A normal reaction when kitty brings a rodent into the house to play with: a few moments of panic, possibly swearing, a bit of "Bad cat!" followed by a hasty wielding of a broom or similar weapon to swish the pest back outside.

After a recent conversation with a friend in which we decided that there were no skunks in Alameda, imagine my surprise Monday when I drove past the Chuck Corica golf course towards San Leandro and smelled something awful.

Alameda is filled with plenty of warmhearted pet owners who have opened their hearts and their homes for an animal in need. Sadly, not all animals are this fortunate.

Alameda Sun photographers Dennis Evanosky and Jennelle Torres caught these animals observing or participating in the Fourth of July parade last Sunday.

The Alameda Recreation and Parks Department will visit the newly reopened Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose next Saturday, July 17. You can see mammals, reptiles, birds, arachnids, and insects. Your family can visit Doc's Critter Care, the Education Center and the Lemur Woods Exhibit.