And we named him "Tuttle"

As my mom, Trace and I are at Hobby Lobby getting last minute rehearsal dinner things, Jimmy calls to tell me he is bringing home a box turtle. Apparently, my animal loving husband saved him from pending doom as the poor turtle was trying to cross 5 lanes of traffic on Highway 58. Of course, the thought of Jimmy running across 5 lanes of traffic in order to save a turtle we barely know was a little unsettling, but that's why I love him!

While we were checking out (and still discussing the turtle), the cashier overhears us and made the comment that box turtles carry salmonella so be sure and wash Trace's hands after he touches it.

Oh boy... Nana heard that!

Fortunately, my dear hubby, who after nearly 6 years of marriage instinctively knew what my mom would say, had already Googled "box turtles" and learned that they in fact do NOT carry salmonella, another kind of turtle does.

Does he know Nana well or what?

So, we get home and Trace is loving his new "pet". He kept saying, "Hey tuttle, how you... how you doing, tuttle?" We tried to explain that we need to give him a name. "You know mommy's name is Heidi and daddy's name is Jimmy... what is your turtles name?" Yep, all we got was "tuttle". They bonded instantly...

He pet him gently...
offered him part of his popsicle (awww, he's learning to share)...
tried to coax it out of his shell...
even introduced him to Ginger...

and then... we lost him.

We might possibly have set the world record for the shortest "family pet life" in history (about 45 minutes total). One second we are all playing in the yard, we turn our backs for a few minutes and the turtle is gone. How sad, we can't even keep up with a pet that moves 1.2 M.P.H.

We have talked many times about getting 2 outside dogs, but apparently, one child and one dog are all we are capable of right now.

Jimmy looked everywhere... in the grass, in the woods, under the deck. I mean, seriously, how far could he have gone? Of course, he probably took one look at our dog and toddler and figured he'd take his chances on the open road. He's probably halfway back to Hwy. 58 by now!

Oh well, so long tuttle... it was nice while it lasted!