Zim the turtle

Colette called me at work Monday, she asked "what do you feed a turtle?" Somewhat bewildered I asked "did you buy a turtle?" I knew she was going to Target to do some shopping, buy diapers etc., but I didn't think that Target sold turtles. She said that as she was driving down EP True, they passed a poor little turtle trying to cross the four land road. She drove home, picked up the recycle bin and turned around to go back and pick up the turtle. After getting the turtle home, she placed him in the swimming pool, put some water and a rock in the pool. And voila we are the proud new owners of a pet turtle.

I was a bit concerned though, most turtles in Iowa are alligator snapping turtles and I could easily see Brayton sticking his hands too close to the turtle and getting bit. This would obviouslly require a trip to the emergency room for some stiches and whatever else goes along with a turtle bite (I don't know if they get rabies). Zim later turned out to be a painted box turtle, relatively harmless to my relief.

Later in the day, Brayton (when prompted by Colette) named the turtle "Zim." Where he came up with this name I have no idea. Zim was a part of our family for two whole days.

Knowing I did not want to explain why Zim died to a two year old, I decided Zim had to go back to Jordan Creek where he came from. I started to prep Brayton for Zim's departure that night when I got home from work. We had a picnic outside next to the pool, Lauren was just as interested in Zim as Brayton was. After the picnic, while swinging on the swings, I told Brayton that Zim likely missed his own Mommy and Daddy and that we should let him go home. Brayton was obviously attached to Zim by this time and protested, Zim should stay with us. That night, when I put Brayton to bed I again explained that Zim missed his family and needed to go home.

Zim survived that night in the swimming pool, and Brayton had a ball playing around the pool and observing his new friend. I could tell Zim meant alot to him, not unlike any pet would mean to a two year old. Lauren also just seemed to love to sit there and watch Zim. That night after putting Lauren to bed (Colette put Brayton to bed) I took Zim back to Jordan Creek. When I put Zim on the bank, he was all pulled up in his shell. After a few seconds, he extended his head and seemed to look up at me as if to say "you're letting me go?" Then in a flash he pushed off into the water never to be seen again.

The next morning, Colette told me that the first words out of Brayton's mouth were "I want to see my turtle, I want to see Zim." Once again she had to explain that Zim had gone to see his family and would not be back. Brayton then promptly told Colette to "bring Zim's mommy and daddy here, put them in the pool." My, how a child's mind works. We are already amazed at how Brayton can analyze a situation and come up with alternatives that meet his needs. I am sure this will cause us some stress in the years to come.

The happy ending to this story is that it was not overly devastating to Brayton, and Zim ended up back home in Jordan Creek (where he belongs).

Actual date of this video is May 19th, 2008.