2026 Summer Adventure Gallery: June 1–6

Summer Adventure: Creature Quest Gallery

June 1–6, 2026

Select any image to open a larger view and move through submissions.

Screenshot of the Summer Adventure gallery with creature illustrations on various solid color backgrounds with captions that read Your submission could be here.

A pink-nosed husky with soulful eyes lies on a pale-yellow blanket

This is Zara Leia Lacayo. She is a rescue dog that our family adopted from the Dublin SPCA. We were looking for an easy-going dog who would be a calm companion for first time dog owners. What we got was a nosy, surprisingly silent and thoughtful, Siberian Husky. When we first saw her in the window of the Large Dog area, she stood on her hind legs and looked at us, face to face. We said, no way. That’s a wolf. We continued our rounds of shelters and kept searching. We came back a month later and she was still there. The shelter worker then told us Zara had been surrendered by her original family. She also told us that she would ordinarily never suggest a Husky to first time dog owners, but that Zara was different. And she was right. Zara is sweet, friendly, calm and very soft-spoken. She never screams or hollers, she just grumbles and a-woos when she needs something. We truly hit the Husky jackpot.

Library staff member Patty's orange cat, Ray Mangal sitting on a grey blanket.

This is Ray Mangel. I have always had dogs and didn't think I liked cats. When Ray's mommy passed away he needed a home and I thought I'd try having a cat. He has been so entertaining that my husband and I don't know what we did for amusement before he came along. He brightens our lives every day!! When you're feeling a little down, Ray is the perfect thing to make you laugh out loud. This little guy just cracks me up EVERY day!!

An old, gentle gray and white Pomeranian Chihuahua mix rests on a pillow.

Bella is my baby Pomeranian Chihuahua mix. As a senior dog, she's slowed down a lot, but her calm, loving presence is something I've always cherished. I love to joke that I've kissed all the colors off of her face. Don't let her slower pace fool you, though. The moment she sees that I'm heading into the kitchen, Bella is right there at my heels. These days, she'll only eat when she's sitting in my lap, a ritual that began as her own little rule and has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Bella has taught me that caring for an animal means growing and adapting alongside them. Her needs have changed, and I've learned to slow down and be more patient with her, and to appreciate the little moments we have together. She may be older now, but Bella still knows exactly how to make herself the center of my world. There's a saying that goes "Our dogs may just be a chapter of our life, but for them, you are the whole book" and that's why it's so important to give them the story they deserve to the best of our ability.

A sweet grey cat sleeps curled paws-up on a fluffy shag throw blanket.

Egon is a narrator cat, announcing his actions around the house throughout the day. His name comes from a certain meow that sounds an awful lot like the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters. He’s a mighty warrior who can never be seen cuddling (only under the cover cuddles are allowed). He loves tormenting his baby sister, the dog, and long naps in the sun. In pure cat fashion, he wants to be around you all the time but only touched on his terms.

A tricolor beagle with soft, floppy ears rests her head on a pink satin pillow.

Luna is a very empathetic dog. If you say, “ow!” she’ll come running to check in and make sure you’re okay. She’ll even check in on her brother, the cat, if he accidently gets his tailed stepped on and expressed loud discontent. She’s the goofiest of goofballs, acting silly between naps. Playing fetch and barking at every little noise are her favorite activities.