“Slow and steady.”
That’s the phrase caretaker Caitlin Dolan uses to describe Tiptoe the Turtle, a Palisades local celebrity and internet celebrity, and the community she loves.
The 23-year-old African tortoise was originally given to 7-year-old Dolan as a Christmas present. It was the birth of a Palisades icon.
At the time, he was no bigger than a new iPhone. Since then, he’s grown to a whopping 175 pounds and amassed an even more impressive internet following.
Dolan, who lives in Marina del Rey, drove to the Palisades the morning of the fire after her mother called her and said she had seen smoke rising in the area.
Ms Tiptoe had historically lived in the specially built backyard of Dolan’s childhood home (now gone) and required immediate evacuation.
A few hours later, Dolan, with help, loaded the Tiptoe and escaped from the Palisades.
This is the story of Tiptoe, a beloved turtle rescued from the Palisades Fire.
“It might be a little difficult to get him into the car,” Dolan said. “But we have a huge dog crate that’s great, so we stuffed him in there.”
Tiptoe is now living safely in Marina del Rey, “soaking in vitamin D.”
“He loves life,” Dolan said.
For more than a decade, this giant turtle has been beloved by neighbors, friends, and tourists alike throughout the Palisades.
“Tipto has been walking the streets of the Palisades since 2010,” Dolan said. “It’s really hard for people not to stop when you’re walking down the road with turtles… You have to ask some questions.”
Tiptoe frequented the local YMCA, area parks, and even several schools.
Several residents also planted flowers and gardens specifically for the turtles.
“There’s a particular woman named Sandra who lives down the street and she actually goes into her backyard to feed Tiptoe’s strawberries, any day of the week,” Dolan said. “She got to go see Toe and feed Toe. It was a very special connection.”
Tiptoe was a catalyst for connection and “the lifeblood of the party” among communities, Dolan recalled.
“We put a little cup on his back and tried to throw a ping pong ball into it, but he was very fast and it was a difficult game. My house is definitely a house that throws a lot of parties. And Tipteau was present for all of it,” Dolan said. “He will be part of the crew and part of the cleaning crew.”
The family has lived and worked in the area since the 1930s. Despite their best efforts, Dolan’s parents and grandparents across the street lost their homes.
The turtle has amassed an impressive following on social media, with 4.6 million followers on Tiktok, 355,000 followers on Instagram, and 390,000 subscribers on YouTube. Dolan said she plans to use her platform to help both her family and the community she loves in any way she can.
“I had this platform and I was given this opportunity,” Dolan said.
