A Pet Turtle Called Hirohito- If Only

Today I considered buying a pet turtle, then decided it wasn't a good idea. A boring story to tell, you may say. But let's have a closer look. An English teacher at work has two pet turtles, which he bought because he and his son really like them. He named them Michael (I gave him a list of English names to choose from, including Tim and Boris, but he went for this) and Yoshino. He'd bought them because his previous batch of turtles, working as a three, had somehow managed to make a run for it. Quite how turtles do this I do not know. Nonetheless, he came back from work one day and they were gone. So I decided that, being 22 and living on my own and all, it was time that I had my first pet. I'd get two turtles, and call one of them Hirohito, after the Showa Emperor. The other I'd let the English teacher name, in order to return the favour. Before I knew it I was immersed in the world of pet turtles, hearing about what tanks and heaters etc etc you can get, all for a little turtle worth a fiver (though obviously a lot more than that in immesurable love of course). I even went to www.petturtle.com, a thrilling site than I recommend to you all. But then came the realisation that a pet turtle is for life, not just for shits and giggles (although theres plenty of these when turtles are around, according to my eigo sensei- apparently if you get more than one they're more exciting, because they actually move sometimes!). While I'm staying at my friends house every other week, and while I'm away on holiday, the turtles will feel neglected and may develop some sort of psychological disorder. Plus there will be no-one to feed them. So I decided, at the end of the day, that it wasn't a good idea after all.

A day well spent.