Turtle

I took "the kids" to the dentist's office today. It's been two years since our last visit. And the Waiting Room was closed (COVID protocol), so I just dropped them off and then went outside to wait. 

While waiting, I decided I might as well get some steps in, so I started walking around the parking lot, then crossed over to the adjacent St. Margaret Mary's parking lot. When I got to the back of that lot, I saw something moving very slowly. Got closer, and it was a turtle. It looked like he was heading for the grassy area that surrounded the lot.

But I guess he freaked out when he saw me, because he pulled his head and legs into his shell and tried to pretend he didn't exist. I checked him out, then started to walk away.

I was thinking that as soon as I got clear of him he'd resume his journey. But when I looked back, he was still sitting there. I started to worry. There wasn't any traffic at the moment, but sure as shit cars would come by eventually. We were right next to the lot's back exit. And I didn't think there was any way someone in a car would be able to tell that this was a turtle and not a bunch of dead leaves... especially as there were more than a few dead leaves right in that area. I walked around, keeping an eye on the turtle. He didn't move.

So I finally went back up to him. He poked his head out, looked at me, then pulled his head back in. He clearly wasn't going anywhere. 

I'm more than a little bit squeamish about touching animals. Especially if they are not my cat. But I kept thinking, The only way this turtle is going to get out of danger is if I pick him up and carry him over to the grass. 

I looked at him again. I tried to ESP him into moving.

Nope.

So I took a breath, walked over, picked him up, and carried him to the grass area.

Poor little guy.

Hope he makes it home alright.