Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Happy World Oceans Day!

Today is the day we celebrate the oceans and despite the recent oil spill in the Gulf Coast, there's still so much to celebrate. They give life to us land animals and even if you've only seen the oceans in pictures or on tv you still have so much to celebrate. The world is blue and we couldn't exist without the oceans.

I love the ocean so much and so does Mom. She loves it so much that she's leaving tomorrow for the Atlantic ocean. Yep. It's that time of year again - turtle time!

Mom is heading back to Wassaw Island to assist the Caretta Research Project with loggerhead nesting. You can read about my post from last year here for details on Wassaw Island. Mom said it's the most magical place on Earth and since I've never been there I'll have to take her word for it.

Mom will be spending the week with this gorgeous lady, the original turtlebabe, Kris. She's the director of the project and Mom loves her like a sister. Mom once told her that she wanted to be just like her when she grew up. This is funny because Kris is just a little younger than Mom!

This picture is from Mom's first year turtling. She was on Wassaw in August helping with hatchling season. She helped so many little babies to the ocean that year and was instantly hooked.

Mom will also be with these lovely ladies. Okay, so Carole will definitely be there but Trixie the loggerhead turtle might be too. She nested a couple of weeks ago and should be ready to nest again next week. Keep your paws crossed that she makes an appearance because she's Carole turtle.

This picture is from Carole's first year on Wassaw. Mom was an old pro by this time and was showing Carole the ropes with this beautiful momma. In case you're wondering, they are checking the turtle for tags. If a turtle isn't tagged then they tag her, one tag on each of her front flippers. They lovingly refer to the tags as jewelry and imagine all the mommas returning to the ocean to show off their jewelry to all the other turtles.

Mom and Carole hit it off right away and this will be their fifth year together on the island. Mom can't even imagine Wassaw without her and Kris. This is them last year in the main cabin getting ready to head out to the beach.

This picture of Mom and her crew is from 2005. This momma decided she wanted to nest at sunrise and everyone couldn't have been happier. Called a dawn turtle, this is the best time to take pictures of turtles. The guy standing behind Mom is Jason and he will be the assistant on Mom's week.

Mom says one of the reasons Wassaw is so magical is because of its natural beauty. This is one of the roads on the island and you can see that it looks like a movie set. It's organized chaos with all the moss hanging from the live oaks. Mom claims that Wassaw also smells like no other place she's ever been. As soon as she steps off the boat and onto the dock she smells the island and knows that she's arrived - in utopia.

Mom's hoping to see lots of these guys this year too. There are lots of them on the island but some years she sees them and some she doesn't. This picture is from a few years ago and was taken as they were heading to the beach. Joe is holding the alligator after finding it in the dark.

So this is what Mom is going to be doing next week. Patrolling the beach every night looking for mommas just like this one. This momma had just nested and was heading back into the ocean. Notice all the sand on her back. This is from her covering her nest so that nothing will disturb it. Don't worry momma, Mom won't let anything happen to your babies.

Mom said that even after all these years, it never gets old seeing sea turtles nest. It almost always brings a tear to her eyes because these gracious creatures face so many perils in the ocean. It saddens me so much to think of them swimming through all the oil that's spilling into the Gulf Coast. I've asked Mom to tell all the mommas to swim around the oil and to tell all their friends to do the same.

But what about me? I want to thank all of you for the sweet comments you left on yesterday's post. Mom was a little freaked out last night waiting for the doctor to call. The doctor called this morning while Mom was out getting prettied up so Dad talked to the doctor and guess what? My blood work came back totally normal. I'm okay! It's true. Dr. Chung told Dad that not only am I okay but that he should feed me a little bit more because she doesn't want me to lose more weight. Feed me more? YAY!

Since Mom is going to be gone for twelve days you know what that means. I asked her to leave the 'puter on for me but she reminded me that that would be a waste of energy. So no computer means no blogging. In lieu of blogging I will be eating. Eating Popeyes, french fries, hamburgers, watermelon, hot dogs, etc. Dad said I can have whatever I want. We are going to party like rockstars while Mom is gone!

21 comments:

Smushie Ranch said...

We really appreciate your momma's post Stubby. Our momma is super sad about the gushing oil in the south. She just can't stand it. Please tell your momma we'll miss her while she's away. Ummm, maybe you should come stay with us? Being how you need to fatten up and all. We can help with that around this house...BOL!

Love,
Stella, Gunther and Betty

Those Elgin Pugs said...

Oh my goodness Auntie Michele!! This is the coolest post ever!! (besides one of me... Izzy note)

That big giant turtle is super cools!!

You beautiful peoples do such wonderful works for 'dem Turtles!! I wouldn't put it past Stubby if he dressed up in green to try to come wit!!! No...he may just enjoy hanging wit the Daddy unit!!
Have fun Auntie M and we look forward to hearing from you soon!!

Ooh's...and Mr. Stubb's (you couldn't handle me) - IZZY :}

Loves,
Josie, Izzy and
Anakin Man

Salinger The Pug said...

YAY! We're glad you're ok Stubby!!! Wow...a license to chow down???? Dude...you are LUCKY!

Holy crap balls! Mom was looking at that first pic of your mom with the turtle and was looking for a small turtle...then jumped when she saw it was a HUNORMOUS giant turtle!!!! Those are DEFINITELY not the same kinds of turtles that tried to kill mom once, so she'll be ok (in case you were worried).

Love,
S-Dog

Stubby said...

Hi Stella, Gunther & Betty! I tried to tell Mom to ship me out to Cali but she said Dad needs me here. I'm not sure what he needs me for but I must stay here.

I plan on fattening up while Mom is gone and will send you my meal plan so that Rini can join me. I sure hope she likes junk food!

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Josie Girl, Izzy & Anakin! Mom is super excited about getting back to the island to see the turtles. There is no way I'm going with because it's way too hot and humid for me and there's no air conditioning. I would totally melt!

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hey Salinger! A big fat doctor approved license to chow down baby! I'll be at every drive-thru in town while Mom's gone and I'll make sure to send some foodables your way.

Please have your mom do a post about the turtle that supposedly tried to kill her. I mean I know the story but the rest of the world could benefit from learning about it.

And don't worry about Mom. The last thing on the island she's afraid of are turtles and there's many different species there. She more worried about avoiding ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes and will stop at nothing to make sure they don't find her!

Stubby xoxo

Wilma said...

What wonderful work your Mom is doing. Thanks Stubbys Mom. What great news Sal. I'm glad your Momgot the good news before she left. It's so hard worrying about us pugs when tests and stuff are done. Licensed to eat!!! Woo Hoo!!! Chow something for me Stubby, cuz I'm trying to watch my figure. I'll expect a significant rounding to have occured next time we see you. Bon Appetit!!

Hahaha word verification trudistu
so belee dat

Stubby said...

Hi Wilma! I'll definitely chow down for you since you are watching your girlish figure. I'm starting my eating fest as soon as Mom is out the door so I'm trying to get her to leave asap. Hopefully Dad won't take any pictures and send them to Mom while she is away because I want my new tubiness to be a surprise!

Stubby xoxo

Apollo said...

That's so exciting that your Mom is going back again. My Mommy spent her childhood growing up in Georgia. She said that she's been to Wassaw Island before, with her Girl Scout troop. She doesn't remember much. But she does remember how scared she was when they thought they saw Red Eye's ghost. And she remembers jumping the waves on the beach and then the sand moving underneath her exposing a sting ray! She was so freaked out that she wouldn't go back in the water after that. Mommy wistfully sighed after reading your post...I think she misses the islands and beaches down there.

As for you getting to have a guys week with your Dad AND eat as much as you want - LUCKY PUG! Now I'm wistfully sighing...

Mia said...

Oh Stubby, a license to eat!!! How wonderful!!! I told the momma she needs to send you some cheesy tatoes and pasta salad and anything else I can think of to fatten you up. She said she didn't think your momma would approve, but who cares! You Dr. said to eat!!! =)

~Hugs~

Lilo

Stubby said...

Hi Apollo! That is so awesome that your mom has been to Wassaw Island. Mom told me all about Red Eye and even to this day she's afraid of seeing him. He's quite a legend and Mom loves telling all the new people about him!

You should come up here and spend the week with me. I'm going to live it up and eat with abandon. Since the doctor says it's okay, then I must follow her orders!

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Lilo! Cheesy tatoes and pasta salad sound just like what I need. What Mom doesn't know won't hurt her so send me the foodables asap. I should have taken a cue from Emmitt and thrown a party this week. Is it too late to get the invites out?

Stubby xoxo

Sequoia & Petunia & Emma said...

You have such a great Mom...her helping out all those Momma turtles. And we are glad to hear your blood work came back normals! You should celebrate with some Popeyes!

dw said...

Great news from the doc, Stubby!!! And yay @ the Popeyes I know you'll be having. Everytime I get off the expressway to come home, I see the Popeyes on Diversey and California and I think of you!! I will need to make a stop there soon, in your honor!

I think your mom is doing great work with the turtles! I'm jealous that she gets to go off to the island and help the turtles. High fives to your mom!

Dana Orsborn said...

Hi Stubby!

I am so glad you are okay!

Daisy and I love this post!
Those turtles look so big and magical! It is so nice of your mom, to go back and volunteer for this cause, the animals, and the ocean!

We can't wait to read about
her adventure when she gets back!

-Dana & Daisy

Anonymous said...

So glad that you blood results came back normal!! :)
I have noticed in the spring to the fall Indy's tummy turns very dark too! I have never though of suncreen though...

Anonymous said...

Oh and i forgot to add that what your mommy is going to do is so cool!
I need to go read her previous post but does she just tag the turtles? or does she move/protect the eggs too? Because i thought it was illegal to move loggerhead eggs?

Archie and Melissa said...

hi stubby!
that is fabulous news about your check up!
emmitt is baking up some mini meatloaves for you to snack on in between the popeyes!

your mom is going to have a fabulous time and we cannot wait to hear about her trip!

xoxoxo
m & e

Tweedles -- that's me said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tweedles -- that's me said...

Tweedles -- that's me said...
Hi Stubby
I am so proud of your mom for going to help the turtles at Wassaw Island.
Your mom must have wings and be an Angel to the turtles.
This Island sounds so magical.
I wish I could go too.
I have a feeling your mom will be looking for Murphy also when she walks down the sandy beaches. Maybe Murphy will get some jewelery too.
What a fun time for your mom to go and reaquaint herself with all her old friends, and spread tjhe word to swim around the oil.
I hope you mom does see all her old turtle friends and has the best time of her life.
And Stubby- go pig out- don't stuff yourself too much- but yes eat some popeyes.
I am soooo happy YOU got the okay call from your vet
I love you Stubby
love
tweedles

Hank said...

Hey, Aunt Michele!

Hank and I really enjoyed meeting you at Aunt Laura's!!!

Next time, bring Stubby!!!

Lick ya later!

Molly