Phlash is a red-eared slider turtle. Debi has had Phlash since 1959. They were $0.25 at the dime store, and because so many kids and parents did not know that the sliders had to be able to get out of the water to avoid softshell, so they mostly died.

Max life expectancy for a red-eared slider in captivity is about 35 years with decent care. Phlash, at 66 years old, may be the oldest one in the US. My brother tracked down the woman who ran the national turtle society. She had a turtle, same type, which was about 57 years old. She was nice, and perhaps not happy that her turtle was not the oldest known one. Debi has had Phlash continuously since Debi was 8 years old. He loves music, animal screensavers, goldfish as entertainment and as an occasional Sushi treat. His sign is obviously Pisces and he likes long days bathing in the artificial sunlight. He is not currently in a committed relationship. He swims forwards and backwards.

photo credit – Lenny Frieling

Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
  • Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
  • Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
  • Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
  • Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
  • Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
  • Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
  • LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
  • http://www.Lfrieling.com
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