Good bye old friend

Some of you may remember my turtle Tom. I've had Tom most of my life, over 40 years. I found him, walking the street while on my way home from school. I picked him up, we put up signs, we never found his owners. He's been with us ever since.

He's a wanderer my Tom. We say he runs away, but, you know, he's a turtle. He doesn't run. He walks. Sometimes quickly. No matter. He gets where he wants to go and it doesn't take as long as you might think.

He has always escaped. Since I've had him that's been our problem. Better make sure that everything is secure because he WILL get out. Now he always comes back, but he does get out. Often. There have been times when I thought I'd seen the last of him and then, whoops! there he is again. Neighbors have returned him. My phone number is on his shell and I've had people call me. 'I've got your turtle!'

Since we moved into our new house with no backyard I sent him back to stay with my folks. True to his nature, he got out. They secured a spot in their garden area. He got out again. He was gone for a day and then they found him in the garage. Wandering around.

My mother called me today. Tom had been missing for a couple of days. She wasn't worried, he turns up. My father found him today. In the fish pond. Now he did not 'fall' in. This pond is elevated about 2 feet off the ground, maybe less. Somehow he managed to climb up the side of the pond. I'm just sick thinking about this. Turtles swim like rocks. Straight down. They don't float or make noise alerting anyone of their distress. He drowned. No one new. He's also the color of the bottom of the pond. But, who would look in there?

It's not like loosing a dog. Dogs, cats are much more connected to people. Cuddly. Turtles are not cuddly. They don't come when you call them. They don't purr or bark. But they do have personality. It's subtle. I know what he likes to eat and what he won't touch. I know when he's ready to hibernate and when he's ready to wake up. He's always the last one to bed and the first one up. He can smell the sun, we say.

So I will miss him. My Tommy. What a great turtle you were.

Lookin for the sunshine.

Mmmmm, watermelon! Tommy loves the watermelon.

Gettin a drink.

Following Mo around.

Remember this?

When he climbed up on a flower pot and couldn't get down?

He did manage to get down.
And somehow he made it up the sides of the pond.

Yes I will miss him.