In her introduction to Samantha Glen’s “Best Friends: The True Story of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary,” Mary Tyler Moore wrote, “When I look into the eyes of my dog, Shadow, I see such love, such acceptance. Animals may not be able to communicate in our language, but their goodness transcends the barrier of words in a way that to me is spiritual.”

Moore praised the book’s stories about the dogs, cats, horses, birds, sheep, pigs, and rabbits cared for at Best Friends, which was established by a group of men and women who turned some raw land in the wilds of southern Utah into one of the world’s most beloved sanctuaries. “Get ready to laugh and cry, be deeply touched, and fall in love with all the delightful creatures whose stories emblazon the pages and trumpet the belief of Best Friends that kindness is the answer: to the animals; to one another; and to the planet we all share,” Moore wrote.

After reading “Best Friends,” I agreed with Moore’s reaction to this book that I read 20 years ago.

When I read “Of Time And Turtles” recently, I thought Moore would have felt the same way about the Turtle Rescue League in Southbridge, Mass. — a combination turtle hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, and rescue headquarters.

TRL is located in a suburban house, where courageous and dedicated staff and volunteers have rescued and cared for sick and injured turtles whose shells were crushed by cars; turtles........

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