The animals, once frightened, starved or sick are well-fed and content. You can see it in the way they interact with their adopted family. They know they are safe and loved.It was a bright sunny day when we visited the Braile ranch. Nestled in a quiet street off the main highway we missed the property the first time around. As we were preparing to drive round the circle a second time we saw one of two large faux stone tortoises in the front yard of one of the houses move. What we had mistaken for garden statues were actually two live Galapagos Island tortoises sunning themselves in the noonday sun. Galapagos Island tortoises live to be 100-150

years, weigh up to 600 pounds and grow to four feet in length. The two in the front yard of the Braile house, Mary Anne and Gilligan, are now 15 years old and weigh between 200-250 lbs. In winter they live in the basement of the house but getting them through the doors is already astruggle because of their size and weight. Also, the basement is now filling up with rabbits, chinchillas and other smaller animals which will make it a tight squeeze as these creatures get bigger and bigger. Dr. Braile knows he has to think of alternative winter housing for these large reptiles soon. Build another shelter or remodel? New York native Bobby and Chicago

born Evelyn met in Cocoa Beach, Florida.