The Time for Turtles
Turtle Hospital in Marathon
Psalm 34:14, "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."
Turtles have always fascinated me and a few years ago when I was the guest speaker at the Chapel Field Christian Academy in Pine Bush, I encountered a turtle crossing the road. Actually, he (or she) was paused on a very busy roadway. I pulled over to lend a helping hand. Problem with turtles is that they do not comprehend helping hands and assume danger when a short girl is running up upon them suddenly. That turtle reared his head about two feet out of his shell and proceeded to snap away at me, scaring the dickens out of me. I incorporated it into my speech for the students at Chapel Field that day. I told them, "Not everyone is going to realize when you are trying to be nice. Being nice can put you in a dangerous situation sometimes." Then I asked them if anyone knew why the turtle crossed the road.
There is a hospital in Marathon, Florida that is devoted to turtles. Since 1986, they have successfully treated and released over 1000 Sea Turtles. Recently, they encountered a Loggerhead turtle named Sara who was found with a spear stuck in her head.
You can see Sara here.
CNN called the turtle, "The Lucky Loggerhead" because Sara beat the odds. The spear had pierced her in a dangerous position and the doctors at the Turtle Hospital said, "A quarter of an inch in either direction would have certainly meant death."
Before we go any further and in case you didn't watch the video above, Sara survives.
The 12-year old turtle who began to eat on her own was deemed healthy enough to be released into the Florida Keys once again. People gathered to watch the release and Sara swam away, not looking back once. I'll give you a second chance to watch the emotional release here.
If turtles could speak, I wonder what Sara would be thinking?
A human being speared her.
A human being saved her.
She must be thinking, are these people good or are they evil?
I would tell her, "The world has a little of both."
Sources:
Published by Michele Starkey
Optimist who enjoys writing, laughing and spreading good news. If I have but one life to live, I hope to make mine memorable. My epitaph will read: she lived, she loved, she left. View profile
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49 Comments
Post a CommentWhat a charming piece. It brightened up my day.
Sounds great
Another lovely animal friendly article, Michele - as always. Not on AC much these days, but I haven't forgotten your kindness. Mum's doing well, considering, but money issues looming...
The turtle probably would respond, "I know"
I like the way you pulled this article together and ended on a philosophical tone. Good read! rcj
Great article.
Great article and pictures!
Wow, great article and photo!! :-)
Turtle Hospital in Marathon..good for them helping!
My mom use to scare me to death, stopping in the middle of a busy highway to move a turtle. Now I do the same :-)