald mini dachshund who loves being in the pool on ‘her float.’ She does her best to warm her family’s hearts each day.

Meagan Rathman-Urena, of Lutz, spotted this tiny gecko in her workplace. Normally found outside, geckos can range from .64 inches to 24 inches in length. Geckos have various patterns and colors. Most are nocturnal, but day geckos are usually active to nibble on insects, fruits and flower nectar.

Sharon Thompson said there were 10 rabbits in the Country Walk subdivision in Wesley Chapel, at Country Point Boulevard and Rolling Green Drive. The rabbits were very still and appeared to not move a muscle.

Abby is a 9-month-old Goldendoodle that looks more like a Golden Retriever, but with the legs of a poodle. Abby is a happy, loving and ready-to-have-some-fun kind of pooch! She is great at jumping, but quite clumsy when landing. Abby loves to find headphones around the house to play with, too. She also loves to watch TV on an iPad and prefers shows that include some of her dog pals. Abby’s proud owner is Nitza Diaz, of Lutz.

Will Abraham took this photo of an Anhinga reflected in one of the Oak Grove neighborhood ponds, in Lutz. The bird was drying itself out after a rainy night.