TortoiseForum.org

I grew up with a siberian husky and have always been interested in mammals. As a young kid I was the one running at top speed at the sight of any type of reptile or bug.
More recent times now...got married to a beautiful caring person with horrid allergies. Had 3 human boys...Still felt like having a pet for the kids to help care for and receive the unconditional affection from was an important part of growing up.
We had a corn snake, then rankin beardie, then fat tailed gecko.
When the corn died our son wanted something that was opposite of a snake so that it would not be compared to his beloved corn.
After researching turts and torts we landed on the tortoise. He held several at the pet store adn after much thought we brought home our first tortoise.
We adore Calvin (our greek). He is comical yet relaxing to watch and hang out with.
I agree with all of you, they make you slow down, relax and enjoy the simple things...like it or not

In 1997 I started working at a vet hospital that has an exotics specialist. In this area we have a real problem with box turtles trying to sun themselves on the pavement. People hit them with cars, sometimes on purpose I believe, & good samaritans bring them to the hospital. We had several at the hospital being medicated, needing soaking,etc. The other techs were aggravated with having to take care of them cause they weren't interested in them so I asked the vet if I could bring them home where they could have the proper heat and better care...I was never sure they got proper care on my days off!! I had one with a feeding tube cause his face was broken. He got meds and baby food thru the tube. They heal sooo slowly. I had him 2 years before he finally gave up on himself & died. I cried for several days.Since then I have rehabed several others. I think it was '99 when I went to my first Reptile Show & fell in love with all of them. We had had 2 Sulcatas that weighed about 125 lb each at the hospital. My first tort purchase was a hatchling Sulcata. The same year but next show I got a Redfoot. She is beautiful. I now have 3 torts/turts in rehab & 10 more of my own. They kept me sane last year when I had both my hips & a knee replaced.
Patsy