More bad luck

[kimber_lee_314]

Ugh! My streak of bad luck continues. My friend was here yesterday with her three year old. Of course my friend was supposed to be watching her, but she wasn't, and I found the little girl in my tortoise room trying to pick up one of my cherries. I shooed her out and locked the door (which I installed when this little one started walking, and I could see how much trouble she was going to be.) So last night I went in to feed my Hermann hatchlings, and one was gone! I just can't believe it. I have to assume my friend's daughter picked her up and did something with her. The little snot was running in and out of the house all day, so I have no idea where he could be. I searched the tortoise room - nothing. The doors are short enough on the bottom that he could be anywhere in the house, or I guess, even outside! Any advice on where I might look would be much appreciated.

On a better note, my Stars are doing fine, and my sick DT is coming along too. Thanks for all your kind words.

 

[terryo]

That's awful!! Last year the same thing happened to me. My neice came over and I (I am still mad at myself) told her to put my Izzy (3 toed) back in her pen, and she put her in the flower garden instead. I never found her, but will continue looking this Spring through Summer again. I really hope you have better luck than I did. Prayers ....coming your way.

 

[keiraliang]

Search anything a three year old kid can reach..!

Trash can..box..under some furniture..small gap between things...

Hope you can find your tortoise soon! And hope the tortoise is safe..

 

[franeich]

Did you try asking the 3 year old. my 3 year old daughter has a great memory about where she puts things sometimes

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Question the kid and crawl around on your hands and knees and look for the tort from that level. Stuff like that makes me so mad. I picture the poor tortoise put someplace he doesn't know, probably too cold...make the kid come back over and show you what she did with the tortoise, then after you have the tort, lose the kid!

 

[Kristina]

LOL, I know, it does me too. I see and hear of all these things that kids do to animals - watched a friend of mine's kid try to stomp on and kill one of my baby chickens once. First time I ever tanned the heck out of a kid that wasn't mine. I will NOT tolerate cruelty, from anyone, no matter how big or small. Both of my children could safely hold a baby chick at 18 months of age, so that just goes to show - kids have to be taught respect. Mine were, and to this day, they have it.

I would get her back over there too, she just might know where she "released" it at any rate. And from now on, I would lock the door before she comes. Make the mom look for the tort too - might inspire her to be a bit more attentive.

Kristina

 

[Candy]

Did you try asking the 3 year old. my 3 year old daughter has a great memory about where she puts things sometimes

This is so true. Bring her back and ask her to find it or what she did with it. A lot of the time they will take you right to it. I find that little kids like to put things in things, drawers, trash cans, hiding spots. Good luck and maybe it will teach her mother to watch where she goes.

 

[jdawn]

So sorry to hear that
I wish there was such a thing as a tortoise devining (sp?) rod for missing little ones...

Otherwise, glad to hear the good news on the stars and your DT.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

I found him! I did make the little snot come back and show me where she put him - which was outside! A long time ago I read that for some reason (and I"m not saying this is true - but I was desperate to try anything) tortoises tend to travel northeast. So I went to the northeast section of my yard and there he was was - just happy as a clam (or tort) walking around and eating. What a relief! He'd spent the night outside and survived the cold and raccoons. Thank goodness I have a fenced yard. (On a side note - I bent down, grabbed that little girl by the arms, got in her face and said in a low, mean voice, "Don't you ever touch my tortoises again or you will not be allowed over here any more." I had to refrain from swatting her bottom. She started crying, but her mom was glad I talked to her, because she won't do anything to discipline her.) Thanks again everyone!

 

[Yvonne G]

Something like this really sucks! I'm so sorry. I'll be keeping good thoughts and hoping that you find the baby soon.

 

[Scooter]

So glad to hear you found him safe and sound!

 

[Kymiie]

I love happy endings!
Glad you found him. xx

 

[Tom]

Glad the story has a happy ending. Sad for the little girl to have a mother with such poor parenting skills. I've seen this too many times. She's not doing her little girl any favors that way.

Never heard the North East thing. I'm going to take mine out to a 50 acre dirt field near me, turn them loose and see which way they go. I think at first they will follow me, but it will be interesting.

 

[motero]

When my yearling Sulcata first spent time out in the yard he did always go north. Then just paced the north fence. Now he is used to the yard and goes all over. Interesting, who has babies that they are going to put out for the first time, see witch way they go.

Glad you found your tortoise.

 

[Jacqui]

So very very glad this had a happy ending and a quick one at that. Still have positive thoughts going out to Terry and her missing llittle guy.

As for the sorta OT of what direction, mine don't go north. I remember with the sulcatas any time they were let loose on the trip home (and once home) they went south. My redfoots tend to head south to when first put outside. The Russians do go north. I can't recall any of the other groups.

 

[dreadyA]

glad you found him, kim! I was going to say, "Not another lost tort". Now we know why you don't have children