Pets/Wildlife

Vincent, a Siberian cat, bonded from the beginning with his owner. Vincent, aka Vinny, had a rough start to life, as he was rescued from the snow in Manhattan, New York. Now living in Wesley Chapel, Vinny has loved the Florida sun from Day One, He sits in the screened-in pool area during the day. He also loves to snuggle in bed with his owners. When the family decides to rescue or to train a dog or cat, Vinny is their support fur-baby, as he is gentle and assured, as he shows the pets how to behave. He is kind and gentle, and so unique — almost human. Vinny is 18 years old and is slowing down a little. Eileen said she sometimes wonders, who saved who? Vinny lives in Wesley Chapel with Eileen and Robert Halczyn.

Laser is an 11-year-old short-haired red mini dachshund, but don’t tell him he is a mini because he will never believe you! He’s has been part of the Jackson family since he was a puppy. Laser has always been a very high-energy dog, even now in his senior years. He loves to take walks in the neighborhood and visit everyone along the way. In fact, Laser is more well-known in our community than his parents. He doesn’t even mind going to the vet because he gets to meet and interact with new people. Laser has been through a several medical issues, but none have slowed him down. Sarah and Paul Jackson, of Land O’ Lakes, love their little Laser Beam.

Lynn Steffen spotted this reptilian in a crosswalk in Connerton, a community in Land O’ Lakes. This alligator seems to know the importance of crossing at crosswalks, or perhaps he was just trying to avoid a speed bump?

Mabel (yellow lab) and Luna (black lab) are attached and bonded, not only to each other, but to each member in Kate Myers’ family, in their own way. After Kate had surgery, both dogs would rest their head on Kate’s leg to let her know they were offering comfort. Mabel and Luna live in Land O’ Lakes, but love to visit the dog park in Lutz.

Lynn Spradlin snapped this egret, with its beauty on full display, near the retention pond close to her home in Ramblewood Village senior park in Zephyrhills.

Lady ‘Addie’ Adeline is a 10-month-old Airedale Terrier that sits very attentively and watches cows in the pasture. On this particular day, a calf came to the fence to greet her and cow-watching turned to cow-kissing (licking). After a few kisses and licks, Addie motioned, as dogs do, to say, ‘let’s play,’ but the calf skittered off with the herd. Addie lives in Lutz with her mom, Rose Llauget, and watches for the cattle every day, waiting to see her new friends.

Betsy Crisp set up a wildlife camera on the water’s edge of Treasure Lake, in Land O’ Lakes, while she was on vacation. This limpkin stopped by several times and seemed to pose for the camera! Limpkins forage by walking in shallow water, searching for snails visually, and by probing in mud and floating vegetation.

Flip was adopted when he was 3 years old from the Humane Society in Tampa. He had a rough start in life, and it took him a while to learn how to be a dog. From the first night in his new home, Flip began stealing and relocating his owner’s flip-flops, hence his name. Flip loves toys, and in this photo he is supervising the repair of his well-loved ‘Mr. Bill.’ Flip lives in Land O’ Lakes with his mom, Elizabeth Vig.

Leslie Ann Baker recently noticed this large, sleepy white pelican roosting on a rock, on the shore at Zephyr Lake in Zephyrhills. Unlike most pelicans, Baker said this bird didn’t seem to mind her approaching it. One of the largest birds in North America, with a 9-foot wingspan, the white pelican is similar to the brown pelican in shape, but much larger. The white pelican also feeds cooperatively in shallow lakes and does not dive from the air for fish.