Missing: 150-Year-Old Tortoise 'Butch,' Family Pet for Two Generations

CUPERTINO, Calif.

Missing: 150-Year-Old Tortoise 'Butch,' Family Pet for Two Generations
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

CUPERTINO, Calif. — A family pet that's been a fixture in a Cupertino neighborhood for 65 years is missing.

A desert tortoise named "Butch" disappeared late last month from the yard of a home where it had lived with two generations of the same family.

The tortoise — estimated to be 150 years old — was a gift to Opal Carle when she moved into the home in 1943.

When Carle passed away during the summer her son and daughter-in-law took over care of the land turtle.

But when the daughter-in-law — Penny Carle — had to go into a hospital on Sept. 25, the tortoise disappeared.

The family believes the tortoise was stolen because there is chain link fence around the property.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,437921,00.html

150-year-old turtle back home in Cupertino

Monday, November 10, 2008

(11-10) 19:47 PST Cupertino, CA (AP) --

A 150-year-old family pet is back home in Cupertino after going missing for more than a month.

The desert tortoise named "Butch" was found Monday in the yard of his caretakers, Chuck and Penny Carle. He went missing from the yard in September.

The Carle family believed he was stolen because there is a chain link fence around the property.

Desert tortoises go into hibernation this time of year, and Butch immediately went to sleep after his return.

The tortoise was a gift to Chuck Carle's mother when she moved into the home in 1943.

When she passed away during the summer, her son and daughter-in-law took over care of the land turtle.

Penny Carle said the turtle's return was like an early holiday gift.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...n194758S85.DTL

It's nice to hear a happy ending for a change.

Thanks for the update!

that is a wonderful ending!!!