Tripod the Turtle: It's Good to Be a Hero III (...for the 3rd time.)

If you've taken a moment to visit our Blog, in the past, you are well aware that Amanda & I have an affection for all living creatures. One little guy - in particular - has reaped the rewards of our good nature for over two years, now. Tripod the Turtle (See Older Post from Ocbtober 2008: Tripod the Turtle) has been a regular visitor of ours, since he caught Amanda's eye, while she was feeding bread to a family of ducks.

My first encounter with Tripod was when a 7 year old neighbor of ours had him hooked on his fishing line. After rescuing the turtle from an uncertain fate, Amanda asked, "Did he have only 3 legs?" I said, "As a matter of fact, yes." She said, "That's my turtle!" Little did I know that this would not be the only time I would be called upon to come to his rescue.

Months later, I look out our kitchen window on a Saturday morning to discover a - yet - unrecognizable creature struggling along the bank of the lake. I take my bike, and ride over to the opposite side to find...Tripod. The poor guy is upside down, and can't right himself no matter how hard he tries. Surely, with the day's Florida heat, he never would have survived. So, once again, I've come to his rescue.

That brings us forward, another year, to last weekend...

Amanda takes Tether out around 7 AM on a Saturday, and bursts back into the house shouting, "Come quick! Tripod's stuck in the well!!!

Now...I'm still in bed...and, we have no "well..."

Turns out, Tripod had gotten himself trapped in the same storm drain at the end of our driveway, as a baby duck once did, many stories ago. (See Older Post from October 2008: It's Good to be a HERO!)

As I gatherd myself to see what was the trouble, Tether waited at the top of the stairs with great anticipation.

Once again, (if you've been following) I rake this heavy grate from atop the "well."

Sure enough, there's Tripod.

How this guy knew to splash around - sending out a distress signal to Amanda, when she passed by - I'll never understand.

Since I couldn't reach down far enough to lift him out...I had to get in there with him.

Of course,...I got him. 3rd time! 3rd time I've saved this guy's life...

He was takin' it all in. Happy to be out in the open. Happy to see Amanda.

...and, Amanda was right there to take care of him, assuming he might be hungry, after all the time spent down there.

Then, I took him over to the lake, so he could find his way back home.

"It's good to be a Hero."