We Rescued a Turtle

Boy oh boy, is my Dad great or what? Yesterday afternoon, we were out walking along the main road in our development when all of a sudden ahead of us I saw this large slow-moving blob. It was about twice the size of my head, I think. I started to go over to it when my Dad said, no Jakey, sit, that's a turtle who looks like he's lost. He's definitely going in the opposite direction from the nearby lake.

I was on my long flexible leash, so Dad pulled me in. Then he realized this was a two-handed job and one hand was occupied holding my leash. What to do? Could I help? Well, Dad decided my paws weren't strong enough to help carry (although that would have been a sight) -- but if I would be still and just follow along as he picked up the turtle and took him back to the lake, that would be a really big help.

So that's what we did. He picked up the turtle with both hands and I followed along to reassure the turtle that he'd be fine. From time to time, the turtle would pop his head out to see what was going on, but when he saw me looking at him, he popped it right back in. And as we walked along, he kept discharging lots of what Dad called "ballast water," so we left quite a trail.

When we got to the lake, which is where the Muscovy ducks in our development like to hang out, we caused some commotion. Lots of fluttering feathers. Dad put the turtle on the bank, about ten feet from the water, and off he went, down the bank and into the water.

Dad and I walked back home, really happy about our Sunday "mitzvah."

Jake