That’s the arm of Walker Nature Center Katie Shaw – being used as a favored mode of transportation by the center’s resident corn snake. Photos contributed
It’s that time of year again. Nope, not a holiday - although perhaps it should be. It’s that anticipated edition when the Connection Newspapers celebrate the furry, or finned or feathered or scaled or clawed creatures that make themselves a cherished part of the family. Although Reston and Herndon probably number as many pets as people in their populations, sadly we’ve only got room to introduce you to a few – so here we go!
Meet Bentley
The 5-year-old shih tzu is no stranger to celebrity. When his “mom” Michelle Stevens wrote a book on the family’s experiences with the birth of super-preemie Emily, Bentley graciously agreed to be the “narrator” of the tale and even to have his name in the title – “Bentley’s Preemie Blessing.” Bentley admits to being a “Mama’s Boy,” (“He’s like Velcro, following me everywhere,” says Michelle) although he does enjoy spending time with his “sister,” especially since she provides him with the leftovers or food stuff she doesn’t want. Bentley is happy to accept. Bentley came into the Stevens’ Herndon household as a rescue from the Animal Relief Fund in Maryland. Aside from being the writing assistant to his “mom,” Bentley can even claim some political connections, having walked the halls of the Russell Senate Office Building when Michelle worked on the Hill.
A Lake Anne Love Story
The protagonists are Dee, a 36-year resident of Reston and a realtor with Long and Foster at Lake Anne, and Boomer, an adult Tick hound, who couldn’t really share his back-story, but will no doubt be making lots of new memories in his new forever home. Dee says she has always been a dog lover, so when PetMAC opened its Lake Anne doors in January, she just had to stop by and take a look. As owner Cindy Williams says, PetMAC is “a one-stop shop for the healthiest choices in pet foods, as well as toys and accessories.” The store is also a pet adoption center, working in partnership with a number of animal rescue and welfare groups – and that’s how Dee and Boomer met. “I went by when they were having an adoption event. I knew I didn’t want a puppy – too much like a new baby for me! And I saw Boomer. He had the kindest face. I think he had been to several adoption days and hadn’t been picked. I think he looked a bit sad, so I just knew he was the one,” said Dee. After 3 weeks, Boomer has settled in well to his new home, although his feline siblings (especially one brother) still have him a bit intimidated.
Share the Love
Share the love with a creature that kind of belongs to us all. She’s an un-named 3-year-old corn snake who resides at the Walker Nature Center in Reston. “We never named her,” said Center Manager Katie Shaw, “because she’s really more of an ambassador for her species than a pet” - although everyone who has ever met Jane Doe the Snake agrees that she is just as friendly and fun. Ms. Snake came to the Center from South Lakes High School where she hatched 13 babies. As fun and entertaining as she can be, Director Shaw reminds us that snakes “often live more than 20 years. If you are thinking of a pet snake, please keep that in mind. Only go to a reputable pet store or breeder, and never release a pet snake into the outdoors.” And don’t forget to stop by and meet this friendly representative of the reptile world.
A “Tail” of Survival
Although we’ll never get the details from Iris the Cat who was a Hurricane Sandy survivor. “I would love to hear her story,” says adoptive “mom” Lisa Wallace of Reston. “But she’s not talking - at least not about that!” For reasons known only to Iris, she prefers to be the only cat in her kingdom, which suits Lisa just fine. Wallace is the Office Manager for The Pet Elf, a Reston-based petsitting and care company, so she knows a thing or two about finicky felines and in their 1 ½ year relationship has bonded well with Iris and made her feel right at home. “Iris is who she is,” says Wallace. “She likes to be nearby, does like some petting now and then. She’s certainly claimed a lot of spots around the house as hers. It’s a good relationship.”
Keeping the Pack Intact
When the McKnight family of Reston suffered the loss of several furry family members in the last year, what could they do but look for the right new additions to the family pack. The McKnights always had a bit of a menagerie going on around the house between the kids and the creatures. Now they have 9-month-old rescue Mason and 6-year-old Lucy to keep things interesting.
The Writer’s Prerogative
OK. This one is cheating, but meet the writer’s friend, Macska (pronounced “muchka,” it’s the Hungarian word for “cat”. Now 3 ½ years old, Miss Macska came into the Worker household from their own backyard, when she was just 6 weeks old. When she was discovered, the torn-up kitty immediately dived into the pond, from which she had to be soggily rescued! After some medical care and socializing, this is one tortie who knows who’s in charge and never lets you forget mealtime.