Nearly four years ago, a tortoise named Speedy broke free from his owners’ home and went on an adventure. After over three and a half years of living on the lam, Speedy has finally been reunited with his owners… five miles away from their house.
“It’s a miracle,” said owner Linda Smith, wiping away tears as she hugged her beloved pet. “We gave up hope a long time ago. We thought he was gone forever.”
Apparently Speedy had been on a mission to see the world. He had traveled all the way to the next town over, setting up camp in a nearby park and taking part in various tortoise-based shenanigans. Witnesses reported seeing him playing frisbee with some local dogs and even forming his own gang of wild tortoises.
“He was living the life,” said park ranger Jill Anderson. “But I knew he couldn’t have gone on forever. His shell was starting to show some wear and tear. Plus, his Instagram account had gone silent for a few months.”
Eventually, a group of concerned citizens contacted animal control after they spotted Speedy trying to hitch a ride on the interstate. A quick scan of his microchip revealed his true identity, and he was returned to the Smiths with great fanfare.
The Smiths expressed their gratitude to everyone who helped bring Speedy back home, including the local sheriff’s department, the park rangers, and even the tortoise gang that had reportedly taken him under their slow-moving wing.
While he may have been away for quite some time, Speedy doesn’t seem to have aged a day. In fact, he’s looking better than ever after his long sabbatical.
“We’re just amazed that he survived on his own for so long,” said Linda Smith. “We’re definitely going to invest in a better fence this time around.”
Although it’s been a happy ending for Speedy and his family, the incident has raised some concerns about tortoise crime and punishment. Many are questioning whether or not Speedy should be held accountable for the various misdemeanors he may have committed during his time on the run.
Animal rights activists are calling for leniency, arguing that Speedy was just trying to live his best life and explore the world. Others, however, are demanding justice for the dogs whose frisbees he stole, and the innocent bystanders who may have been caught in the crossfire of tortoise gang warfare.
Only time will tell what the fate of Speedy will be, but one thing is for sure: his epic adventure has made him a legend in the tortoise community and beyond.
