Turtle Rescue

For some reason a lot of people think that taking a turtle out of the wild and putting it in a cage is "rescuing" it. I promise you, the  turtle crossing the road did not need to be rescued. He was just fine. His new "owners" then think that turtle care is easy. They throw it a cricket and think everything will be just fine. It does not work that way.

They need special lighting, special heating, special cages, and special food.  They were not meant to be in a little aquarium. They need space to roam and dig and hunt and swim.  Basically they need to be a turtle. So come winter, when they should be getting ready to hibernate, the poor turtles are starved down, have vitamin deficiencies, and many other medical problems. They are too weak to be released. That is when I get them. After the fun has worn off and the animal is about to die.

This year I have four box turtles. All of them were "RESCUED" from the wild. I still don't understand that.

One is very small, probably only three years old, and was kept in a shoe box on some one's desk. They gave him lettuce to eat and sometimes water to drink. (Box turtles don't like lettuce.) He  was so weak when I first got him that I was afraid he would die.  He wouldn't open his eyes. He wouldn't walk around his new box. He just sat there.

Eating a Strawberry and Meal Worm Salad.

I have had him for about four months. He is still very underweight and is not a great eater, but I am sure that I will be able to release him in a couple of months.

Number two and three are both pretty healthy. They were underweight and dehydrated by the time I got them. They are both looking great after a soak and a few good meals. They will have no problem returning to the wild.

 

Turtle Four is my special baby. I thought I was going to loose him several times. He came to me 4 months after he was taken from the wild. He was so sick. I spent three months working on his eye infections. Every time I thought he was better they came back. One eye was so infected that I could not get the puss cap out of his eye. Finally I was able to remove a dried down cap of puss the size of a pencil eraser. He now has his vision back and is a mean little thing. He tries to bite me every day and will chase me if given the chance.

I will miss him. He has been such a challenge and I love his spirit.

 

I know they are just four little turtles and saving them will not change the world, but for them, the world is a better place. Once spring is here and the nights are warm, my four little rescues will get returned to the wild. I will take them to a place that is far from people and has everything a little turtle could ever want. I will undo what other people did to them. They will be free once more. 

57 Days.......

That is all I have until David is gone for the rest of the year.

57 Days.

Our time is going way to fast. It just hit me today that he will really be gone. I will have the boys, and the house, and the garden all to myself for the rest of the year. He *Might* be home for Christmas but I am not holding my breath. Everyone is having deployment problems right now. Why would we be any different?

So, as of today, I am putting my big girl panties on. I am making my To DO lists and getting things done. I don't have anymore time - I can not live in denial any more.

57 Days........

Harvest Monday - February 18, 2013

I am so excited to get to participate in Harvest Monday. Be sure to go to  Daphne's Dandelions to see what others are harvesting!

 

Alex helped me pull a few carrots for our Pot Roast this week. Some of our carrots are still pretty small but it is great to have anything from the garden in February. 

 



4.78 oz.

Snowstorm and Birds

Our snow started at 7:30 and within a few minutes we were white. I love the snow and everyone knows that we need the moisture. The little birds that visit my yard every morning did not let the snow stop them from eating breakfast. It is hard to tell in these photos, but they all have red breasts and tails. I don't know what kind they are but they are very pretty. I have decided that I need a better camera and a bird ID book. 

 

Christmas Cactus

When I walked into the kitchen today I was greeted by this beautiful flower. It was a welcomed surprise. I am a little confused though....I am pretty sure when I bought this plant two years ago it had red flowers.  I am not complaining. I will take any flower I can get in February!

Hello Again....

I can not believe that it is already February. It feels like I just pulled out the last of the plants and spread out the mulch. We are starting to get ready for spring. The onions are growing under their lights and the plan for the garden is ready. It should be a great year for us.

We are going to have a few struggles this year. David will deploy in April. I am not looking forward to it but I know this is just part of our life. He should be home before Christmas so it isn't all bad. Dallas still wants to play sports (football and baseball) and his practice/game schedule will be challenging for me to handle alone. Alex is sweet, wonderful Alex. He is 3 now and loves to 'help' Mommy. We have lost a few plants this winter due to his over helpfulness.

I did successfully grow Carrots, Spinach, and Lettuce this winter and will post pictures of them soon. I should be able to harvest Carrots this week - So I will get to do a Harvest Monday soon!

It is great to be back on my blog and I hope to catch up with everyone soon!