The morning we left Turino, I met a man from Michigan in the hotel lobby.  He told me that his two sons live in Nashville.  Small world.  He asked if I had seen the "turtle" in the hotel garden.  I told him no, and he pointed the animal out. He was told by the hotel staff that the animal is 40 years old.  I suspect it is a tortoise.  If anyone knows it's identity, please leave a comment.