Saturday, May 3, 2014

The Roadside Rescue

Off to an early start this morning so I could spend the day at home.
~Part of the gang this evening~ 
As I was rounding the last corner for home, I saw a turtle on the side of the road.  It was on its back in the full sun and was looking pretty toasted.  I thought it was probably dead, but since it's my habit to always stop for turtles, that was what I did. It was just a young snapping turtle about the size of my hand.  Its neck was stretched out and to the side and his little claws were all curled in and motionless. Of course I couldn't help but feel a little sad and sorry for the poor thing.
~Our road yesterday afternoon~
I'll admit that I'm a little wary of snapping turtles, so I nudged him with my foot to make sure he was dead, and he didn't move. Feeling confident that he couldn't hurt me, I decided that I should at least get him off the road, and when I picked him up, I noticed his little claw move, like a weak wave for help -- He was alive!!  I took him over to the nearby pond and with an empty soda-cup from my van, I splashed him with water, all the while telling him that I thought he was going to be alright. All four of his legs started to slowly move and eventually he moved his head, pulling it back inside his shell.  I closely checked his shell and it was completely intact, with no cracks or chips, he was just fine. I figured he must have wandered out of the pond and onto the road and had probably got knocked over on his back by a car and couldn't get flipped back over again. After several minutes, we said our good-byes by the edge of the pond, but not before I wished him good luck and warned him to stay off the road. I'm glad I was able to save the little turtles life, but I'm especially glad that he didn't bite the hand that fed saved him!

40 comments:

  1. Brave girl, and fancy having a cup handy, and a pond right there, I'm sure he is so grateful for all your help. Cheers, Jean.

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  2. Kim...you are definitely a life-saver! How fortunate for the turtle that you found him...and fortunate for you...because Mr. Turtle knew you were assisting him! Have a great weekend. I have been away for a month so trying to play catch up! Xo

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  3. Oh...you are a 10!!!!!! A perfect10!!!!! Thank god for people like you !!!

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  4. We live near a lake, so we often find turtles on the road. You have to be careful when you're saving them though. When they're scared they release a smelly gas!!! Gross!!

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  5. That is one of the simplest, nicest stories I have read in a long time! Thank you so much for saving that poor young turtle! One of my old fishing holes had snapping turtles in the stream. I got snapped but good quite a few times! LOL It's the little things though, and Karma will reward you! :)

    Katie in NJ

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  6. You are a true animal lover and I'm happy that you saved its life! :)

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  7. That's a lovely story!

    XXXOOO Bella & Roxy

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  8. Kim,
    That was one lucky turtle. Of course I knew you would stop and recuse him.
    So glad all turned out well for you and of course the turtle.
    Have a wonderful weekend with the crew.

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  9. You are so nice to stop and rescue the turtle.. I am happy he was Ok, it would be nice if they did not go across the roads. Have a happy day!

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  10. Good for you! I carry a small plastic snow shovel in my car all the time to push those snappers out of the road. Before they get hit, hopefully.

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  11. you were so sweet to save him!

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  12. It is so great that you took the time to save him!

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  13. Your kindness knows no bounds, Kim, he was one lucky turtle!

    Cheers,
    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  14. I knew you were an Angel, you are the sweetest. I would have done the same though, always willing to help a animal. So happy the turtle was alive, you made my morning that much happier, Hugs Francine.

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  15. My peep would have done the same thing.

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  16. Thank you for rescuing the turtle. They are becoming few and far between in our area of the state from what I have read about them.

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  17. It was fortunate for you both that it was still alive. I'm sure he was breathing a sigh of relief for the transport.

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  18. Aww - poor little turtle! So happy you were able to save him and return him to the pond. Hopefully he will warn all his friends of the danger of venturing too close to that highway!!
    xo Catherine

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  19. yay Kim! you saved his life!
    love
    tweedles

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  20. :-D
    Well done, Kim. Hubby is like that with snakes... Now that he's (not admitting to) slowing down a bit, I'd as soon he not do that any more.
    Have a wonderful week. ♥

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  21. Nice job Kim. I'm sure he is happy you happened by !
    I think it was a bit of a turtle /tortoise Sunday :)

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  22. Very sweet. Turtles have a special place in my heart. I hope he listens to your advice!! :)

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  23. Nice save, Kim. I always try to stop and carry them across as well.

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  24. O we all need a little help from time teu time... and what a lucky guy teu have yeu come when yeu did! Yeu are such a good Friend!

    wif MUCH lubbs from Little Reufus

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  25. Definitely would not be you if you did not help the helpless turtle. I bet your day was much nicer and you felt alot better after you rescued it. I really don't think I have ever seen one on the road, if not I am sure to help it. Why not.
    Thanks for sharing and hope you have a wonderful week. Ana

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  26. You also have to watch and not get your nose to close to them. Love the picture with all the kids on the porch.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  27. Glad the dogs were not close! They can get cranky!!!!...:)JP

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  28. Hello Kim!

    I'm stopping for the first time in forever...What a lovely story and what a lovely thing you did, saving that turtle! I'm also wary of snapping turtles, but in situations like that I'm pretty sure they know why we're there and don't try to bite! I have a friend who does wildlife rescues and she has never once been bitten by a snapping turtle she has saved :)

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  29. So glad you were able to save that turtle!!! I stopped and picked up an unconscious squirrel that revived in my car while I was driving it to the Pet emergency...haha, he was running around in the car and finally found sanctuary in the dash. Had to park the car and leave the door open for an hour for him to come out!

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  30. One lucky turtle I'd say! I'd probably sniff s/he and head for the hills!!

    LOL

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  31. Not just the saviour of the Golden ones! x

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  32. oh god bless you!
    i turn turtles back over too. actually i move them if they're starting across the road. once i passed one and pulled over to go back and get him and before i could even get a few steps back ... a pickup truck went out of its way to SMASH him to bits. i just stood there and cried.
    why on earth would someone want to kill something so dear and so slow?
    i'm so glad i know you.

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  33. What a wonderful story. You saved his life, and I am so happy about it!

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  34. Oh darling, you get a gold star in heaven for that.

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  35. Oh Kim, you are such a kind and generous soul.

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  36. We always stop for turtles, too. Several have ridden home with us to be released near the stream. Last night we saw our first toad of the season. Rob held Sydney and Mac back while I relocated him to a safe spot.

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  37. Wonderful story and wonderful ending! Also love the gang on their porch and what a beautiful drive!

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!