Posted by Bob301 at dialup-171.75.6.142.dial1.phoenix1.level3.net on June 12, 2003 at 04:28:25:
Today, my turtle died. For those of you who were not fortunate enough to keep turtles as pets, I will tell you that they are not cold, they are not slimy, and they are not unfriendly. Quite to the contrary, Mike (my turtle) was very active and playful. She (yes, she) was always moving, loved swimming and basking, and only bit me one time in the 11 years I have kept her.
We met on a sunny day. She was about the size of a silver dollar, and she was crossing a sidewalk in South Carolina. There were no ponds, streams, or rivers nearby that I knew of, so I took her home. I put her into a goldfish bowl, filled it with water, and added some driftwood for a basking area. I began feeding her with lettuce, carrots, celery, and other vegetables, with a little red meat thrown in now and again. As Mike grew (and I grew) I bought her a larger aquarium. I started with a 10-gallon, but moved all the way to a 60-gallon two years ago. Today, I was going to install a waterfall and new basking area, I noticed that Mike wasn't moving. She had died sometime this morning.
Mike has been with the family for 11 yeas. We packed up and moved 6 times during her stay with us, and she would always ride in the car with us. Mike was very good around children, never biting or hissing. She got along with the dogs and the goldfish. I can't remember how many times I came home upset, and saw Mike lying on her heat-rock, legs out, head up, not a care in the world. That really helped to calm me down. Her favorite food was ReptoMin floating food sticks. I kept the container right next to the aquarium, and whenever she was hungry, she would bang the glass behind the food with her shell, then head for the water. She also like a turtle treat I bought at the local food store. I don't know what it was, but it smelled like roses.
Mike has been like a rock to this family- always there, never complaining, dependable and only a minor inconvenience when it came to moving (do you know how many hotels don't allow turtles in the bedrooms?). I am going to finish this aquarium of yours, and dedicate it to you. I will give another turtle the home you always deserved. I hope you are happy wherever you are. You certainly deserve it.