Caring for, saving one box turtle

The red eyes of the “SAVE the BOX TURTLE” on Aug. 17 instantly compelled my attention. In June 1993, I thought I saw a rock in the middle of the road, however the rock moved and I stopped to see. It was a turtle washed in by a terrible rainstorm. I picked it up, brought it home, put it in a wash tub, gave it lettuce, tomatoes and water and left for work.

When I came home the food was still there. I knew the turtle was sick. Thus, I found an exotic pet doctor in Bellwood. Dr. Rich Nye (former Cubs pitcher) knew exactly that he was a male and he had a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Thus, I was instructed to deliver to him daily shots (which the turtle did not like).

I named the male turtle Noah because he came with the flood. However, the turtle would not eat vegetarian food. I took a chance and gave him ground meat disguised as worms. I told him if he did no eat this, he would die. Noah ate this every day for 10 years and loved exercising outside.

Then one day he told me he wanted to be set free. So I took him to a big pond and set him free to swim away. Thus, I did save one box turtle.

Charles Elwert

Addison