Dear Sammy,

What happens to a turtle if you remove its shell?

• Want to Remove A Turtle’s Shell

Dear Want to Remove A Turtle’s Shell,

Oh my! My turtle friend, Fred, is now hiding in his shell! Though, I don’t blame you for this question; I’ve been wondering myself (Sorry Fred!). I mean, what WILL happen? Will he become a shell-less turtle that resembles a lizard? Will he walk faster without that heavy load? Even cooler, will he MORPH into a different creature?

After consulting a professional turtle shell researcher, we learned that because the shell is connected to the skeleton and internal organs, removing a turtle shell will kill it (Yikes!). No wonder Fred went into hiding after hearing this question!

• Sammy the Seagull

Dear Sammy,

My friend's birthday is tomorrow, and I totally forgot to buy a gift! What should I do?

• A Bad Friend

Dear A Bad Friend,

Wow, that really is a “Bad Friend” move. No worries, though! Here are my top three favorite last-minute gifts:

• Subscription Services: Whether it is a streaming subscription, such as Hulu, Disney+, and Sammyflix (get it?), or food services like HelloFresh and Home Chef, these subscription services are bound to get your friend all excited. All you have to do is purchase a subscription that matches your friend’s interests. It wouldn’t make sense to buy them a Barnes & Noble Membership if they absolutely hate reading!
• Food: As long as your dear friend does not have any food allergies, this is the perfect gift for them! I mean, who doesn’t like apple pie?
• Gift Card/Cash: If you are seriously out of time, gift cards and cash might just be your best friend! Recommended amounts for acquaintances are under $20, and for close friends are $25 to $75.
• Sammy the Seagull

Dear Sammy,

I made a huge mistake and I don’t think I can forgive myself. What do you suggest I do?

• Made a Huge Mistake

Dear Made a Huge Mistake,

Well, the solution to this differs for every scenario. For some, fixing the mistake and apologizing might solve it, but for others, this may not be possible. Acknowledging and learning from your mistake is the biggest step in the right direction. If you struggle with moving forward, consider talking it out with a close friend!

• Sammy the Seagull

Anddd, that’s a wrap for Need Help? Ask Sammy! With summer around the corner, I’ll be very busy stealing fries on the beach and swimming with all my seagull buddies. Don’t worry; I shall be back in September. Until then, Sammy the Seagull, signing off!