Sad News...

Samantha is gone. Monday (July 11, 2007) I left the house with the girls, and Samantha was in her little garden space outside. When we came back 3 hours later, she was gone. The girls were devastated. We immediately searched around the grounds and under all the bushes, but we did not find Samantha. We were not sure if she had climbed on the plants and out over the fence or if somebody had taken her.

We continued looking for her throughout the day and even the next day. TJ printed some fliers to post up in hopes that if somebody had taken it (like another child) then she might be returned.

A few days later we got a call from the Apartment Manager saying that someone had picked up a turtle and thought it might be ours. TJ and I were very nervous and also very excited. We immediately went over to where the lady was, and at first look we thought it was really Samantha--but at second look it was obvious that it was not the same turtle. The lady said that we could keep it anyway because she did not know how to take care of turtles. We brought the turtle home and told the girls. They were sad that it was not Samantha, but they were also happy that they had a turtle again.

We put the turtle outside in the little fenced garden, gave the turtle food and water, and said goodnight. The next morning the girls went out to see the turtle. She seemed to be doing fine, so they came back inside. About 3o minutes later, they went back outside again, but this time the turtle was gone. Apparently, she climbed out. I believe it was because of the hot sun--there really wasn't enough shade to keep the turtle cool.

Even though the turtle was gone, we were happy to confirm that a turtle could actually climb over the fence. We knew that she would be okay if she had crawled out vs. someone taking her. There is a creek behind the apartments and lots of wild animals live there. Perhaps Samantha was ready to find a boyfriend. Even though we are not for sure WHY she left, we know that she will be okay. We told the girls that we would need to wait until we have a back yard again before we get another turtle.

In the meantime, Samantha will always be our special turtle. Live long and well, Samantha!

--Heidi