My sad story to warn other (Another sad dog/tortoise story)

Bogie=babyDINO

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I never thought I would be writing one of these horribly sad stories. My Tortoise, Bogart, was my child. I loved him so much its been too painful to speak about this. I stopped coming on tortoise forum because I was afraid of ridicule. I feel I should tell my story to warn others and help myself heal.

Bogart was my 1 year old sulcata tortoise that I was obsessed with! 2 soaks every day, wonderful diet, perfect 4 temps, 3 by 6 insulated enclosure, outdoor exercise playpen. Everything I could do for his health I would do it and a BIG thanks to everyone on here that showed me how, especially Tom!

Anyway I work at an animal hospital where a man brought in a German shepherd, one years old, and told us to euthanize her. He was convince she was part coyote and a danger to people. This dog was a wild wreck, growling and snarling. After the doctor tried to educate the owner on training tips and rescue groups it was clear he abbuses this dog and truly believe she needs to be put down. My heart went out to this scared puppy and I told the man I know someone who works with aggressive dogs and can rehome her. Reluctantly he signed her over to me. The trainer I was speaking of was my boyfriend at the time. Fast forwarding a month or so, Abby, was being rehabilitate at my boyfriends house where I would visit her often. She bonded with me over the weeks but continued have a very hard time learning to trust men. She ended up biting my boyfriend and his brother. I quickly saw this type of aggressive dog was out of my boyfriends skill level. He turned resentful of Abby but I would defend her. We broke up and he told me he is done with Abby. I boarded her at a facility but $30 a day was adding up quickly. I posted pictures of her all over the internet explaining her story and frantically trying to find her a home. I couldn't take her home to my parents house where we have 2 dogs, 5 cats, and Bogart. Abby didn't do well at the boarding place. They would call me several times saying she is hysterical. When I would visit her she would love on me like I was her saving grace. She knew she could trust me and everyone else terrified her. My mom and I found a few homes but she wouldn't warm up to them. It got to the point where I was out of options and out of money. I drove her to the pound crying knowing they would put her to sleep. The pound told me they were full and since I've been caring for her for 2 weeks she is considered my dog. My parents were not too happy when I brought her home with a dog kennel and told them I have no where to take her. She slept in the kennel and I would run her everyday to keep her energy down. Over months, Abby learned to socialize with our other dogs, cats, and people while I continued to look for a home. Whenever Bogart was in his playpen on the side of the house I made sure the fence was secure. Abby knew he was back there but left the fence alone. Having faith in that 4 foot fence was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. One day before school I put Bogart out in his playpen and I normally kept abby in her kennel while he was out but it was terribly hot that day and I felt horrible keeping her in her kennel for several hours. I let her out and places the lawn chairs and rocks blocking bogarts fence just in case. I left for school with a good feeling Bogart would be safe and abby is free to play in her pool if she wanted to. I underestimate the fence, my barricade, and most importantly Abby. I got home and went into the backyard to check on everyone and Abby's paws were bloody. I freaked out and immediately thought she hurt herself. She ran away and brought me back the source of the blood and I screamed at the horrendous sight of my baby Bogart. Brings me to tears now and I've been morning him for 6 months. She had demolished the wood fencing and my barricade. I cryed for hours and hours! It was my fault and there is nothing I can do to take it back!! My message to everyone who owns a dog and a tortoise. I do not care if your dog is friendly, ignores the tortoise and pays no attention, DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the danger of them living together! Please take precautions.

I miss Bogart everyday! Who would have thought such a little innocent creature could steal my Heart the way he did. Abby is still here. I eventually healed enough to forgive her and continue her training. She shouldn't be punished for my mistakes. Abby is a very well behaved family dog now. Loves hiking and biking with me almost everyday. My parents have grown to love her also so we stopped looking for a home. Bogart gave his life and Abby was able to live. I'm so hurt by my ignorant mistake. I'll always remember my baby bogart. There will be no more tortoises for me until Abby passes then maybe I'll rescue one that needs saving like abby did. Bogart taught me how amazing tortoise are! I might not be able to own one but I donate and support rescues that save them!

This is my story and thank you for taking the time to read it. Its scarred upon my heart.
 
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JoesMum

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Oh dear. Yet another story of dogs and torts not mixing :(

I am so sorry for your loss. Big electronic hug from me.

I can only reiterate that dog owners must never trust their dog with their tortoise no matter how friendly the dog is. It seems that tortoises are irresistible to dogs :(
 

wellington

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So very sorry. Try not to be too hard on yourself. You didn't do it on purpose. You were trying to save an abused animal, thank you for that. As said above, for no reason ever can they be trusted. Even fences, as you have come to realize can't be trusted to keep a dog away from what it wants.
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sure it was devastating then and now, but it needed to be told.
Hope some day you can forgive yourself enough to bring a another tortoise into your life.
Again, so very sorry.
 

cmacusa3

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I'm sorry for your loss but thank you for the courage to post this, and Hopefully others will learn. Even the best of dogs will do this and if this story gets the attention of just one person then it did its job.
 

Bogie=babyDINO

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So very sorry. Try not to be too hard on yourself. You didn't do it on purpose. You were trying to save an abused animal, thank you for that. As said above, for no reason ever can they be trusted. Even fences, as you have come to realize can't be trusted to keep a dog away from what it wants.
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sure it was devastating then and now, but it needed to be told.
Hope some day you can forgive yourself enough to bring a another tortoise into your life.
Again, so very sorry.
Thank you for this. I appreciate it a lot.
 

domagoj

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I'm so sorry for your loss. Almost made me cry. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself, it was an accident. It sure made me think about my plans for the outdoor enclosure for the spring. I think Marley just became a full time indoor tortoise.ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1483564232.582972.jpg
We're both sending you a big electronic hug
 

Bogie=babyDINO

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I'm so sorry for your loss. Almost made me cry. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself, it was an accident. It sure made me think about my plans for the outdoor enclosure for the spring. I think Marley just became a full time indoor tortoise.View attachment 196338
We're both sending you a big electronic hug
Yeah its scary how fragile they are to a dog or raccoon or any predatorw. Marely is so adorable! I'm happy I'm able to come back on the tortoise forum and admire tortoise again :)
 

Tom

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Ugh… That was painful to read. I'm so sorry that this happened. And you even took precautions to keep them separated…. You knew the danger, took steps to keep everyone safe and the dog found a way to overcome your safety measures. I've been accused of being too harsh with people sometimes in regards to trying to warm them and prevent this sort of thing, and stories like this area the reason why. I've seen this happen soooo many times. We all try to warn people and some people just won't listen. Its so sad that you did listen, but the dog had other ideas.

I find it admirable that you tried to do the right thing here, and I find it super duper admirable that you overcame your grief and sorrow to come back and post this in the hopes that others will learn from your tragic loss. I will link people to this thread with the hope that your story will inspire them to be more careful.

I wish you well, and you just let me know if you ever decide to try again. I get babies every year and I'd be happy to save one for you.
 

Dizisdalife

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That's really a sad story. I am glad, though, that you have returned to the Forum.
 

Bogie=babyDINO

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Ugh… That was painful to read. I'm so sorry that this happened. And you even took precautions to keep them separated…. You knew the danger, took steps to keep everyone safe and the dog found a way to overcome your safety measures. I've been accused of being too harsh with people sometimes in regards to trying to warm them and prevent this sort of thing, and stories like this area the reason why. I've seen this happen soooo many times. We all try to warn people and some people just won't listen. Its so sad that you did listen, but the dog had other ideas.

I find it admirable that you tried to do the right thing here, and I find it super duper admirable that you overcame your grief and sorrow to come back and post this in the hopes that others will learn from your tragic loss. I will link people to this thread with the hope that your story will inspire them to be more careful.

I wish you well, and you just let me know if you ever decide to try again. I get babies every year and I'd be happy to save one for you.
Thank you Tom. That means a lot because I look up to all your hard work. More times then not it takes a strong stern voice to get the message out to people about what it REALLY take to keep a tortoise healthy and safe. I thought I covered all my bases but I underestimated her. Maybe one day I'd love to take you up on your offer ;) For right now I'll enjoy spreading the word of proper tortoise care, reading my encyclopedia of torts and turtle, and the crying tortoise! Never would have thought I'd fall so hard for these prehistoric shelled creatures :)
 

tortoishell

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I'm very sorry for your loss! It took an immense amount of courage to come back to the Forum. I know many lives will be saved from reading this story. I grieve for you. Remember that it was not your fault- you are one of the most caring people I have ever met. I think it makes us all proud that you did not take out your anger on Abby.
Hugs from the rainy old Northwest!
 

enchilada

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So basically, because you adopted this dog, your ex boyfriend got bitten, you lost your boyfriend, you out of money, your parents not happy with you, and it brutally killed your beloved tortoise.

this is what blindly love leads to . "Love" cannot save everything, sometimes even does more damage .
sometimes you have to sacrifice a life to save more.

Lessons Learned Here:
1. If a professional recommend PUT IT TO SLEEP, do it. otherwise it will hurt someone eventually
2.if the dog is capable of break in the enclosure, it will break in the enclosure eventually
 

Fredkas

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Hey... :) thanks a lot for sharing this. I know it was so hard for you to discuss, wrote all this and remind yourself all the scene, but you did it.
This thread will take a lot of tort keeper's awareness to a whole new level.
Thank you and i am so sorry for your loss.
 

Yvonne G

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Ah geez, Kelsey. This is so very, very sad. Bogie was a beautiful little animal, but then, so is Abby. Nature, darn it.

Thank you so very much for taking the time and posting your story for us. Hopefully it will help save tortoise lives.
 
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