The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Pets/Wildlife

Basking in the sun

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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.

Spencer has a thing for squirrels

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Spencer is a rescue Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd mix. When not demanding his owner’s attention, Spencer enjoys squirrels — looking at squirrels and barking at squirrels. He also enjoys napping — and, of course, dreaming about squirrels. Oh, and he also likes chicken jerky. Spencer’s proud owner is Marjorie Hoffmann, of Land O’ Lakes.

Serene wildlife

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Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, was waiting for a baby gator to surface in this retention pond when three deer popped out of the woods. It was a great day to capture reflections on the pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watching from a distance

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Siri Abeyratne, of Wesley Chapel, came upon this alligator sunning itself. An alligator will control its body temperature by basking in the sun.

Mike is a great companion

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Mike

Mike is a 9-year-old border collie that was found at a rescue eight years ago. At that time, he had never been in a car or a house and was not house-broken, due to abuse through neglect. Mike has come a long way. He has earned several obedience titles and is a certified therapy dog. Most of all, he is a wonderful companion to, and member of, the Pietropaoli family of Land O’ Lakes.

Biagio loves warm weather

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Biagio is a 4-year-old puggle-bull mix that recently moved to Florida from Rhode Island. One of his favorite places to visit is the Honeymoon Island Dog Beach. Biagio’s proud owner is Susan Amalfitano of Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco Pupper Pirates

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Boscia, Ozzie and Winston are on the high seas. Alfred Mattor and Lupita Salinas are new to Wesley Chapel, recently arriving from Kingston, New York. Ozzie (poodle mix) was rescued from Seattle; Boscia (red doxie) was rescued from New York; and, the newest furbaby, Winston (brindle piebald doxie) came from Pasco County Animal Services in Land O’ Lakes in March.  Winston was heartworm positive, but the staff at the shelter are working hard to treat him. The trio will ‘sea’ you out on the water!

Picking up the scraps

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Sharon Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, found this winged friend eating bits of an ice cream cone in the parking lot at Seven Oaks Market Square. Birds seem to always be hanging around waiting for a morsel.

Mandy is a survivor

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Mandy is a champion Australian Shepherd and was rescued when she was 9 months old. Mandy was beaten and abused if she barked or wanted to play. Her previous owner gave her limited food and water, and no toys. A neighbor convinced the man to give Mandy a chance at freedom. Bob Halczyn’s puppy needed a playmate, so when the puppy’s trainer told him Mandy’s story, he knew he had to make room for her in his family’s home and hearts. Today, Mandy is spoiled a little, eats well and plays in the yard. She loves her stuffed animals, daily walks, training and cuddling at night with her mommy. Mandy enjoys being part of the Halczyn family, of Wesley Chapel, who are blessed to have adopted such a sweet, beautiful, kind fur-baby.