The Daily Suncast - Tortoise Tales & Healing Hearts

Let's just get right into that tortoise story because honestly, this might be my favorite thing I've read all week.

So Animal Control out in Englewood gets a call.

A stray is on the loose.

But instead of the usual dog or cat, it's Romeo, this one hundred-pound tortoise waddling down the street.

And apparently, this is not his first breakout.

I mean, I had to laugh when I read Chloe Nelson's piece.

This tortoise has broken out so many times, even in other states.

Can you imagine seeing him barreling through your yard? And it took like half a dozen people to actually lift him onto a wagon.

The image of that alone cracks me up.

But what really got me, his owners show up and realize Romeo is covered in blue paint from literally pushing through their neighbor's fence.

He just bulldozes wherever he wants.

That blue paint detail says it all.

He left his mark.

But what I really loved was when Linda, his owner, just laughed after Romeo peed all over their truck blanket on the way home.

She said, "At least we know he's hydrated." You can tell they adore him despite these wild adventures.

It's just such a good reminder that these exotic pets are anything but low maintenance.

Animal Control even said tortoises are expert escape artists.

Who knew? They're recommending microchipping now for pets like Romeo.

Honestly, Max, if you can microchip your cat or your golden retriever, why not your tortoise? These guys clearly have wanderlust.

Imagine the reunion calls.

"We found your one hundred-pound tortoise several blocks away."

And it makes you wonder, what's the most surprising animal you've ever seen loose around here? Because I feel like only in Florida could this happen so often.

For me, it was definitely a peacock last spring just strolling past the grocery store.

But nothing as stubborn as Romeo.

That's Florida for you.

Let's just get right into that tortoise story because honestly, this might be my favorite thing I've read all week.

So Animal Control out in Englewood gets a call.

A stray is on the loose.

But instead of the usual dog or cat, it's Romeo, this one hundred-pound tortoise waddling down the street.

And apparently, this is not his first breakout.

I mean, I had to laugh when I read Chloe Nelson's piece.

This tortoise has broken out so many times, even in other states.

Can you imagine seeing him barreling through your yard? And it took like half a dozen people to actually lift him onto a wagon.

The image of that alone cracks me up.

But what really got me, his owners show up and realize Romeo is covered in blue paint from literally pushing through their neighbor's fence.

He just bulldozes wherever he wants.

That blue paint detail says it all.

He left his mark.

But what I really loved was when Linda, his owner, just laughed after Romeo peed all over their truck blanket on the way home.

She said, "At least we know he's hydrated." You can tell they adore him despite these wild adventures.

It's just such a good reminder that these exotic pets are anything but low maintenance.

Animal Control even said tortoises are expert escape artists.

Who knew? They're recommending microchipping now for pets like Romeo.

Honestly, Max, if you can microchip your cat or your golden retriever, why not your tortoise? These guys clearly have wanderlust.

Imagine the reunion calls.

"We found your one hundred-pound tortoise several blocks away."

And it makes you wonder, what's the most surprising animal you've ever seen loose around here? Because I feel like only in Florida could this happen so often.

For me, it was definitely a peacock last spring just strolling past the grocery store.

But nothing as stubborn as Romeo.

That's Florida for you.