As a kid, I was pretty obsessed with turtles. I begged my parents to let me have one as a pet, dragging them to where the hard-shelled creatures sat in the pet store. It was no use - my mother refused. “They smell terrible ,” she said, “and I know you're not going to be cleaning that tank.” I wailed. “Plus, they live forever. We don't want to get stuck with it when you go to college or if you change your mind.” The words stung, but later, I'd know that she was right. Instead of housing a turtle…