Last night I get a phone call from my troubled friend. She had been arrested for shoplifting and was at the police station. She needed a ride back to her car. Before I left my house I looked over at my turtle tank. I have a heat lamp on the top of the cage to keep him nice and warm. I thought to myself “I should turn that light off” but I didn’t. I left it on. I thought it would be fine I would only be gone about 30 minutes.

I left my house and picked up my crying friend and took her to her car. I didn’t feel bad for her as she had brought this on herself and has done this sort of thing in the past. Anyway I dropped her off and headed home. As I was unlocking my front door to my house I smelled smoke. I thought it was my neighbor’s fire place. As I opened my door I realized it was not. One of my cats had jumped on the turtle tank and ripped the netting allowing the heat lamp to fall in the tank and start the wood chips on fire!! HOLY CRAP!!! My entire house was filled with smoke. I opened all the windows and scooped out the smoldering wood chips from the tank. Surprisingly the turtle and cat were both well. I have 3 smoke detectors and none of them were going off. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if I had been gone longer then I was. My head stills hurts from the strong smell of smoke I had to sleep with last night.

The moral of this story is ALLWAYS trust your first instinct.

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chilli said:

	... Holy Crap indeed !!!!you are soooooo lucky kellybeth....God musta bin with you that day.....and youre so right....always follow your instinct.
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February 06, 2008
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ceejay said:

	... YIKES! I'm so glad you and your cat and your turtle are okay!!!! And yeah - you're right!! Trust that first instinct!!! I remember you posting before aobut this friend - right? THe one who took meds from you? I hope this is the wake-up call she needs to get some help! You are a true-blue friend!
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February 06, 2008
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Kira said:

	... Yikes! That is some story! I was on the edge of my seat! I am so glad it turned out okay, if not a tad stinky...how's the turtle? (Sorry, couldn't resist).....
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February 06, 2008
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Kira said:

	... Ooops just realized I missed a sentence and that the turtle is fine!!! My daughter has a HUGE turtle who is like 16 years old or something and she is very attatched to it. Glad everything turned okay.....
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February 06, 2008
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Kellybeth said:

	... Yes Ceejay taht is the same friend from before. I do hope this will be a wake up call for her. I am kinda glad she was finally caught. I work hard everyday for my money and she feels she doesn't need a job and can just steal from others. Hopefully this will help her see that this behavier is NOT ok. Ps.. The turtle is still doing well. ;)
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February 07, 2008
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