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A Tortoise Tale: How Tiptoe the Tortoise survived the Southern California wildfires.
Dear Reader: The vast Southern California fires brought and are bringing great pain and amazing heroism. We defer to others to tell those stories, for our story today is short and simple.
Our story:
As plumes of dark smoke and burning cinders approached his Pacific Palisades home, and police encouraged people to flee their residences, Tiptoe had to go.
His human companion Caitlin Doran and her family bundled him in protective blankets and lured him with bell peppers, as they guided him to their SUV and lifted him in.
He and they then moved 16 miles south to live for now in Marina del Rey.
(Story continues from "Read More")
To many, Tiptoe had been a Pacific Palisades treasure, as he waddled the sidewalks with Caitlin or her mother, while also making appearances in parks, festivals and schools.
And his adventures became popular on social media.
"People will grow vegetables for him," Caitlin told NPR. "They grow flowers for him."
Many people, including Caitlin's extended family and friends, have lost their homes in the fire and now focus on day to day living conditions, insurance companies, lenders and rebuilding.
In the meantime, Tiptoe offers a little glimmer of hope, as he brings smiles from Marina del Rey and adjusts to his life as it is now.
And one other thing. Tiptoe loves roses, and is known for taking the time to smell them, which we would all be wise to do. He then eats them along with his other vegetables.
Editor's Note:
To learn more npr.org/, caitlinandtiptoe.com/ and google.com/.
In The Next KazanToday: Dog loses human companion to fatal traffic accident, is adopted by a kindly pub manager.
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