Pet Advice - Other Pets: My First Turtle
by Shawnee Bowlin
FeedTheVillage.com - Other Pets: My First Turtle
I remember being a small child in First grade and finding a turtle about the size of a baby's hand in a muddy Louisiana ditch. It was so exciting to me to capture this poor creature and put it in an empty coffee can. I took the can to school, of course, for show-and-tell. Yes, I did at least put water in the can, and a rock. This turtle was the star of the day. For once, the other kids were actually interested in something I possessed. It was great. I was proud of my new pet for bringing me stardom for a day! As the day wore on, the coffee can began to smell a bit stinky. By the end of the day, the stench was terrible. My turtle no longer attracted curious onlookers. Now it drove them away. They gagged as they left. I had to ride the school bus home to my grandma's house. I felt trapped by my new friend. How in the world could I even get on the bus with this smelly coffee can! So, I panicked and set my poor turtle friend's can down on the concrete while the teachers weren't looking and no kids were paying attention to me. I snuck back to the bus line and abandoned the turtle. That day was not only my first and last day of instant popularity, it was also my first real memory of a conscience. I actually made myself ill because I knew that I had taken that turtle prisoner then left him to whatever fate would befall him once someone discovered him. All I could do was hope that the person would be kind enough to let him go without further harm and before it was too late. I never saw the turtle again, and I never tried to capture one for show-and-tell again. I felt horrible inside. So much for my great find and my new pet!
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