It has been a week since we adopted Aesop, our desert tortoise.

I must admit that I initially thought that tortoises were rather boring.  But, Aesop is anything but.

our desert tortoise (Aesop)

Our backyard is fairly big and Aesop has been busy exploring every nook and cranny.

Yesterday, I had a rare day where I was able to sit at my computer and write all day.  When I would pause now and then to look outside, I often saw Aesop making his way across the lawn toward his favorite clump of shrubs or sitting eating grass.

In the afternoon, when I looked out the window to see where he was, I was surprised to see him on the patio, looking in the window at me!

Besides hanging out underneath our shrubs and eating grass, Aesop likes to drink water and has even tried some cilantro.

Last evening, we were alerted to Aesop’s presence by our smallest dog, Tobey, who gets very excited whenever he sees him walking.  But this time, Tobey seem extra agitated.

When I looked out the window, I saw Aesop entertaining a visitor…

One of the feral cats who visit our garden from time to time, was standing a couple of feet away from Aesop.  It was obvious that the cat had never seen a tortoise before and didn’t quite know what to make of him.

Aesop didn’t seem intimidated by the cat’s presence as he was busy eating grass.

We are enjoying Aesop’s adventures and are so happy with our decision to adopt him!

Meet “Aesop” Our Sonoran Desert Tortoise