Dec 22
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Sea Turtle Santa Letters
Dear Santa
The week before Christmas
And inside our door
A big stack of letters
Lay right on our floor
We picked them up gently
Because they were damp
Addressed to “Dear Santa”
Not one had a stamp!
The turtles were quiet
All still and in wait
Crossing their flippers
That we “take the bait”
Well, we did. It appears that Santa is the “go to” guy even for sea turtles. If you’ve ever wondered what a sea turtle would ask for read on.
“Ambassador” Lennie; “World peace.” This is a recurring theme for our resident Kemp’s and hospital ambassador. Lennie – if only….
Carter: “Ear muffs.” Carter is our little green “airhead”. And he’s literally an airhead. We’re still trying to determine the cause of the air in his cranium. The most obvious symptom is his bulging ears.
Swan: “Lots of red blood cells.” Swan was so close to release in 2008 she could almost taste the ocean. But every time we tested her blood she turned up anemic.
Snow: “A clean CAT scan in 2009.” Snow has long ago recovered from her horrific head injury, but a small growth at the site proved to be fibropapilloma (FP), almost always fatal when left untreated. She’s nearing her 18-month observation period, and there has been no obvious recurrence. If she scans clear she gets her release papers around June.
Brownie: “I want my old tank back, or I’m leaving!” This little Kemp is still in a snit after being relocated to “the loft” when the cold-stuns came in. Believe me, we’d like him to leave as much as he wants to go.
May: “I want to be able to sleep on the bottom of my tank.” May is a floater, and although she’s able to dive for her food if she puts her mind to it she still spends most of her day bobbing around, listing to one side. A few months ago she was relocated to a much larger tank, under the window, prime turtle hospital real estate. She rebelled by going on a hunger strike and turning her back on us. I’m not sure Santa will be able to please this diva.
The Seven Dwarfs: “A boat ride to freedom.” These are seven of the first group of little green cold-stuns that came in. They may get their wish, assuming their blood work checks out. Hi ho.
Lola: “New scutes for my booty.” When Lola was admitted she had a large area at the rear of her carapace that had been injured and was beginning to heal. She’s slowly developing scar tissue, which will eventually be covered with some shiny new scutes. But that’s a ways down the road.
Every turtle had “flipper tags” on their list because they know once they see that jewelry they’re as good as gone.
From the volunteers and the patients, thank you for your continuing support, moral and financial. May all our holiday dreams come true.
Questions, comments or suggestions for stories
Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com.
Posted by Karen Sota.
Filed under Sea Turtle News
Posted on Mon, 22 December 2008 at 2:41 pm
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