A Salute to Tennis Balls September 13, 2026
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, fetch, Jack the dog, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, tennis anyone, tennis balls, US Open
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I was lucky to be able to work at the US Open for about five years. What did I do there? I was a ‘runner’ for the Associated Press. I essentially sat next to their photographer(s) at court side and when their camera’s memory card was either full or an amazing event happened on the court the memory card had to be ‘run’ back to the media center and given to their editors to send out across the ‘wire.’ It was always fun. It was sometimes hot. It was sometimes rainy. And by the end of my eight hours I was exhausted. I got to see some amazing tennis, talented athletes and probably saw enough tennis in those years to last a life time. I was lucky to be able to get some souvenir tennis balls to take home to my pets. Those years saw a lot of fetching to not only my fabulous dogs…but it turns out my cats enjoyed tennis balls too. Today’s montage salutes those chewed up tennis balls. Here are some photos I took while working at the US Open all those years ago.US Open 2015, the US Open 2014, the US Open 2013 and the US Open 2012 – Game, Set, Match!
Sweet Thirteen September 6, 2026
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Happy Birthday, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography
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My wonderful cats, Audrey and Roberta celebrate their thirteenth birthday this weekend. I adore them both. They came to me as kittens in 2013 and the smiles, laughs, celebrations of every major and minor holiday began. Their tenure with me included sharing their living space with Madison the elder cat, Benny the dog, One-eyed Jack, Mr Pepe and the arrival of another cat, Pete, some seven years ago. I started a Facebook account for them the week they arrived and ‘we’ post a photo every day of their shenanigans. They have over 1000 followers many of who comment daily. If you want to see their page – click here. Happy 13th my sweet Kitties!
Cat and Dog Days of August August 9, 2026
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, cats, dogs, Madison the cat, NYC, Pet portraits, photography
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I recently saw some pet portraits on display and began to think about all of the pet portraits I was lucky enough to have been asked to create over the years. I did a deep archive dive into my voluminous photo files and found quite a few portraits that I have created. Honestly, some I remember clearly creating, and others…not so much. Anyhow – cheers to the Dog (and Cat) Days of August. In no particular order I present Turbo, Scoop, Jack (with two eyes), Buda, Amy and Jeffrey, Barney, Beamer, Cuba and Sophie, Benny 1, Benny 2, and of course my Benny. Bernie the Boxer, Binky (the logo for the Binky Foundation), Caledonia, Chaplin, Charlie Brown and Lucy, Coco, Corky, Darth and friend, Elsa, Salvador, Priscilla, Foster, Two German Shepherds, Jpeg, Audrey, Jazzie, Kaiya, Madison, Max, Paloma, Rocco, Dumpling, Susie Q, Tiger and Coco, Ty, Wilma the cat and my very first dog, Donald. Always remember, adopt, don’t shop. The shelters are full and your next pet companion awaits your visit.
Mr. Pepe – In Memorium May 3, 2026
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Binky Foundation, In Memorium, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Rainbow Bridge
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It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Mr. Pepe’s passing. We enjoyed 6.5 years of fun, goofy antics, costumes, special walks with friends and tolerating our three cats as room-mates. He had a series of issues in his declining health. Arthritis, cataracts, dementia, incontinence and more. We held on as long as we could but I knew the day was coming. Our 16 year old chihuahua was ready to cross that Rainbow Bridge. Not sure I believe in heaven or hell but I most definitely believe in that Rainbow Bridge that all of our companion animals get to cross. As he lay dying I named all of the friends he would meet as he crossed. In no particular order he will greet Madison the Elder cat, Sweet Benny the dog, One-eyed Jack, Binky, Chaplin, Sam, Scoop, Jr, Jpeg, Jazzie, Henri, Porkchop, Linda, Coco, Kaiya, Cloud, Sophie, my first dog, Donald, my first cat, Fang, Sugar, Pushkin, Buda, Finn, James and dozens of other wonderful companions. Hug your pet today for me please. It would be greatly appreciated if you made a donation to the Binky Foundation in Mr. Pepe’s name. He was a very good boy.
Holiday Outtakes December 28, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Holiday, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, NYC rescue pets, photography, Santa, senior dog
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For my penultimate Sunday blog post of 2025 I present our holiday photo outtakes through the years. The trials, tribulations and laughs we experience in creating our holiday posts are really lots of fun for all involved – especially me. My adorable companions get many treats throughout our photo sessions.
Hanukkah Sameach! December 14, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Hanukkah, Hanukkah Sameach, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, NYC, Pete the Cat, photography
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Tonight is first night of Hanukkah and I thought I wold share some of my Hanukah photos over the years. Some of you might remember doggies Sweet Benny and One-eyed Jack and of course grumpy Madison the cat who have all crossed that rainbow bridge. Our present gang includes Audrey, Roberta and Pete the cats with Mr. Pepe the dog. No animal was singed, harmed or abused in any way in the making of these photos – treats were involved. Hanukkah Sameach! 
Dog Days of Summer August 17, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, cats, Dog Days of Summer, dogs, Jack the dog, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography
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Raise your hand if you think this summer has been stupid hot. (Both my hands are raised). The dog days of summer are those hot and sultry days we are now experiencing. We have officially just ended that period called the dog days of summer— it is that time in August when the humidity is so high that you could cut the air with a knife. This year those 40 days happened between Thu, Jul 3, 2025 – Mon, Aug 11, 2025. I don’t think we are getting out of this weather pattern soon anytime soon. It is historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, bad luck and curly hair. They are now taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. So I have chosen to share my dogs of summer (both past and present), along with some of my cats to honor this dreaded season. I salute Sweet Benny, One-eyed Jack, Mr Pepe, and some of their walking buddies including Fuego, Conrad, Ivy and Max. Included are my present cats, Roberta, Audrey and Pete. We all await those falling leaves and pumpkins.
Hippity Hop April 20, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Easter bunny, nature, One-eyed Jack the Dog, photography, Rabbits, wildlife
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The most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter Bunny, was reportedly introduced to America by German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century. In Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, particularly during Easter celebrations. The rabbit’s ability to reproduce quickly also signifies fertility and new life. Rabbits are the ‘go to’ animal during this holiday. See if you can spot some of these breeds in today’s photo montage: Himalayans, Belgian Hares, Flemish Giants, Holland Lops, Giant Chinchillas, Dwarf Hotots, Harelquins, Thriantas. We have never had a bunny at Casa Lobo so the photos above is the closest we could get. 
Irish Breeds March 16, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Benny the dog, dogs, Irish Breeds, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, Museum of the Dog, NYC, photography
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Top o’ the morning to all. There are nine Native Dogs of Ireland. Two Hounds – Irish Wolfhound and Kerry Beagle, three Gun dogs – Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Red Setter and Irish Red & White Setter, four Terriers – Irish Terrier, Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier, Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Kerry Blue Terrier. The Museum of the Dog featured these nine breeds in their latest exhibit. It is on through March 30th. There are also cats with Irish roots. Namely the Manx cat as well as the Cymric cat. Both of these cat types have very short to entirely absent tails as a mutation to the usual cat body structure. The Cymric cat is the long haired variety of the Manx. Today’s photo montage features all of these splendid breeds. You might notice that I took the liberty of including some of my own cherished pets in all their Irish splendor. The bottom photo is a feature of the Museum of the Dog. There’s a booth where you snap your photo and the Museum pairs you up with your dog match. This visit I was matched with a Maltese who is part of the ’toy group’ and is gentle, playful and charming. Perfect!
Cheers thru the Years January 1, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, baby animals, Benny the dog, Casa Lobo, Cheers, Happy new year, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, photography
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Like most of you, many of my old New Year photos popped up this week. I enjoyed looking at the changing cast of characters these past 13 years. Thought you might like to smile at them too. Wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year. The cast of characters include: sister cats, Andrew and Roberta, Madison the elder cat, Sweet Benny the dog, One-eyed Jack the dog, Pete the newest cat and of course the very photogenic and charming Mr Pepe the dog.
While at the Zoo 