The last time I saw Bubbles was approximately 50 years ago. Bubble was a tortoise brought to me by my uncle on his return from military training in the California dessert. It is hard to imagine that a tortoise can bring back fond memories, unless you lived with one.

Bubbles would come out of hiding to eat petals from our roses and to eat lettuce. He moved quite quickly when he wanted to. It seemed that he had a real sense for these special feeding times as he would not come running across the lawn at the same speed to just say hello.

Bubbles would hang his head totally out of his shell to get a neck scratch, and he got many. I have no illusions about my importance to Bubbles. I think I was a predictable and excellent source of food. I also have no illusions about his importance to me; he was true bliss for a young child and I will never forget him.