Oreo the tortoise is home safe and sound after an escape from his Newmarket backyard that defied the slow-moving stereotype.
His owner, Tony Cheng, is relieved and happy after a frantic search for the beloved pet that had appeared to have moved pretty briskly to go on an adventure beyond the yard's fence on Oct. 21.
“I was nervous, disappointed, and couldn’t sleep all night thinking about him,” said Cheng. “When we lost him, the weather was still not bad. The weather was 20 (C) at night and 10 degrees after that. The weather right now is cold. I (was) sure he (wouldn't) survive in this temperature.”
Cheng has owned Oreo — named after the cookie by his children — for two years. He published a post on a Facebook group, York Region Lost and Found Animals, which has more than 11,000 members.
Cheng searched the neighbourhood, put up posters and asked for help his neighbours. His back yard neighbour showed him footage from his video surveillance of the turtle digging underneath his fence to escape.
Cheng said he was scared and worried because he thought Oreo may have crossed the street, explored the community, and maybe was hiding somewhere.
Oreo's escapade came to an end two days later, when Cheng’s neighbours saw him and returned him.
Cheng is a strong advocate for turtles as pets, which are low maintenance and can live 80 to 150 years.
“They will live a long life,” said Cheng. “I want to pass my turtle on to my grandson.”
