On Monday, firefighters in Yucca Valley, California, responded to a call for help from two puppies trapped in a turtle burrow. For those of us who are unfamiliar with these ancient desert creatures, the turtles burrow in the soil and sand. And while they are generally terrestrial, they can sometimes dig tunnels up to 30 feet long.
One such cave exists just outside the house in the Yucca Valley that is occupied by a hundred-pound tortoise named Oscar. This particular turtle being cared for by the mother of two puppies is at the heart of today’s story. He was saved from a landfill, and the inspiration for his name was found in Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street – a beloved green trash can monster with a comically grumpy personality.
Desert turtles are herbivores and are generally considered harmless, although their body mass can be intimidating. And intimidation perfectly depicts the demeanor of two shepherd dogs trapped in a cave and unable to find a way out.
Their owners suspect that two famously adventurous puppies played near the cave and found the entrance. Once inside, however, Oscar the Tortoise entered behind them and blocked the only exit. While we’re not sure if the pups would try to move past him, it’s safe to say they were likely intimidated by the size of the docile and placid giant.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they initially tried to lure Oscar out of the cave with a piece of watermelon tied to a long stick. Officials had hoped that if they could move the turtle out of the way, the pups could run out. However, the turtle refused to move and did not succumb to their tricks.
This prompted them to implement their backup plan: dig a sizable hole on the opposite side of the cave to free the trapped puppies. The plan, while not ideal, worked, and in a video released by the San Bernandino County Fire Department, we can see officers reaching into the man-made hole and pulling the animals. puppy out.
Two 5-month-old babies, Peo and Finn, are overjoyed and grateful to be rescued. They showered the firefighters with kisses and hugs before running to their owners, finally reuniting.
All three boys, including Oscar, are now unharmed. The puppies are as adventurous and playful as ever, while Oscar, according to some sources, has yet to move from his resting place in the sunny California desert.
Featured pictures: Facebook
