What a cute story! I've never seen such a BIG painted turtle - the only ones I've seen are the little quarter-size dime-store pets. sure is handsome! I love the expression on Mini's face too - what a good girl to leave it alone.
There was a big turtle sitting outside our kennel fence once for a couple days, and Sherman dug & dug & dug, trying to reach under the fence at it, but it was a smart turtle too and kept its distance!