Pet of the Month

Congratulations to our August 2023 Pet of the Month, Skip Jack Waltensperger!

Hi! My name is Skip Jack, but most people call me “Skip.” It’s a good name. It fits. I’m an Oriental shorthair, born in Ft. Worth, Texas during COVID and had to flown from there to Atlanta and then to Orlando as a kitten, to meet my new friends who are also Oriental shorthairs – Wally and Zep, as well as my new humans. Even as a young kitten, in a new home, I didn’t back down and have totally integrated myself into the family. I went from being treated as an outcast to one of the three “peas-in-a-pod.” I love to play, especially chasing other felines and squirrels outside the screen, hide and seek, racing up the stairs, and then sliding on my back down the stairs!  I also love to greet my humans at the door when they come home; I am very vocal; I love to show off how well I can climb and love to sleep under the covers at night with my humans.  Lastly, I can’t forget feeding time. I’m first to let you know when it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinnertime. I park myself on the kitchen stool and gently demand to be served.  I especially love visiting my friends at TOAH and showing off my friendliness to a great staff!

Congratulations to our July 2023 Pet of the Month, Messi Saracco!

Congratulations to our June 2023 Pet of the Month, Negan Buerk!

Hi, my name is Negan.  My mom told me I am named after a charismatic villain from “The Walking Dead” graphic novels/TV show.  She tells me that my name suits me perfectly, as I can be quite affectionate and charming when I want to be, but I am also a bit shady and will smack any dog that steps out of line.   I am a dashing 7-year-old black cat with a small white blaze on my chest and a couple of white toes.

I had a bit of a rough start to my life.  A kind lady saw me get thrown out of a car window when I was only 6 weeks old.  This kind lady brought me to a local vet clinic in the sandhills of North Carolina.  As luck would have it this is where I met my future family, as my human mom worked at this vet hospital.  It was discovered that I had a broken hind leg and would need surgery to repair it.  My mom fixed me right up.  I was such a trooper and was good as new in no time.

I now call Florida home, with my human mom, my human brother, and 2 rather daft dogs.  I am an expert bug hunter, and I enjoy chattering at the birds that frequent our yard.  I love laying on warm freshly folded laundry, assisting mom with jigsaw puzzles, and I make sure my mom feeds me right on time (I start gently reminding her that food is needed in about 1 hour – and I will remind her every 2 minutes after that).  Patience is overrated in my opinion.

I take full advantage of my ink-black color, as I will sneak attack my dog siblings with a well-timed smack.  I am far superior to them, but they are family, and I will provide them with affectionate head boops when they are not feeling well or if we are somewhere a little scary (TOAH vets and staff are amazing, but it is a little scary to my canine sibling – so I make sure they are ok whenever we have to visit).  Thank you TOAH staff for nominating me as Pet of the Month – I humbly accept this great honor.

Congratulations to our May 2023 Pet of the Month, Benjamin Velasquez!

Benjamin (Benny) came to be our love out of deep sorrow over the loss of two of our dogs, just 12 days
apart. We didn’t think we could love another dog the way we loved those two. But of course, we were
wrong!
Benny was born in Connecticut in July of 2019 and we brought him home to FL at 8 weeks old. He is a
high-energy bird dog who needs a lot of exercise every day to keep his mischievousness at bay. Oh, the
things he has broken or chewed up! We placed him in Puppy Preschool almost immediately after
bringing him home and socialized him with doggie daycare after that. We are so glad that we did. To
meet him is to see that he is a gentle giant. During a walk, he will not seem to understand it when we
come across another dog that barks, growls or pulls to get at him. He just seems to be thinking, “Why
are you acting like that? I’m just Benny! Aren’t all dogs supposed to be friends?!”
Benny loves to be bear-hugged and kissed – and his favorite place to be is under the covers in the bed.
But we can’t tell you about Benny without mentioning his real favorite thing – and that is his “little
brother”, Franklin – a Brittany born in 2020. They are just 7 months apart. They have been joined at the
hip from the moment we introduced Benny to his new playmate. During playtime, Benny has always
“pulled his punches”, when he could have been too rough due to his size. He seems to understand that
he has been given the gift of a small friend. We are so happy that they have each other every day for
companionship and exercise. Sometimes a bit too much “exercise” and romping occur – but it’s all part
of the journey. It is messy, crazy and chaotic most days – but we know the days spent with them will
never be regretted or forgotten!

Congratulations to our April 2023 Pet of the Month, Kiki Niles!

Congratulations to our March 2023 Pet of the Month, Remmie Kennybrook!

Remmie Kennybrook joined the family as a puppy, this courageous puppy survived parvovirus.  Thank you to Dr. Fullenwider as she introduced us to Remmie after our puppy Murphy had to be put to sleep.  She is a happy girl, she had 2 brothers Zeus ( who passed late last year), Beau, sister Cocoa, and the newest edition Zoe who is almost 12 weeks old.  She is mommy’s girl, always loving( except for her cookies).  She is now 12 years old and still acts like a puppy.

I met Delite in 2019. When I decided to get a ragdoll cat as a companion for my mother, who has Alzheimer’s. We had dogs in the past, but I was unfamiliar with caring for a cat. After doing some research, I learned that ragdolls were good Stater felines. Of course, I fell in love with Delite the second she was placed in my arms. She is blessed with thick rabbit-like fur, and we both enjoy her daily grooming sessions, which we find very relaxing. Delite is probably what many people would consider “Spoiled.” She has an enclosed outdoor catio with 13 cat trees, from where we watch birds, lizards, rabbits, and opossums. One squirrel sits in the magnolia tree outside of Delites catio, and teases her relentlessly. In the afternoon, Delite usually naps in one of her seven indoor cat trees, which surrounds a radio that continuously plays soft jazz. Delite has enjoyed excellent health throughout her 14 years, thanks to the exceptional care of Dr. McPherson and the staff. Delite did have a bout of hyperthyroidism two years ago, but with Dr. McPherson’s guidance, that ailment was cured. Delite has always lived up to her name, which was taken from PSALM 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the lord, and he will grant you the desires of your heart.” My best friend will always be the “Delite of my life.”

Congratulations to our December 2022 Pet of the Month, Smokey Hull!!

“Like so many of our furry friends, Smokey showed up at our doorstep as a 10-week-old kitten. Her gorgeous silver-gray fur and the “love me” look in her eyes captured our hearts, and we took her in.

That was in 2005; since then, she has been a shy yet sweet companion. She loves to drink water from the bathtub faucet, and at the age 15, she decided to become a “lap cat” when she would sleep in my lap each evening. Now, at 17, she has the usual “old-age” challenges, but we love her just the same”!