[Nancy and Bubba]

I had to share this because right now my hubby and my hearts are breaking in two even though we feel we did the right thing. About 5 years ago we rescued a baby lake turtle that a hawk had gotten to. Large holes in his shell and left for dead in our boat. We brought him in, fixed his wounds and have loved him totally for these 5 years. In the meantime, we bought him a friend and then rescued another baby lake turtle that was again left for dead. Well Hobo just got too big and was being picked on by the other 2. We bought the biggest turtle tank we could, but he continued to grow and he could not turn around in it so well, he ate us out of house and home and generally looked miserable in his small quarters. SO - after many months of talking, we decided to return him to the waters he came from. We waited until feeding time yesterday when there were about 30 other turtles in the water eating and my husband gently put him in the water, sobbing the whole time and both of us wondering if we had done the right thing. We can't stop crying, looking at the tank and wishing he was there. The other 2 are also looking - we can tell. Anyways, I had to tell people who I know would not think I was crazy, but we loved the little sweet giant - he was such a wonderful pet. I'm hoping I see him this morning when I go out for the morning feeding - if not I can always pretend I did. Where we wrong? Did we do the right thing? He was not supposed to be a pet - we just wanted to take care of him, and now we have the other one we will go thru the same thing with. Gosh, I wish it didn't hurt so much - I just pray we did the right thing, as I'm sick that we should have kept him.
Swim free little Hobo - your mom and daddy love you and miss you very much.

He is the big one on the bottom - he was even bigger then this when we released him.

" target="_blank">Hobo

[Taavi's Mom]

Nancy,
It hurts so much because you are a caring person and you are compassionate in taking in an animal/bird in need of help! My heart goes out to you! I know that pain as I used to do wildlife rehab. It is both rewarding and heart breaking. I want to thank you for rescuing and helping these turtles.

Yes, I would go to the lake where you released Hobo as often as I could and put out favorite foods. This will help if he is having trouble finding enough food and also lets him know he is always welcome there for a free meal or treat! Bless you and bless little growing Hobo! Thank you and I hope that this pain will ease soon and you will be blessed by seeing Hobo enjoying his lake home and visiting you on ocassion. Live long & prosper little Hobo!

Hugs,
Jan

[Nancy and Bubba]

thanks Jan for the kind words, he was a special baby for us. We feed the turtles every day, as we live on the lake, so I'm hoping he sees them all eating and joins in. His favorite was dried shrimp. My hubby said that we should put some out there for a while in case he hasn't figured out what else to eat. We buy 60 loaves a bread a week to feed these guys and the birds. We never could get Hobo to eat bread, but maybe watching the others he will pick up on it. I looked for him this morning when I fed them, but there were so many and they all look so much a like, that I pretended I saw him and talked to him, telling him how much I loved him and missed him. I don't know how people do this rescue and release as it just hurts so much - even about a turtle.

[Taavi's Mom]

thanks Jan for the kind words, he was a special baby for us. We feed the turtles every day, as we live on the lake, so I'm hoping he sees them all eating and joins in. His favorite was dried shrimp. My hubby said that we should put some out there for a while in case he hasn't figured out what else to eat. We buy 60 loaves a bread a week to feed these guys and the birds. We never could get Hobo to eat bread, but maybe watching the others he will pick up on it. I looked for him this morning when I fed them, but there were so many and they all look so much a like, that I pretended I saw him and talked to him, telling him how much I loved him and missed him. I don't know how people do this rescue and release as it just hurts so much - even about a turtle.

It is hard and wildlife rehab does tend to have a high turnover rate and a short "career" for all but the hardiest people. I loved it but yes it was very hard to let them go knowing what they faced. It was also hard because you truly found out how cruel people can be to animals and birds. One of my biggest "pet Peeves" was the people who would pick up baby birds that were in the process of fledging or sometimes even younger bring them home for their children to watch all day and then about 11:00 PM in the evening call and say now what do I do with it! They thought it would be good for their children to see nature up close but didn't think of the poor little bird and its needs until they were ready for bed and wanted it out! Sorry, I should stay off my little soap box.

Hopefully Hobo is in with some other turtles and finding a girl friend or boy friend to start his/her own family! You did all that you could for Hobo and I think God will help him do well now that he is big enough to be released. Hope he will let you know he is there! I've had birds to come back and let me know they were still out there and doing ok! That sure did warm my heart and bring more tears to my eyes in thanksgiving!

Jan

[Casey's Mom]

Oh Jan, I know it hurts but you did the right thing. It's always very rewarding to know you have helped an animal but it always hurts to set it free again, since you have put some much love and time into helping the little guy grow strong again. You're such a good person to help an animal in need! It's kind of different, not a wild animal or anything, but I've tamed, fed and cuddled a few stray cats that have been left behind by neighbours or just wandered into the neighbourhood lost, and after taken them to the Shelter to find better homes. It hurt for a while after doing that because you just miss seeing them and taking care of them everyday. But I know they went to excellent homes.

Just know that he is out there with the other turtles swimming free, making new friends and seeing you every morning when you go out to feed them.

Hugs!

[Animal Quackers]

Nancy,

I agree with everything Jan said.

It hurts because you LOVE him, and you want to do everything right for him. YOU DID A GOOD THING all the way around!

Your friends on the forum are thinking good thoughts for Hobo, and sending hugs your way!

[~Wasabi~]

AW! I know it's hard but I believe you did the right thing! I admire what you did and anyone else who helps wildlife and injured pets. I really look up to you!

[Quakermom]

you should have seen me when i did my first dolphin rescue and release, I was miserable the day we let him go, But i know we did the right thing. He already knew how to survive on his own. You feel so much love for this animal and you bond with them care for them when their sick and learn so much about them when your with them, its like sending a kid to college your letting them go but apart of you really wants them to stay. But you will be fine in a few days or so because yu did the right thing. you helped a beautiful animal and set him free. who knows maybe another turtle will need your help again very soon. hugs to you for doing the right thing..

PS. You need a kiddie swimming pool soon..lol cause no turtle tank is ever big enough for those guys..lol

[Cheekys mum]

Awww what a selfless act you did making the difference! You really did the right thing mending him and letting him go again. bless you! What a nice post this was to read I really enjoyed it!

[Carrie~Anne]

I agree that you did a good thing You saved this turtle's life!! How could you feel that you did anything wrong? Without your intervention, he would of perished.

Big hugs, Nancy. I know you must be hurting. But try to focus on what you've done, not what you've lost.

[Sandi Kiwis Mom]

I agree you did a great thing saving the Turtle..........I feel for you releasing it back, but he has a BIG place now and can grow even bigger. BIG HUGS Nancy...

[Cantab]

You have done the right thing Hobo is free as he was born to be, he would of certainly died if you had not intervened, now he can start a new phase in his life, finish growing and even reproducing, so in the future you will have plenty more Hobo's to feed.

[equineRtist]

Nancy, he's beautiful! You did the right thing. Without you, Hobo would have perished long ago. He now has had the best of both worlds. As someone said, he will probably find a mate and later have babies to show to his human family. Take him some lettuce now and then.

I have rescued baby birds from the yard when we couldn't find their nest and hated when it came time to turn them out, but they hang around for a while, find a girlfriend or boyfriend and run off and get married!

My prayer is that the pain will soon ease for both of you. Feel good about what you did, You will be blessed!