We call him Snappy...

So I'm standing in my kitchen a couple of weeks ago, trying desperately to figure out what to make for dinner, when the kids burst through the door with reports of a turtle in our driveway. I think to myself..."Isn't that great? My kids are out enjoying this beautiful spring day and doing what kids should be doing...catching bugs and frogs and..." WHOA!!! When they said "turtle", they might have issued an understatement! I think they left out a few details, eh?

Okay, he's twice the size of my son's HEAD!

What we have here, folks, is a good old-fashioned Indiana snapping turtle who was none too pleased to be removed from his natural habitat! Apparently, he was spotted in the creek by a couple of the older boys in our neighborhood. My son, being the good neighbor that he is, offered up his Grandpa Bob's old fishing net to catch the poor fellow, and the next thing you know, there was a giant SNAPPING turtle in my driveway. Did I mention that he wasn't too happy about it? The turtle, that is. The boys were in hog...or should I say "turtle"... heaven. Caroline was pitching a fit because Abby wouldn't let her pet it. And I was horrified to hear it practically hiss at us. Being the responsible adult that I am, I immediately ordered the kids to take it back to the creek. Right after I told them to wait while I grabbed my camera.

I believe there was more than one "can we keep him" from Mickey. After all, he had a name already..."I call him Snappy, Mom." What, have they been meeting for lunch? Fearing that he might just break the old fishing net, I suggested we use the wagon to transport "Snappy" back to the creek and provided my services as escort, just to make sure "Snappy" didn't make any detours. He gave us one very unpleasant scowl before plunging into the creek, and then he went to warn all his snappy friends. And I know they exist. Last year, one of the neighbor boys found one in his basement well. Jon had the unenviable task of being the only grown-up around and, by default, responsible for returning him to his home. That one had a bad eye. Which means there's definitely more than one living in that creek. I don't think you'll catch me putting a toe in THAT water...ever!