Emergency Vet: Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald
Animal: Pete
Sometimes wishes are granted in unexpected ways. "I always wanted a turtle," says Clayton Bridges, "and now I have one!" The five-year-old stumbled onto Pete in a vacant lot, but luck may actually be on the turtle's side. He has a mysterious hole in his shell that needs repairing, and a visit to Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald is the first perk of being a new pet.
For Clayton and his mother Cindy, the doctor's diagnosis is disturbing — Pete has been shot with a pellet gun. Luckily, there is a simple way to repair the damage. Using a repair kit meant for automotive bodywork, Dr. Fitzgerald covers the hole with fiberglass. In about a year, the box turtle's shell will grow together and push off the temporary patch.
Back at home, Clayton's new pet is proof that wishes do come true — for Pete's sake, as well as his own.