Breaking the Law...One Turtle at a Time

Many of you know that I've lost my cat Sam. I've searched, called, posted, etc and he has yet to return home. I am sad but somehow at peace with it that I can't fully explain. Sam is/was 12 and while I miss him, I know that he is ok. Anywho, on with the turtle.

Saturday afternoon the boys and I were hanging out in the house while I was debating what to do with myself when Rick came in holding something and calling JT. Turns out he had found a turtle in the garage. JT quickly took possession of the turtle and found a box to place him in. I grabbed the computer and started googling what sort of turtle JT and I now had. As JT and I cruised the internet we decided that perhaps we had a Yellow Box Turtle. Oh how fortunate! JT and I read that he was an aquatic turtle and a great pet. I could barely hold back my excitement, sure a turtle is not a replacement for a warm, fuzzy, sweet cat but I've always wanted a turtle. JT and I were already discussing where we should go to get an aquarium while we filled up a tupperware container with water. We transferred our turtle to his new, temporary home. He clearly loved it as he stuck out his head and started swimming around. It was at this moment that I noticed he had a red stripe on his face. I went back to the computer. In all the photos of our beloved Yellow Box Turtle, I never saw one with a red stripe. Turns out what we had on our hands was in fact a Texas Red Ear Slider Turtle.

JT and I started reading about the RES Turtle who is native to Texas and also aquatic. We were equally excited until we started reading that baby turtles under 4 inches in diameter (yes, clearly that is our turtle) is banned in the State of Texas as a pet because they carry salmonella. I didn't read on, I probably should have but at the mention of salmonella I freaked and quickly called Rick in to action to get every one's hands and faces washed. We then loaded up our turtle in the jogger and walked him down to the park so he could live in the creek. We said our good-byes, hide the evidence in a trash can in the park, and then walked home while keeping a close eye out or Sam the cat.