The Allison Family of Wheaton named their pandemic puppy Sherlock. Sherlock is a Shetland sheepdog and plays a lot with Ingrid Allison, left, 8, and Greta Allison, 4.
Courtesy of Kathryn Staron
When we asked readers to share photos with us of pets they've adopted during the pandemic, we didn't expect 100 photos (and counting) to come pouring in. But that's what happened - only going to prove what we've known for a long time. Suburbanites are big-hearted and they love their pets.
Carter Bangit of Bartlett makes a nice resting spot for their rescued pigeon Skye. Erica Bangit saw the pigeon in their yard while gardening. It was tagged and didn't fly away. They posted a photo on a local Facebook community page asking if anyone had lost a bird. From there, they learned it was a domesticated pigeon and that it was in danger outside. Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue asked them to try and trap the bird and keep her safe. After a few days they were able to do that. They tried to find the owner, and had her checked by a vet and did a DNA test to determine her gender. They learned she was a girl and that she was a baby pigeon. The owners were never found, so the Bangits kept her. The Bangit family also adopted a dog, Toby, in November.
Courtesy of Erica Bangit
And what better time to add a new furry friend to the family than when we are home more and in need of comfort?
"We didn't know how much we needed him in our lives," a Wildwood family wrote of their newly adopted dog. "His sweet demeanor and happy spirit has really lifted us up during this time."
Many families said their new pet's antics were a welcome distraction from stress and worries.
"She keeps us entertained for hours," an Arlington Heights family wrote about their new puppy. "She makes a great addition to our family."
Mary and Keith Mikell of Arlington Heights adopted their beagle mix, Koda, from Wright-Way Rescue in Morton Grove. "We adopted Koda at 12 weeks old at the beginning of the pandemic," the Mikells said. "She keeps us entertained for hours. She makes a great addition to our family."
Courtesy of Mary and Keith Mikell
It was more than just cats and dogs adopted during the pandemic, although dogs were definitely the most popular. Readers also sent photos of their cats, birds, bunnies and pocket pets.
Here's a sampling of pet photos readers shared with us. We couldn't fit them all on this page, so look for more next Sunday, Jan. 3; and in a gallery online at www.dailyherald.com.
Images: Daily Herald readers share photos of their pandemic pets