On this day 10 years ago, I welcomed my darling Steve into my life. He came into my hands from a college friend whose family could no longer care for him. He was named by my friend's younger brother, in honor of Steve Irwin. He looked like he had been brought to me straight from Petco, in a 40-gallon tank, with pine bark chips for substrate, and some dangerously shaped food dishes. I fell in love quite quickly. At first, Steve was very shy and terrified of a new place, but I think he soon realized he was in charge.
In honor of our anniversary, I've been looking through some older photos of him. Here are a couple photos which are most likely the first ones I took of him.
Here was his original glass tank:
With the help of this forum and The Tortoise Table, I improved his lighting and replaced the pine bark mulch substrate. Over time, I was able to provide him with a better diet, new and larger enclosures (1 and 2), his own bedroom, and his own outdoor garden. And now as my husband and I look to the future and our next house, I'm already planning bigger and better enclosures for him. So from the bottom of our hearts, my husband, Steve, and I thank everyone on the forum for helping our family over these past 10 years!
Here are some of my favorite Steve photos. Nap time:
Checking out a new poster of his favorite Red Wing, Pavel Datsyuk. I still keep this "poster" in his room.
Busting through the side of his timothy hay tunnel.
One of his first outdoor excursions (in my parents' backyard).
Steve's interesting sleeping positions!
The "windmill" position.
Attacking his favorite treat: the dandelion.
In his stegosaurus Halloween costume.
Steve even dressed up as the ring-bearer for our wedding.
Steve quickly made his way into my heart. His presence in my life over these past 10 years has helped me get through some really difficult moments. For my husband and me, Steve is our son. Through Steve, we've shared a new hobby together: gardening and a love for plants. It's been a wonderful first decade with him and I hope the next one is just as magical!
In honor of our anniversary, I've been looking through some older photos of him. Here are a couple photos which are most likely the first ones I took of him.
Here was his original glass tank:
With the help of this forum and The Tortoise Table, I improved his lighting and replaced the pine bark mulch substrate. Over time, I was able to provide him with a better diet, new and larger enclosures (1 and 2), his own bedroom, and his own outdoor garden. And now as my husband and I look to the future and our next house, I'm already planning bigger and better enclosures for him. So from the bottom of our hearts, my husband, Steve, and I thank everyone on the forum for helping our family over these past 10 years!
Here are some of my favorite Steve photos. Nap time:
Checking out a new poster of his favorite Red Wing, Pavel Datsyuk. I still keep this "poster" in his room.
Busting through the side of his timothy hay tunnel.
One of his first outdoor excursions (in my parents' backyard).
Steve's interesting sleeping positions!
The "windmill" position.
Attacking his favorite treat: the dandelion.
In his stegosaurus Halloween costume.
Steve even dressed up as the ring-bearer for our wedding.
Steve quickly made his way into my heart. His presence in my life over these past 10 years has helped me get through some really difficult moments. For my husband and me, Steve is our son. Through Steve, we've shared a new hobby together: gardening and a love for plants. It's been a wonderful first decade with him and I hope the next one is just as magical!