Shannon Cutts

Day 260: That Redfoot Tortoise Tongue

When you are born round on all sides, there are no bad angles. All your sides are good sides. All perspectives are equally photogenic. And if that wasn’t already enough – then you open up your adorable round redfoot tortoise mouth (which is located right below your adorable round nostrils) and show the world yourContinueContinue reading “Day 260: That Redfoot Tortoise Tongue”

Day 259: Cockatiel Rules the Roost

When you are born covered in feathers, “ruling the roost” is a pretty big deal. In short, you want to be the one doing it. There are many time-honored methods to accomplish this goal, but one of the finest is also the simplest. It is called “cuteness.” When you are the cutest flock member, youContinueContinue reading “Day 259: Cockatiel Rules the Roost”

Day 258: The Box Turtle and the Croc

Wearing a shell on your back is like walking around carrying a sign that reads “I was here before you were!” Not many beings can say they predated pretty much everything but the Big Bang and bacteria. However, there are a few modern-day individuals who are still around to represent, among them turtles and tortoises,ContinueContinue reading “Day 258: The Box Turtle and the Croc”

Day 257: Tortoise Transforms Into the Lettuce Pirate

As everyone knows, the annual “Day O’ Treats” is fast approaching. But in order to get the most treats, you have to dress up as something really fearsome. This way, the other beings will become paralyzed with fear when you approach. They will then drop their treats and you can scarf them up. For expediency’sContinueContinue reading “Day 257: Tortoise Transforms Into the Lettuce Pirate”

Day 256: Cockatiel Makes a Bed Nest

If there is one task all feathered beings excel at, it is multi-tasking. After all, when you hire a large featherless being for your assistant, someone has to be able to multi-task. And it certainly won’t be your assistant. Plus, being able to step back and see the bigger picture allows you to spot “win-win”ContinueContinue reading “Day 256: Cockatiel Makes a Bed Nest”

Day 255: Box Turtle on a Hay Pile

Here in Texas, hay is a staple…..at least for the large shell-less beings. But when you wear a shell on your back, hay is a less obvious choice. In most cases, you naturally gravitate towards leaf litter, greenery and good old-fashioned brown dirt. But there are certain style advantages to a nice round pile ofContinueContinue reading “Day 255: Box Turtle on a Hay Pile”

Day 254: Tortoise Has Resting Blackberry Face

In the world of the large shell-less beings, there is such a thing as “table manners.” Talk about a totally outdated concept. If you really like something, the best reward is to show it. The chef will be happy, the delicacy will be delighted, and you will experience excellent digestion by making each meal aContinueContinue reading “Day 254: Tortoise Has Resting Blackberry Face”

Day 253: Cockatiel Is Born to Boogie

Everyone knows that beings with feathers enjoy singing. It is a natural talent. You don’t even need accompaniment to sound good – heck, great! When you sing softly you sound fabulous. When you sing loudly you sound even more fabulous. Just one note from your cute curved cockatiel beak and all the large featherless beingsContinueContinue reading “Day 253: Cockatiel Is Born to Boogie”

Day 252: Box Turtle Gets Rescued

Wearing a shell on your back is a great defensive strategy. But sometimes the state of the world today is such that you need more than just your shell to be truly safe. When this happens, it can be smart to look for a large shell-less rescue mama. Of course, to do this you areContinueContinue reading “Day 252: Box Turtle Gets Rescued”

Day 251: A Red Dotted Tortoise

Life in an interspecies flock near-guarantees you will soon discover you are more alike than different…and often in some quite startling ways. Take favorite colors, for instance. Everyone in your little flock has one (although in some cases, there is no accounting for taste). Your large shell-less assistant loves anything in blue. Boring. Your smallContinueContinue reading “Day 251: A Red Dotted Tortoise”