Farewell Turtle Dreams

Image © Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

I'm one of those people that knows you have to live life today or you'll miss out on the special moments, but somehow, despite living near it for 15 years, I failed to visit Turtle Dreams before it closed.  I've heard about the "place in Montecito for rescued turtles" for years and wished I could build an extravagant enclosure for my turtle Pokey for even longer, but somehow I never tried to visit until last week.  Jeanie Vaughan rushed to answer the my call just ten seconds after the answering tape began, but moments later her tired yet cheerful voice told me it was not a good time for me to visit because they were closing down. 

Jeanie and her husband Dennis retired to Montecito in 1995 with 15 turtles.  By 2008 they had built their own private zoo and were caring for 500 rescued turtles and tortoises.  These days it is just Jeanie, her daughter Christy, and community support that care for the elaborate collection.  Jeanie says she has friends all over the world helping her find new homes for the turtles and tortoises currently living with her.  I hope that wherever they go, they will always remember the woman who showed them a small slice of heaven, but feel equally pampered, loved and nurtured by their new environment.

I think the thing that is hardest about loving turtles is knowing that if you nurture them well, it is highly likely they will outlive you.  It is every parent's worst nightmare to leave their child penniless and forced to take care of themselves.  Nearly every turtle owner must face this terror, or worse, the knowledge that their inadequacies as a caretaker may have shortened the life of a mystical creature.

Jeanie, Dennis and Christy Vaughan have offered a dreamlike experience to turtles and turtle lovers for over a decade.  Pokey and I wish to thank them for their years of service.  Your contribution to turtle and tortoise conservation will not be forgotten.


FOOTNOTES:

An anonymous commenter below states that they are close friends with Jeanie Vaughan and that she wants the public to know she is not closing down completely.  Call Turtle Dreams at (805)969-5128 for more information.


Topaz & Tillman saw this post and wanted to say thank you to Jeanine for finding them a lovely home.

THIS MOMENT - Green Sea Turtle

THIS MOMENT – A Friday ritual.

Photos – no words – capturing moments from the week.

Simple, special, extraordinary moments.

Moments you want to pause, savour and remember.

“This Moment” was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane of Almost There and Alejandro of Raising Amelie

Image © Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

The Sea Turtle Restoration Project is holding a raffle for a luxury dive vacation!
Click here to help the turtles and possibly win a dream vacation to swim with turtles.

YOU TUBE TUESDAY - Mickael the Turtle

Josh from "Its Tiger Time" invented You Tube Tuesday so we could each share one video a week which we found to be fun, inspiring or otherwise noteworthy.  If you choose to participate, don't forget to leave your links in my comments section (so I can come visit you) and on Josh's page (so you can be part of the contest).   I hope you like the wacky turtle video selection I chose for you this week!

Hurricane Irene's Smallest Victims

Many baby sea turtle nests were unearthed, destroyed and / or relocated by Hurricane Irene. I learned from this article that my first instinct in this situation is not correct. Though I may want to "rescue" the tiny turtle and take it to a conservation group, they are actually more likely to survive if I leave them on the beach to fight with nature. So, its probably a good thing I live on the west coast. I'm not sure I could just sit there and watch the hatchlings get battered by the storm.

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We all know that certain pet owners like to dress up their animals in costume.  The following is incredibly adorable proof that this tradition also extends to turtles and tortoises.  Have a stupendously silly Sunday!

THIS MOMENT - Turtle Reef

THIS MOMENT – A Friday ritual.

Photos – no words – capturing moments from the week.

Simple, special, extraordinary moments.

Moments you want to pause, savour and remember.

“This Moment” was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane of Almost There and Alejandro of Raising Amelie

Image © Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

You Tube Tuesday - Why did the turtle cross the road?

Josh from "Its Tiger Time" invented You Tube Tuesday so we could each share one video a week which we found to be fun, inspiring or otherwise noteworthy.  If you choose to participate, don't forget to leave your links in my comments section (so I can come visit you) and on Josh's page (so you can be part of the contest).   I hope you like the wacky turtle video selection I chose for you this week!

Happy Tuesday!