My mid-morning slumber was greatly disturbed by much agitated barking from outside. I leapt from my bed to see what could be the matter.
The blonds were down in the lower yard raising a grand ruckus - they seem to be intereted in somnething just out the fence. I went down to the other side of their yard to investigate (snakes are common). Buster and Bonnie were barking and digging up a storm, trying to tunnel under the fence. On close inspection I discovered, just on my side of the fence, a fair size box turtle all rolled into a ball.
The dogs were NOT pleased when I removed it from their sight:
I put the poor scared critter down well out of reach and gave it a closer inspection. The shell was vibrating, so life was clearly present. Soon, the shell cracked open a bit and two dark eyes peered out; a few minutes passed, then a head came out. I decided to go get some lettuce and the camera. When I returned the tortise had pulled a "hare" and was long gone.
der Brucer