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June 5, 2007

Jeremee Buller's released box turtle finds its way back

By Tippi Rasp Staff Writer

HILLSDALE — Six-year-old Jeremee Buller gives a big toothless grin when he talks about what he typically fed a box turtle that turned up at his grandparents house last July 3.

“Crickets and stink bugs,” Buller said.

Buller and his box turtle, Junior, had a big day last Fourth of July after the Bullers found the turtle on their front porch an hour before the town’s Fourth of July festivities, which included turtle races.

Jeremee, who lives in Lahoma but visits his grandparents in Hillsdale, took the turtle, and he and Junior won every race of the day.

They also played on the merry go ‘round, swings and the slide.

“Jeremee played with him all day and was so proud,” Leona Buller, his grandma, said.

Jeremee’s grandpa, Harold Buller, painted an orange “J” on Junior’s shell, and a few days later, Jeremee decided to let the turtle go.

“Many tears were shed and he kept saying that he sure hoped the turtle was safe,” Leona Buller said. “Jeremee tried to be very brave but really began to cry.”

Jeremee’s grandma says her grandson has asked about Junior a number of times since last summer. Jeremee always is eager, she said, to point out the exact spot where he released the turtle.

Last weekend Harold Buller called his grandson with a surprise — the box turtle with a barely visible orange “J” was in his back yard. Buller captured the turtle and waited for Jeremee.

Jeremee spent another couple of days with Junior, then released him to find his own food.

“He told Grandpa to be sure to call him and let him know if the turtle would return again,” Leona Buller said. “Maybe he will appear again in time for the Fourth of July turtle race.”

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