We have the treatment down pat for these emaciated, floating turtles.  They need fluids, food, vitamins, and usually antibiotics,
in addition to a safe place to lay their heads.

Jay recently "talked" to Karen Sota, turtle whisperer, and here is what she had to say.

Karen Sota: Good morning, Jay.

KS: You’re so smart. I told you last week that you’re next on my interview list. Are you ready?

KS: Do you know why you’re here?

J: Oh yeah. I relive the whole event every time I see Gayle Childress on Wednesdays. I didn’t get to take my winter vacation because of her.

J: I guess I was pretty sick. Just getting enough air into my lungs was taking all the energy I had. It was wheeze, cough and float. And I was starving. Finally I just let the tides carry me: in and out, in and out, in and...

J: Well I was sick of the sea myself, at that point. I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep, but all the pounding was keeping me awake.

J: There were workers repairing the docks behind Paradise Island, in Sneads Ferry, where I had floated. After watching me bob up and down all day Jason Schindler knew something was wrong, that I wasn’t’ just admiring his work. He asked Chuck Mercer to get some help for me and that’s when Gayle got involved.

J: I might have escaped, but those crazy humans in the pontoon boat were determined to corral me. I didn’t make it easy for them, though. Right away I made Gayle jump in the water. But it was way over her head and she couldn’t get to me. They went to Plan B: they coaxed me into shallower water where Jason grabbed me and hoisted me into the boat.

J: They loaded me into the back of Don Mercer’s truck and off we went. I was really hoping to ride in Gayle’s little sports car, maybe listen to some music, my flippers flapping in the breeze. But I digress. At the hospital Ms. Jean said I was “another Barnacle Bill turtle.” I didn’t understand that, because I’m obviously a lady turtle and Bill is a boy’s name, and I didn’t have that many barnacles on me.

J: You kept me warm, gave me antibiotic and vitamin shots (and they really hurt, by the way) and fed me as much as I wanted. I figured out real fast that I could get a boatload of fish and squid just by smiling at you. I’ll admit that I used my looks to my advantage.

J: After my rescuer, Jason. But since I’m a lady it got shortened to Jay. I’m thinking of changing it to “J” once I’m back in the ocean.

J: I kind of like being around the “kids” all day, Briggy, Southport, Holden and the Nubbins. Maybe I should think seriously about settling down and having some of my own. I don’t know if I’m quite ready this year, but it won’t be too much longer before I start looking for my natal beach and dig my first nest. Do you think Gayle will drive me to the release in her convertible, with the top down, maybe play some songs by “The Turtles?”