Elisabeth is my only daughter. She is accomplished in many ways, but my greatest feeling of joy in knowing her arises from my occasional glimpses into her heart. She can be too hard on herself sometimes, and this can leave scars a mother hates to see, but tonight I want to write about her natural ability to coax love and total trust from her pets. We aren’t talking dogs here. They love easily. We aren’t even talking cats. I find some cats will occasionally show love - when you aren’t watching.
No, I mean from turtles and bunnies….
Elisabeth has a huge turtle, a larger than a dinner plate turtle. This turtle is one of those small little pet store turtles, all big and buff. She has raised Squirt from a baby, and that turtle loves her, big time. We have a large swimming pool, and that crazy turtle will follow her all around in it. Now, I know most scientists would say the turtle has been imprinted on her as a baby, but I say it is pure turtle love. If you can imagine an excited, giddy turtle, then you have an idea of how that turtle behaves when she talks to him.
Now the bunny, also loves her, in a blind faith sort of way. This bunny will let her cuddle with it while it lies quietly on its back. Bunny will let me hold her that way as well, but not with total peaceful abandonment like he does with Elisabeth.
I think that if it is at all within the nature of an animal to love, Elisabeth could coax that response out of it.
That’s my girl.
I so can appreciate your story about the love that exists between Elisabeth and her animals. I happen to be so fortunate to have "danced" with the Hawaian sea turtle and a long time ago I had a bunny that followed me around when I worked in the garden.
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