Love Makes Free

One afternoon Mommy noticed Rebecca’s eyes were red and tearful.

Mommy: What’s the matter, my dear?

Rebecca: I think Devin is dead. He doesn’t move at all.

Devin is the turtle Daddy bought for Rebecca at her 5th birthday.

Mommy: No, he is not dead. He is in hibernation.

Rebecca was still crying.

Mommy: I think Devin is not happy living with us. We should send Devin back to the nature where he has more space and freedom. How about Phoenix Zoo?

There is a pond at the entrance of Phoenix Zoo. One time when they visited the Zoo they saw turtles swimming and playing in the pond. Those turtles looked very happy because they were free.

Rebecca: Ok, you can send Devin to the Zoo. But I will miss him.

Mommy: We’ll all miss him.

Rebecca’s heart was broken. That night she had a talk with Mommy.

Rebecca: I am so sad.

Mommy: Yes. We all feel sad. But think about Devin in a big pond. He will be very happy. Do you feel better if you imagine Devin is happy?

Rebecca: Yes, I feel better.

Mommy: You’re a very nice girl because you want to do something for other people’s good. You love Devin, but you want him to be happy. So you send him free. This is unselfish love.

In the next a few days Mommy called Phoenix Zoo, but they didn’t take Devin as Mommy expected. Mommy called Arizona Reptile Rescue Center, but didn’t get a word from them.

Daddy: There is a pond in the ASU research park where I used to work. I ever saw turtles in the pond. We can send Devin there.

Mommy: There is a pond in the Desert Breeze Park. We could send Devin there. Where do you want to send him, Rebecca?

Rebecca: Desert Breeze Park.

The decision was made. Devin would be sent to the Desert Breeze Park. It is a big amusement park. Daddy and Mommy take Rebecca and Gabby there sometimes. Next time when they are there they probably will see Devin.

It was Friday afternoon. Mommy gave Devin a bath. He is nice and clean. She took a couple of pictures of him. From that time on, they would only remember Devin from these pictures and those they took before. Devin has been a good turtle. He has not caused any trouble. He is always content with what has and all that he has is the pail he lives in. He has brought the family a lot of fun. Mommy remembered the day he was brought back home from the PetsMart and everyone was very excited about him. Rebecca named him Devin. Daddy bought a big water tank for him and it was decorated beautifully with weeds, corals and little rocks. Devin didn’t eat for the first a few days because no one knew how to feed him. They put the food in a bowl and expected him to come out of the water and eat, but he never did. Daddy, Mommy and Rebecca were all worried. Daddy went to the PetsMart and asked why the turtle didn’t eat. The people at the PetsMart told him that a turtle like Devin didn’t eat from a bowl. He ate food in the water. Daddy bought snacks from the PetsMart for Devin - a few little fishes. They were happy to watch Devin gobble the little fish up in a few minutes. Later Devin was moved to the pail because of some practical reasons.

After being put in the pond, Devin was not used to it at first. He lay on the surface and didn’t move a bit. Mommy picked up a little piece of rock and threw it onto Devin. He woke up and swam away. Bye-bye, Devin!