Turtle Torture

Our neighbor found a turtle on her driveway today. That's not terribly surprising, as we do have a river surrounding our neighborhood and a stream that runs through it (when we're not having a drought!). This poor turtle was the talk of the cul-de-sac today, and apparently the object of wonder, amazement and torture!

At dinner, we heard allll about it!!

Em: A found a turtle in her driveway today!

Daddy: A real turtle?

Em & Kt: Yes, and we made him a fort with those rocks outside.

Daddy: Did you touch the turtle?

Em: Yes.

Daddy: Go wash your hands!

Me: Kt, did you wash your hands?

Kt: I used hand sanitizer.

(Despite the fact that they've heard this a thousand times - and every night at dinner - I reminded her that that wasn't enough when they had dirt all over them! and turtle germs!!)

Me: Go wash your hands.

Em: What? We washed the turtle today in hand sanitizer and a sponge!

(I'm wondering who supervised this???)

Daddy: Well, that turtle's not going to live very long!

Em: Sure he will. I dropped him and he lived. I'm sure he'll be fine!

Apparently, this poor, tortured turtle was "set free" in the woods by the park, nice and sparkling clean. Em said she almost cried when they left him. I'm sure he was crying out of relief!