I was happy when a former neighbor called me today to say her children had found a turtle in the backyard of their home, and asked if I could come over to take a look and help identify the species. I had mentioned once to her that as a youngster I was very fond of reptiles and now have a few snakes (kingsnakes), and she remembered at the right time. Her next trip was to a local petshop with the turtle, which I advised her against over the phone. I found a nice little Eastern Painted Turtle, maybe a couple of years old, and it looked very healthy and strong. And I was real glad when they understood that I would have to take it to a large pond a few miles away where I occasionally have seen other turtles, and let him/her go free. The three young girls, who were extremely interested in this beautiful creature, came with along with their parents, and watched as I placed the turtle along the waters edge and then as he swam away. I'll never know how it ended up such a distance from any pond or lake, and into a backyard with a fence that I wouldn't think it could get under or over. Oh well, it's safe now and I feel very good about that.