Swimming with Wendy

One of my favorite memories of working with Wendy concerns a reported injured turtle just off of Atlantic Beach. It was late summer, and we both arrived at the same time, to see a floating loggerhead just beyond the breakers. Neither of us were dressed for water, so we thought we might ask some of the swimmers if they would possibly go out and see if the turtle needed help. However, not a single person would acknowledge us. So, shrugging our shoulders, we waded in, then swam way out to get the turtle. It was a large juvenile, and although it was lethargic, it was still difficult to pull/push it back to shore. I don't know about Wendy, but I was completely exhausted by the time we reached the beach, after what seemed to be an impossibly long time. Of course, as soon as we pulled the turtle out of the water, people started crowding around, asking questions, etc. Wendy, however, pulled herself up, shook the water from her arms and legs, started answering questions, and directed people to help shade the turtle, while we prepared transport to CMAST for initial veterinary evaluation. Just another example of how nothing can knock her off her game!