We found a turtle on Thursday.
My older daughter and I took the dogs for a walk and my husband joined us. We did one of our usual rounds, taking us westward down our street onto a greenbelt jogging trail, through a small woods, and out onto a culdesac.
After we turned the corner onto another street to return home, my daughter stepped off the sidewalk to walk in the street. It was not her usual mode. A few steps later she stopped and exclaimed, "Oh! Look!" We stopped and looked.
She stopped and picked up something small beside the curb that was hidden from our view from our perspective on the sidewalk.
We peered down as she reached out her hand. There was a tiny turtle wiggling on the palm of her hand. We oohed and ahed over this cute little creature as it paddled its leglings against her skin.
"Should we take it to the pond? Should I check with some of these homeowners to see if they are missing a turtle?" she asked.
I supported the pond idea.
"But maybe we should take to S [her younger sister]. She doesn't have a pet of her own."
Many thoughts crossed my mind. Our youngest had developed epilepsy less than two years ago, at age 11, at the same season of entering puberty. Much turmoil ensued for a time. She had wanted a seizure dog if the medications didn't work, and had then wanted a ferret. Her older siblings had each a dog of their own.
I liked the take-to-sister idea. Although I liked it, I also imagined the ensuing expenses and time involved in taking in an animal. "How about if you check with the house next to us and if they say no we take it to your sister."
She checked with one homeowner who said they were not missing a turtle. But they'd be happy to take it if our other daughter didn't want it.
And so we took the turtle home. And our older daughter gave the turtle to her sister. And this daughter was ecstatic. She cradled the turtle and cooed over it and squealed like a little kid.
We found a Tupperware for it and set it up with water to swim in, rocks to rest on, and a few pieces of lettuce.
After 30 minutes, we had the turtle named and placed in its temporary habitat on the dining room table keeping her company while she was doing her homework. Our daughter looked up at us and smiled and said, "I'm happy."
My older daughter and I took the dogs for a walk and my husband joined us. We did one of our usual rounds, taking us westward down our street onto a greenbelt jogging trail, through a small woods, and out onto a culdesac.
After we turned the corner onto another street to return home, my daughter stepped off the sidewalk to walk in the street. It was not her usual mode. A few steps later she stopped and exclaimed, "Oh! Look!" We stopped and looked.
She stopped and picked up something small beside the curb that was hidden from our view from our perspective on the sidewalk.
We peered down as she reached out her hand. There was a tiny turtle wiggling on the palm of her hand. We oohed and ahed over this cute little creature as it paddled its leglings against her skin.
"Should we take it to the pond? Should I check with some of these homeowners to see if they are missing a turtle?" she asked.
I supported the pond idea.
"But maybe we should take to S [her younger sister]. She doesn't have a pet of her own."
Many thoughts crossed my mind. Our youngest had developed epilepsy less than two years ago, at age 11, at the same season of entering puberty. Much turmoil ensued for a time. She had wanted a seizure dog if the medications didn't work, and had then wanted a ferret. Her older siblings had each a dog of their own.
I liked the take-to-sister idea. Although I liked it, I also imagined the ensuing expenses and time involved in taking in an animal. "How about if you check with the house next to us and if they say no we take it to your sister."
She checked with one homeowner who said they were not missing a turtle. But they'd be happy to take it if our other daughter didn't want it.
And so we took the turtle home. And our older daughter gave the turtle to her sister. And this daughter was ecstatic. She cradled the turtle and cooed over it and squealed like a little kid.
We found a Tupperware for it and set it up with water to swim in, rocks to rest on, and a few pieces of lettuce.
After 30 minutes, we had the turtle named and placed in its temporary habitat on the dining room table keeping her company while she was doing her homework. Our daughter looked up at us and smiled and said, "I'm happy."
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