MOOD: Amused
Somehow I knew this would happen.
I saw it in Thomas' eyes when he looked at that turtle.
I saw it in Eler Beth's eyes when she looked at that turtle.
Yesterday morning she said, "I kinda don't want to kill this one, Mom." I'd been thinking the same thing.
I said, "Well, tell Dad."
Then last night Thomas said, "I have a feeling Eler Beth doesn't want to kill and eat this one."
I said, "I was thinking the same thing. To tell the truth, I kind of hate to. He's obviously lived a long time."
"Yeah," he said, thoughtfully. "And you know, it's an older one, you'd have to cook it longer."
And I thought, Yeah, you old softie!
Then he admitted, "To tell you the truth, I'm having a hard time thinking of killing this one, too."
So this morning he asked Eler Beth if she'd rather just let it go and assured her that it would be okay either way; it was her decision. Then he made some calls to try to find a place to take it. If he takes it back to the pond where they caught it, it'll just get caught again. But if we knew of someone with an old farm with a pond -- someone who wouldn't have to worry about it eating baby ducks, and who doesn't care if it eats all the fish in the pond -- then that would be the perfect place to take him.
Eler Beth took pictures yesterday, so I'm sure she'll be posting them soon. A friend told us that he'd heard that they grow about a pound a year, and that's how you could tell how old they are. So if he weighs 50 pounds, he's about 50 years old. I don't know if that's true, or not, but it's interesting.
*Thomas heard a story of a man who caught a snapping turtle once and left it in his garage overnight. The turtle had still been in a state of hibernation when the guy caught him; the weather was still pretty cold. Well at some point the turtle warmed up in that heated garage and in the morning the guy heard his dog, who slept in the garge, barking like crazy. He went out there to find that the turtle had the dog treed on top of the car!
11 comments:
Aww I love this story. I sure hope you find the perfect pond. Has she named the turtle? Paula
Don't name that turtle unless you want to keep it!
I think it is sweet that she wants to let it go. I'm
sure there will be others to eat. My neighbor, 40
years ago, caught them. The meat looked so good,
but I never could bring myself to eat it. She cooked
long, lean strips that fried up looking like chicken,
and they are probably cleaner than chickens. Good
luck on finding the perfect pond for him. Pat
I was telling your daughter my kids and I found one 2 times so far, 2 yrs ago and just this pass spring! I posted pictures in my J a while back and can send them to you e-mail too!
HE is BIG!!!! can't wait to see pictures of your turtle.
Sharon
I love that the whole family wants to keep this turtle alive. That is the sweetest thing. I hope you find a good place to put it where it can live out it's life in peace.
Hugs, Joyce
I didn't know you could eat turtles, it is not something we do in the UK.
Jenny <><
I'm glad to know the old man is going to live on!
Traci
I had a SMALL one bite my German Shepherd on the nose when she just smelled of it. I killed it. They are mean just by nature. lol Hope you find some place to take it. Blessings, Janie
I think that's just great! I say go ahead and name him, and hopefully you'll find him a wonderful new home. Sorry, I dont' have any ideas on that.
:) Leigh
I am such a softy I wonder how I manage to eat any meat at all oh I know I go to wal-mart and keep my animals for pets lol
hugs
Sherry
You're all softies.... lucky turtle... LOL!!! Cute Story!!!
Joann
Oh my snapping turtles sound................well I don't know what to say to that lol. Hope you manage to find a place for it and I'm sure you did the right thing x
Jenny
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