When a tortoise eats a rose

"I wish it were Thanksgiving day now."

"I don’t, I’m not ready."

"But if you wished you were ready you could be."

This week The Babe and I finished the tortoises habitat. That is to say, we brought in the dog house with the dome chopped off and made a yard that serves as an in between place. Remember the habitat we made under her bed? He hasn’t been able to use it all this time because I hadn’t finished his courtyard and heated area.  I would post a picture but I can only load pictures onto photobucket from the computer at school.

For so long the tortoise has sleepily hung out in the tub his previous owners had for him. The one he lived in six years ago.  He has grown since then. When we put him outside for some sun and air he wakes up but inside he was a pretty dull tortoise. We all relied on The Babe’s good eyes to tell us when he was happy. She swears up and down that he smiles, but I have not been able to imagine that well. Tortoises are roamers. They have to be able to adventure to be happy.

Since the finished renovation of his home, The Babe’s room has become one of my most favorite places to hang out.  Tortillious traverses over hollow log and under astroturf ramp. He dives fearlessly from 2 inch high heights and willingly climbs into his water dish.  When he sees us come up he comes toward us instead of running away. He has even taken to waiting patiently at his food dish when he is hungry.

A tortoises diet consists of different broad leaf plants, no fruit or protein is necessary and can even be harmful. What they are suppose to like best though are a few different kinds of flowers. Our  tort has always snubbed his nose at the dandelions we have offered. He has never receive a rose with any thing like grace. Even though I sprinkle calcium powder on his lettuce I have been concerned over his personal dietary preference. Once we wrapped a dandelion in a lettuce leaf and tricked him into eating part of it, but that is as close as we have gotten to observing the much coveted and, how can I say it…. beautiful,  image of a tortoise with a bright flower hanging out of his mouth, a sign of happiness and health. As it turns out, when you make a tortoise happy he really can show you his feelings. Yesterday I brought home a red rose for him and put it in his dish. After his now usual cavorting about he decided to try it on for size. He made a delicious looking dish too, as he climbed on top of his food and tested, and approved his velvety dessert.

Starting Over, I was going to write a different entry than this one. I guess I am putting it of until next time.

You know I’m not really telling you why I have to go now when I say, I have to go now and thaw a turkey, but you know what I mean.

Later sweet tators!