Tortoise Tales

Your story about Steve Killgore’s search for his missing tortoise (June 16) brought back memories. When my sisters and I were growing up in Santa Cruz, our tortoise, Desert Pete, also staged a great escape. Pete had appeared in a community theater production of “Heidi” (despite my parents’ protests that they do not have desert tortoises in Switzerland) and shortly thereafter burrowed under the fence and took off.

It was the family’s theory that he had gone south seeking Hollywood stardom. Come to think of it, he has been missing since 1969. That would put him at just about Woodland Hills about now. Is Killgore sure Teri is a she? Seriously, I hope he finds her. We would welcome Pete back with open arms.

Janis Hashe

Los Angeles