Jungle Red Writers: Parade of pets

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Does this need anymore introduction than to say, PETS ON PARAAAAADE!!! No, it does not.


Stephanie Michaels' bonded feral rescue cats. Not looking very feral, are they?

Roxanne Eflin's adventurous Shih Tzu Zoe is ready to tackle the Colorado Rockies (if you carry her.)

Margaret Turkevich's standard poodle Louie is "clueless but enthusiastic," while...

...Jazz waits for a mole to emerge. Good job, Jazz!

According to Pat Dupuy, 18 year old Jack loves his food, his walks, and his naps - and he lives to mess with his person, Frank.

Ann Mason has a FULL HOUSE when it comes to pets - plus an additional beautiful baby pic...

Edith Maxwell/Maddie Day's big, gentle Martin. I bet he gets sooo many cuddles.

Here's fan favorite Koda, courtesy of Liz Milliron, who tells us her greyhound is saying, “I totally smell that brisket sandwich. You better remember to pay your dog tax.”


Kathy G's Roberto likes to "help" her while working, so her daughter memorialized him in a meme!

Flora Church says, "these are the two youngest cats--siblings and full of personality plus. I included the pic of Baggins with me because it's my favorite photo of him. I don't think he realizes that he's a cat; he's more like a toddler and very loving! His sibling has been catnapped by a nephew and I miss her dreadfully. Whenever I go visit, she leaps into my arms and purrs in my ear.

However, including Baggie, we have five cats and six was too stressful on the older cats. Then there's Nemo, the elderly mini-dachshund who pays no attention whatsoever to the cats, but who comes to get me whenever they have the audacity to make use of his bed.

"Paint me like one of your French girls, Jack."

I'm pretty sure Annette Dashofy's Kensi Kitty is saying, "No paparazzi, please."

This is Margo's new (deaf) kitten Prue, sharing space on "Geriatric Row" with Alf and trying to decide if she wants to be friends. Below, the Morning Walk, a train of up to six cats who follow Jack as he makes his rounds of the property. I'm sure he finds them very helpful, Margo.

These two sweeties belong to Audra Bayes. Look at those faces!!!!

J. Julian sent this to me with the caption, "Our Georgie Girl," and I immediately began singing the song. She is clearly the bestest earworm ever.

And now, my granddogs, courtesy of my daughter Victoria! On top is Janey, who's mellowed from an anxious street rescue to a placid Grande Dame. Below her is Karma, about whom we say, "You don't have to be smart, dear, you're can be pretty."

Coralee's beautiful quartet of cats: On top is "Kitsune. She is about 8 yo. Named for her color and for her fox like tail. Secondly, our oldest rescue, Major. She was a stray who lived as an outdoor cat until 2024. She is about 15-16 yo. You will recognize Kitsune behind her.

Last is Roshi (Japanese for "Old Teacher".) Our Zen cat stayed at the shelter for over a year before we adopted him. He weighs about 14.5 pounds. He is around 5 years old. Was dumped outside the shelter before they opened.

We love them all, they keep us grounded.

Maria Vetrano's absolutely adorable 4-year-old King Charles Spaniel, Mango Chutney. (What a great name!)

Cary Emig's 4-year-old Bernadoodle, Molly Moon, is obviously very sad because she never gets fed, not ever.

Maureen Murphy has a brand-new addition to her household: Oreo, a three-year-old terrier mix who was adopted on April 12. Welcome to your forever home, Oreo!

Love the little teefies

Judi Purcell says, "These two black kitties are Rosie and Rowdy. This is an older picture and now I can't tell which is which. But their personalities are very different so when they are active I know which one is up to mischief. I'm not going to name names but usually it isn't the girl kitty. Surprise!"

I'll let Susan Emerson tell you about Jack in her own words.

"My dear sister is a big dog lover and has always had a dog. She is now in the early stages of dementia, and had already made the decision that when her current dog, Jack, passed, he would not be replaced.

Sadly, his end came yesterday. We had to put Jack down, and we took him out to the farm of our nephew to be buried. It was a heartbreaking day in many ways, but I think being able to bury him on a family farm made a lot of difference in how the experience felt by the end of the day.

Jack was a mutt, seemingly some kind of miscellaneous terrier, poodle, mystery mix. He had the sweetest personality and the most soulful eyes of just about any dog I've ever known."

We're so sorry for your family, Susan. The great joy of a dogs life is that they can be with their best friend their whole lives, the great sorrow or ours is that we cannot.

On another side of that equation, Kathy Lynn Emerson sent a picture of Shadow, who belonged to the late and much-missed Lea Wait. Lea left her to Kathy and Sandy, where, Kathy says, "She's been the boss at chez Emerson ever since."

This sweet ol' muffin is Waldo, and he and Betty Fellows are coming up to their 13th adoption anniversary! That makes him somewhere between 15 and 17 years old, but clearly, he's living his best and most comfy life.

Linda Rangus's foster cat Mac is waiting for Windows updates to finish. I feel you, Mac, I feel you. Mac is being sponsored by the Lulu's Locker Rescue, Frankfort, IL, so if any of you live near the Windy City and are looking for that special friend/ work supervisor, let us Linda know!

Pat S's Buddy clearly likes to get in the weeds of his work, which is looking handsome while lounging.

And finally, you may all remember Walker, the $15,000 cat. He's now living in The Hague (no, not as a prisoner) and enjoying life as a sophisticated, urbane kat.

Yes, it's an Air Tag. No more spontaneous escapes for Walker.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their pets with us, and to add a reminder: when hard times hit the economy, pets can suffer. Please consider donating to your local animal shelter or animal fund helping people pay veterinary costs. We rely on them, and they rely on us.💖