The Mowery Family

When I was we little and we lived in VA, my brother found a turtle in the ravine behind our house. Since he was WAY into his "Ranger Rick" magazine, he convinced my folks that he could care for "Nicky Turtle". He did, for a good 4 years.

During these years, Nicky was a valued member of our family. She was three legged as somehow she lost one of her rear legs in a circumstance we never knew. My brother epoxyed a hook to her shell, and she was kept on a lease outside during the day, where she was free to wander, and occasionally taken for walks. She survived a move to michigan, and was successfully put into hibernation 2 winters. The third winter came quickly and she was not put into hibernation fast enough and got pneumonia and died. That was a sad time for the family. Nicky was given a full Roman Catholic burial in our garden that would have rivaled the pope's with all the pomp and circumstance. After she was gone, we all swore we could hear her at night, her step-step-step-thud.

Nicky was better than a dog. She loved scrambled eggs and lettuce. I should talk to my brother - now I want a turtle - but only if it could be like Nicky.

Karen Mowery


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