A HERO SURVIVES

On June 14, 2006 Patrick decided to take the afternoon off, and left the office early. Little did he know that decision may have helped to save a life. As he parked in the detached garage, he heard the smoke alarm blaring. He didn't realize it was coming from his own house until he stepped out of the car. He ran to the door and saw water seeping from beneath the basement door, and a few wisps of smoke coming out of the windows. As he raced up the stairs and opened the door he was greeted by a kitchen and living room that were under2-4 inches of water. As he listened to the deafening sound of the alarm, he realized that a precious pet was in the basement, where he assumed the fire started.

The pet was a Sulcata Tortoise that Patrick and his wife Lucy were pet sitting, named Hero. These turtles are desert creatures and don't really like the water too much, so he raced downstairs to find the turtle unmoving in his pen. Patrick proceeded to wrap the turtle in a blanket, and take him outside, thinking they have to at least bury him. After realizing that the turtle was gone, he called his wife, and the fire department was called to turn the water off. Fire Busters was scheduled to come the next day to return the sprinkler system to working order. When Lucy returned home they grabbed the mops and buckets and started what would end up to be a 4 month clean up process. While cleaning Lucy went outside, to empty a bucket and she looked at the poor little turtle, when she saw some movement. Hero poked his head out of his shell, he was alive. Lucy and Patrick were very thankful that the sprinklers saved their house, and also saved the life of Hero, the little turtle!