My friend Mojave
By raydene
@raydene (9871)
United States
June 8, 2007 9:10am CST
30+ years ago I was living outside Lancaster,California deep in the desert.I had a 9 mile drive to get to Lancaster and would often see wildlife dead in the road.
One day while heading into town I saw an injured desert tortoise in the road.I stopped to see what I could do.His shell was broken and you could see into his insides.I opened my trunk and got out my duct tape (100 mile an hour take as the guys at Edwards Air Force base called it).
I held the shell tightly together and laid a strip of tape down the crack.I had a laundry basket in the trunk with some odd peices of wood that I had picked up to put in some art work.I dumped it and put the tortoise in the basket in my back seat.
That was the day I met Mojave.
Mojave came to live in our back yard.We had a large back yard with a cement block fence . There was a gate that opened out into the desert. Mohave made himself to home. He was the greatest guy. All thye kids loved him and we had so much fun with him!I had figured he would be dead when we woke up the next morning but he surprised us . He survived and became a fun part of our family for a few years. When I left California Mohave went to live with a good friend and is living today.He is quite distinctive with a ridge down the middle of his shell where it grew together.
When I found him he was maybe 6-8 inches long..Now he is 14inches wide and 17 inches long.
Moral of the story is if you are handed an opportunity to help someone or thing do so because the help you give may in the end turn out to be a blessing to you.
6 people like this
12 responses
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
8 Jun 07
Tis truth that you speak. I am glad that you allowed this turtle to continue to live and be part of this time period. Balance is important and I feel that you did a fine thing. Thanks for sharing this shining example of helping when you have the smallest ability to do so.
3 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
10 Jun 07
Try this one then. Not sure what is going on since others have said they have troubles too. Others have not a care and do their thing and help. Oh well here it is again and hopefully you can do it this time.. http://willowlady.blogspot.com/
2 people like this
@weemam (13372)
•
9 Jun 07
You are such a sweet and caring person sis and that is why so many people love you , what a lovely thing to do ,
I have used duct tape for many a job and I have fixed many an odd thing but never a tortoise ,
It must be brilliant where you live like a female DR Doolittle lol ,
You must have some brilliant stories to tell your grandchildren my friend ,
I myself would never tire of listening to them xxxx
2 people like this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Well you better not say that because I just might tell another.You always say the nicest things To everybody.You are the Sweetie of this site.My Dr.Doolittle days are few these days but I did try to save a small painted turtle recently that didn't make it.He was pretty bad but did live 4 days...We buried him duct tape and all...
Hugs
Sis
1 person likes this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Sweets my great grandmother 7 generations back was the daughter of a very wise Native American Indian man. My Da told me that I was given the gift to hear our mother around us and everything living here. If you just do and don't think it works out...But there have many that I couldn't save but sat with them and said good bye...I contribute my connection to animals from my native blood.
Love Ya Doll
Mom
2 people like this
@OURDEW (4809)
• United States
8 Jun 07
That was a very sweet story. The cat that I have, I found as a kitten. Or should I say he found me. He followed me home one hot afternoon as I was walking home from the store. He was so cute he followed me all the way home into my yard. He was dirty and hungry. I still have him 2 1/2 years later. He is still a very sweet cat.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
8 Jun 07
What a great story to tell about an animal. I am glad his shell grew back together. We need to be compassionate to anyone or anything who needs help. He grew up huge, all because of you.It feels good to be good, and be helpful, and you gave joy, and important conservation lessons to all the kids who enjoyed Mojave. You are blessing us now with this story, too. A little turtle, a lot of love.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
9 Jun 07
A very nice little story. I am happy you could save him like that.
2 people like this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
12 Jun 07
Wow! Amazing, I didn't think he would survive when you described his condition and he was so small, I am surprised you saw him. I found a rook that had flown into a building and broken its beak. I took it to the vet to see if there was anything that could be done. At first they were talking about just putting it down but when I made clear I would pay for the treatment they made a repair using plastic padding (Epoxy based car body filler) After a little while I was able to release him into the wild.
all the best urban
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
10 Jun 07
This sounds like a fairy tale to me, raydene. The tortise or turtle has always been equated with long life and saving it, I believe is definitely turning out a blessing. Anyway, I am a fan of fables, and I believe in one good turn deserves another, from Aesop's fables - the Lion and the mouse.
1 person likes this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
12 Jun 07
Hi Raydene, my apologies if I sounded like you made it up. I don't mean that. You are sure to be blessed to have saved the tortise. Woodpigeon is right in his interpretation of my response. Thanks woodpigeon for explaining my thoughts. Happy Day!
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
11 Jun 07
I think (pardon me for butting in) that the comment is meant in a good way, as in fairy tales having happy endings, and Mojave was blessed to enter into your story? It is clearly a factual event, I just think maybe tortoises are symbolic of many things, which is why it is so cool that you found Mojave and it turned out to be such a happy ending? Sorry if I am getting it wrong, whyaskq and raydene.
3 people like this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
11 Jun 07
What a kind soul you are! Mojave was very lucky that it was you who drove by that day! How long did it take for the poor guy's shell to knit, is it like a broken bone?
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
12 Jun 07
Wow, I had no idea the shells broke or could be knitted back together. I have certainly picked up a lot of jewels of information here at Mylot!
