The Villages - April 2020 - 4

CHECKING IN

BY RICA KEENUM

For the Love of Pets (And People)
They like to feel the wind in their fur while cruising down golf cart paths.
Chasing tennis balls, sprawling out in the sun and meeting new friends are
the highlights of their lives. In The Villages, dogs have it made - thanks to
the humans who love them.
Ask any resident with a canine companion and they'll tell you why their
dog is worthy. Dogs enrich our lives, shower us with affection, and offer us
unconditional love and companionship. They are the border collies, German
shepherds, golden doodles, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, beagles, bulldogs and
more. In this edition, we spotlight the pooches that make our hearts swell
with pride.
As for greyhounds, their sleek bodies were bred for sprinting. But these
graceful dogs are more than champion racers. They are a beloved breed
with a club of devotees who are quick to brag about their pups. Diane
Black brought her first greyhound home in 1997, and has since learned a
great deal about the gentle giants. Her newly adopted boy Seymore is just
settling in.
"He's only been with me since October," Black said. But the two already
have bonded and made lots of new friends too. As a member of The Villages
Greyhound Club, social outings are part of the fun.
"The greyhound community is a tight-knit bunch," Black said. "I enjoy
the walkabouts. We just take our dogs and walk around the square. We're
talking to people constantly. They want to know if the dogs raced and
where, and if they're always this calm."
In Black's Village of Bonita neighborhood, residents routinely stop
to chat.
"All the dog people know each other," she said. "Without Seymore, I
would not be so popular."
In this pet-themed issue, you'll find lots of stories about dogs, cats and
even an African grey parrot. Check out the photos of some of your friends
and their furry (and feathered) companions.
This month also brings the Easter holiday - a time for feasting and
celebration. Villager Theresa Streb enjoyed traditional Polish foods with her
family while growing up in Baltimore. She shared many of those traditional
recipes with her own children, and she continues to cook and swap recipes
as a member of The Villages Cookbook Club. Read about the savory fresh
Polish sausage her parents made, and her memories of church blessings
and holiday fun. If you're in the market for a new Easter dish, try Streb's
recipe for Poor Man's Borscht - a type of sour soup with dozens of cultural
variations.
Those are just a few of the features in our April issue.

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APRIL 2020
The Villages - April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - April 2020
