Unlikely Friends

Do you remember the story

of the tortoise and the hare?

Always one of my favorites.

Slow and steady 
wins the race every time.

Cute old vintage artwork.

Had not really thought about it
for a long time.


But then over the weekend

my daughter and I were out shopping

and we walked into one of our

 favorite pet shops in the city

 where we used to take the kids  

 when they were very small.

Completely did not expect to see

this most uncommon sight.

A most unlikely pair

sharing a nesting area in an

old open closet within the shop.

The tortoise's name is Betty, and the lop-eared rabbit's name is Holly.

Close up of Holly... she weighs 18 pounds! Can you believe it?

This tortoise is a breed from Ethiopia, an African Spurred Tortoise.
(See Holly in the background... napping.)

Can you believe they share their
food and their living space?


Remarkable.

Holly has such a sweet disposition.

Betty likes to go to the beach at Lake Michigan to bask in the sun,
they told us.... in the warm summer months.

Both of these animals
lived with their owners until
Betty got too big and the family 
that had her felt they 
could not keep her any longer.


Holly's family moved  
and could not take her with them.


They are both orphans 
of the pet shop now,
but they have become so much more.


They have become the best of friends.



They do not seem to be in any
hurry to get anywhere. No races here!
Just happy enjoying each other's
company and all the attention
the pet shop employees and visitors provide.


Thought I would share
this unique friendship
with you.

The end!


(Heading off tomorrow morning 
to attend the Junk Jubilee
in Des Moines tomorrow. 
Are any of you 
planning to attend as well?
Maybe I will see you there!)