Turtles (and fostering) are for Pet People Too!
Remember a while back Skeeter was looking to find a home for a turtle, and Stacey helped find a place for it? Well, here is a happy update from Skeeter:
"Here is a picture of 'Miss Tuttle,' the turtle that we are foster parenting for a month. We are going to TN next month, at which time we will drop her off at her new home in Nashville. If you recall, I sent out a cry of help in finding her a new home through the Pet People Blog.
"Stacey responded and found Miss Tuttle a new home through an animal rescue in Nashville. So to me this site is fun as well as helpful with animal problems!
I am so excited about what we did for her today!
"We did not think her pen was large enough. We had said we were not going to get anything larger for her, as we are fostering her temporarily, and we wanted her new owner to get her all set up with a proper pen. But we just could not bear to look at her small pen. So I did some research last night and found out all sorts of great info on Russian Tortoises.
"Today, the Saint and I went to Petsmart and picked up some supplies to make her a new temp home with us. We could not find a plastic container as large as we wanted, so we ended up getting two from Wal-Mart and cutting them down the sides and putting them together to make a large enough container to suit us. We put in the new PetSmart purchases of coconut bark, cypress mulch, Calci-Sand and a hollow log for hiding under. We then made her a warm bath and she loved it! She pooped just as the web-site said she would, and she had her head and legs out the entire time just splashing around! Dirt was coming off of her and we had to drain and add fresh water three times! She pooped twice and was all moist and clean, so we thought she was finished with her bath. We will bathe her once a week per the web-site recommendations. None of us in the family knew you were supposed to give them baths; therefore, Miss Tuttle had never had a bath before!
"I patted her belly dry with a soft towel. Her head stayed out as we talked to her and put her in her new pen. Again, she seemed to love her new home! She looked around and went straight for the hollow log. We thought for sure she would stay there and not come out. Wrong! She took a sprint around her new pen and was checking everything out. We gave her some fresh Romaine lettuce but she was not interested. She took two turns around her little race track of mulch, warm spot lighted sand, bark and through her log. We then put her some hay (which she is familiar with) in the corner of her pen and she made a nice nest under it. We will turn off the warming light and let her go to bed now as she has had a full evening. She is probably tired from all the excitement! I don't know if she has ever walked that much at one time! I am sure it was good exercise for her! I hope she will come out tomorrow and eat,as she has not eaten anything since she was in VA on Monday night. But they can go a while without food, so not to worry.
"Gee, this Foster Parenting a turtle is fun! We may keep her... Nah, she has a new home in Nashville and will be on her way in May. We will make her happy while she is with us as if she were our own though... We love those animals"
NOTE: This is a wonderful example of the joys of being a foster parent to a pet. The Humane Society is ALWAYS in need of foster homes for dogs and cats, so if you can do this for them, you can see by Skeeter's story that it's very fulfilling. The Humane Society pays for vet bills, etc., while the foster home gives food and love! Call them at 648-8042 or visit them on Petfinder: www.clarksvillehumane.petfinder.org!
posted by Sandy at 4/13/2007 11:26:00 AM
Pet People
25 Comments:
Skeeter, to repeat myself from my email, that is one of the sweetist stories I've ever heard. You and hubby are two of the most precious people in the world! You take such loving care of animals. I am still cheerleading you on to keep Miss Tuttle! You are going to have one heck of atime letting her go if you don't. I'm sure the rescue people would be grateful if you did keep her since you already love her and are having so much fun with her. Just my opinion for
Oh, I don't know Pam. Tanya is actually excited about her "new arrival". She emailed me Skeeter's pictures the other day showing off her soon to be turtle. She's not going to be finding her a home, she's keeping Miss Tuttle for herself. And, just think, since this turtle already has a home, that leaves room in Skeeter's home for a needy turtle!!
Well Pam, the thought did cross our minds about keeping Miss Tuttle but then we thought twice. We are keeping her in a room locked up securely away from the cats. They want in that room so bad! We sneak Miss Tuttle in without their knowledge but they know something fun to play with is in that room. Plus we would have to give up on any type of vacation as her spot light would need to be turned on each morning and off each night. I would not consider an automatic timer for fear of a defect and burning down the house with Miss Tuttle and the kitties in it.
The new home that Stacey found for Miss Tuttle (which is her nickname because no one ever named her) is with a rescue but the only difference here is the co-founder of the rescue is keeping Miss Tuttle for herself! I have contacted her and sent her pictures of Miss Tuttle and she is really excited about the addition to her new home. She was so happy I had sent her some pictures to see her “New Baby” as she put it… So I feel fully confident that Miss Tuttle will have a nice home to go to or I would not let her go!
With this turtle it has been easy to be a Foster Parent. Miss Tuttle does not follow me around the house, sit in my lap, give me kisses or any of the normal things a dog or cat can do for us humans. I do not think I could do the same for a cat or dog though. I would get too attached and keep them all and my life as I know it would be over! My life now runs smooth with two cats and a yard full of wild animals and the neighbors visiting dogs. With the Saints job, we could be out of here tomorrow and it would be an easy task for me now. If I had more animals it would be a problem with moving and such. I long for the day we can get back to Clarksville to live because I plan to become very active in the Humane Society there. I want to spear head fund raisers for donations and adoptions. I would foster parent animals if need be and wash dog dishes and clean up poop or what ever is needed. So until that day, I will do whatever I can for animals such as Miss Tuttle but I am not strong enough to Foster Cats and Dogs for now…. I have a story of proof that I will tell you one day on down the line. That being sad, if anyone out there is strong enough to Foster them, it can be very rewarding! My mother in law picks up broken sacks of dog and cat food from grocery stores and takes it to shelters in her area and also washes dishes and cleans pens and what ever they need done. This past Wednesday she had to use laundry detergent to wash the dishes because they were all out of dish washing liquid! How sad. After her work was completed, she went out and picked up a lot of bottles of dish washing liquid so next Wednesday they should have some for her to use. We have stopped giving gifts at Christmas and settle for a token ornament and give money donations to the animals instead. Works great for us all…
Stacey, Skeeter,
That is great the turtle is going to such a good home and will be loved! Tayna must be a neat person.
And Skeeter that is wonderful that you are going to do all that for the Humane Society, I know they will be so grateful to you as they are always in so much need of help. I wish I could do more but I do the best I can and every little bit helps. Also for anyone willing and who can, Cats Are Us are always in need for help too. Poor Suzanne and Gerta work themselves sick taking care of the animals. They have some volunteers too of course but always need more.
Stacey again, thanks for the cool photos of you in your wrench costume! I know you had a blast! And once things calm down a little for Fly Boy and me with a lot going on now I'll have all of you guys over here for a party. It will be fun. Sorry, guys I don't have a hot tub. We almost bought one a couple of months ago but decided against it. Oh well we'll have a great time without it.
Hooray for Skeeter, Stacey, and Miss Turtle. What a great story. It’s great that Skeeter and Saint are doing so much for Miss Turtle. It sounds as Skeeter is all exited about the new adventures of being a foster mom. It seems that the turtle was full of poop before the bath. The warm water must have brought out the best of the turtle. I think I would have poured the bath water on to the garden instead letting it go down the drain. Could have done wonders for the flowers.
Miss. Turtle sounds to be adjusting well to her new soundings. To be up and running around the, “racetrack”, as she calls it is a very good sign. Be careful about the racetrack. If word gets out, Michael Waltrip could show up. It seems he can’t get into any other racetrack. Well maybe not, all bets would be on Miss Turtle. Sorry Michael.
Comrade Skeeter, should have known better than to try give Romaine lettuce to a Russian turtle. It could have upset her delicate little system. Try a little Russian lettuce soaked in Vodka. May I say? One happy Miss Turtle.
When Miss Turtle gets to Tennessee I have to see her. Se ya soon Miss turtle.
Dragon, Hearing how Miss Tuttle pooped a couple of times after being in the warm water it brings a bit of concern about us all being in the hot tub. I mean think how much bigger our Dragon is than that little turtle. If that warm water stimulated that llittle turtle that much but could be in for a mighty nasty tub full. Perhaps we need to think about a cleansing procedure before getting into the water?
Pam, it will be OK. Dragon is Hot Tub trained.
Pam you crack me up! Does anyone have access to any of those space diapers that the crazy woman wore on her way to Florida? Oh, they might look funny with the red butt floss!
Dragon, Put your glasses on, her name is Miss ‘Tuttle’ and aren’t we all full of poop? Her little poop was so small it was not enough to bother with flower garden fertilizer! I like the idea of the vodka soaked lettuce but I will keep that recipe for me and not Miss Tuttle because she may jump out of her play pen on turn two! She cannot eat iceberg lettuce! I found that rather odd. She eats romaine, red leaf, kale, collards, turnip and mustard greens! She can also eat dandelions but not from our yard because we fertilized the grass and it may harm her to eat them now. She likes Hosta plants also so now the deer will have competition because they like them too!
We were in Petco today and they had Russian Tortoises! They were smaller then Miss Tuttle and cost $80.00! I may get her a Mr. Tuttle and bred her butt and make some money! Na, just kidding but I was shocked at the price!
Stacey the wench picture was great! Dragon would love to see your Red Rose! Guinevere would have to douse him in cold water afterwards! Hum, I doubt poop would be coming out of him… Okay, I am being bad and I will stop now….
Just wanted to update you all. Trouble has FIP, feline infectious perontonitis. It is uncurable and fatal. Blood tests confirmed it. Hubby and I have consulted with Dr. Sykes and feel it would be most humane to euthanize Trouble. The disease will only progress and get worse. We'll be with her to send her into the Light. Thanks for all the prauers and good wishes. She will be missed.
Alice, I send my sympathy for your heartbreak with Trouble. Bud, my former hunting dog, is already in the light. He will help Trouble any way he can.
Alice,I am so very sorry for you and Trouble! Since she is already blind and you know her quality of life is only getting worse it is probably the kindest thing you can do. Still that is the hardesd decison and my prayers are still with you all! God bless you and give you comfort through the coming days. I know you will miss your kitty. ALl of our pets that have gone on will be there along with Dragon's Bud to greet your sweet girl.
I too am so sorry for your loss Alice but as Pam mentioned, it is best for Troubles…. Pets rely on us to take care of them and to let them go at the proper time. It is always hard to let go but we know it is the best thing to do for the babies. Does not make it any easier but know that we share in your pain today... May God take care of your baby forever in that great big green field in the sky!
Alice,
My heart is heavy for you as I know how hard this is for you and your hubby. I know nothing will make this any easier but just know that your friends here are thinking of you. Some people might think it silly to be so attached to our pets but they just don't know the amazing, unconditional love they are missing out on. Again, I am so sorry. Trouble is blessed to have you taking such good care of her and showing her so much love.
Shannon
MY felings are hurt...I didn't get wench pictures. What is the world coming to???
Hey, I don't have a hot tub but I have a pool(not the little blue plastic one either) so count me in for hostessing a pool party once it stops being rainy and freezing cold!!
Skeeter, you big sweetie. I love how you jumped in and helped with Miss Tuttle. I have never had a turtle but she sounds very interesting. How lucky she is to have people like you willing to help her.
ok I can't spell..that was supposed to be "feelings"...and yes...I am still hurt....
O'malley/Shannon, honey, don't have hurt feelings over not getting wench photos. Skeeter and I begged for them so that is why we got them. I'm sure Stacey will be happy to share with you too if you just ask. By the way they were so cool! Stacey's hubby had to be happy with the cleavege rose, it was Hot!!!! I told Stacey I think he was ready to go bobbing for roses!
and on that pool party don't be jumping into that too soon as some of us aren't ready to be in a bathing suit just yet. Maybe we can start out with just a coctail party? I think we can all handle one of those don't you? But girl, don't be upset we're all friends here and noone will be left out that wants to be included. Right all?
Oh yea, Shannon, as you can see I can't spell either,ha. We all type too fast or at least I assume,because that is what I do. I am not the greatist typist. I try to keep up with what I want to say and I think fast most of the time and I just can't keep up with my fingers so it comes out mispelled.
Okay, Shannon O'Malley, send your email address to Sandy and have her send it to me, and I will send you wench photos too! They are not that wenchy, Pam exaggerates. I was not trying to hurt your feelings, but yes, Pam and Skeeter pestered me for them until I could no longer resist. But, be warned, that means you have to send me a picture back of you. So there!
Alice, I too offer my hugs for you and Trouble. My Dixie is right there with Dragon's Bud to look after her. And Dixie loved her cat brothers, so she will take good care of her. Take comfort in knowing that you gave her a wonderful life here with you and your family. And now you are doing the right thing for her.
Thank you all for your condolences. It's wonderful to be able to share such sorrow with others who undrstand that Trouble was not "just a cat." Dr. Sykes and the staff at Animal House were so kind and understanding. And knowing that trouble will be in such loving company with all of your departed family makes my heart a little less heavy.
Now I have a concern for Scooter. No, he is not ill but Trouble was his best buddy. They played together, watched birds together and now he is all alone. Larry, senior cat, wants nothing to do with Scooter except to occasionally hump him. Scooter does not find that fun. So, I am considering getting a friend for Scooter. I have my eye on Toby at Cats R Us. Scooter is almost 2 years old and Toby is less than a year. Toby is also a black cat as is Scooter. Is the age difference too great? I really need a fiesty cat who will play with Scooter. I was hooing a younger one would still be kittenish. Of course, I will love whomever we find. I have a coffee cup with the slogan, "One can never have TOO many cats". I am not trying to replace Trouble. No one could. But we have the room and desire to help a cat and also help Scooter find a new buddy.
Has anyone met Toby? My hubby and I plan to visit Cats R Us on Wednesday. Since I can't drive anymore, we have to do things around his work schedule. Anyway, I am looking forward to meeting Toby and hoping for the best. I made my hubby promise not to let me bring home more than one no matter how much I beg and plead. Right now, three dogs and three cats is about our limit.
Oh Alice, yes you should get another cat for your Scooter! Nothing will ever replace your Troubles as my two girls have never replaced Skeeter but they do fill a void in my heart. As you said, you have room so go for it! If my conditions were different, I would have a dozen animals but as I mentioned before, the time is not right in my life for more now…
Wow, you are a great person to love and care for so many animals!
O’malley, I have not had much experience with turtles until now. As a child we would find turtles in the veggie garden. We would take fingernail polish and paint a small number on their shell and race them! We would play with them for the day and let them continue on in the wild. We were dumb kids to pester the turtle, what can I say? Last fall a turtle came through our yard and I had recently bought a book on reptiles. Once identifying him as an Eastern Box turtle, I found out they eat worms so I dug one up from my flower garden and dangled it in front of the turtle and I swear he ate it! He then went under some brush for a nap then was gone the next morning. That was all I knew about turtles until getting involved with Miss Tuttle the Russian Tortoise in my temporary care… Today she came out of her nest of mulch and hay and ate some kale and then basked in the warm sun as if she were at the beach! She is indeed fun to observe…
Alice, we all understand, of course you aren't trying to replace you precious Trouble but are trying to help your Scooter to get through the loss. We did the same thing with our Samantha when we lost our Cosette. Samantha would go from room to room and cry and sniff everything, she missed Cosette so much! So we adopted Brittany from Cats Are Us. Brittany was too much for Samantha to handle as far as playing so we decided we needed another playmate for Brittany so we adopted Courtney. It was the best thing ever for everyone. Samantha had all the companionship she wanted by watching Brittany and Courtney play yet they left her alone. I don't think the age difference will matter since Scooter is still as young as he is. You are so wonderful to be giving little Toby a loving home he needs so much and sibblings too. God bless you for that. Hey tell Suzanne and Gerta I said I highly reccommend you as parents too, they are my dear friends! If you just say Pam, they will know exzactly who you are talking about. And Alice, I'm like you, if there was a way possible I would have dozens more animals but I can't. Just remember how much good yoou are doing as it is.
Stacey girl, I did not exaggerate, your costume is authentic looking, a wench you truly look like. When Shannon sees it she will agree. It looks as if you should be tossing about pints of ale all around!
haha...I wasn't mad Stacey, just joking around. I DO want to see the picture tho. Maybe when we have our cocktail party you can wear it and toss pints of ale around as Pam says.
Alice I think it would be wonderful for you to get a playmate for Scooter. You would definitley be turning your grief into something very positive. I know your grief won't go away nor your love for Trouble, but it might help to make this sad time a little easier for you.
Alice, I am so sorry about Trouble, but I commend you for wanting to get a buddy for Scooter. I would do the same thing. I often think of what will happen when Catfish or Tarzan go, as they are best buddies.
When you go to Cats Are Us, tell them what your situation is, and what you are looking for. Toby might be the right one, but then again, maybe they will know of a different cat more suited to be a buddy. Since they spend so much time with the cats there, they know their personalities inside and out and know which like to cuddle with other cats.
After Yogi died, I thought I'd want to find a cat that looked like him, but when I went to Cats Are Us, I fell for Catfish who is nothing like Yogi. As Suzanne at Cats Are Us says, a cat will pick YOU out, not the other way around! Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Miss Tuttle likes hibiscus flowers and their greens. I actually bought her a plant yesterday! It was in my basket while shopping in the garden center in Lowes. Several people asked me where I found it in the center. I almost told them I was getting it for a turtle but I doubt anyone would have understood that so I just told them where to find the plants! She ate one of the flower blooms last night!
I will plant it in the yard once she leaves us and hope it will survive our Zone here in GA. Cannot keep it in the house because the girls will eat it then I will have to clean up their barf mess!
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