To Be....Or Not To Be ....sick?

[Chefdenoel10]

Ok I think I can do my favorite toad picture. I save cans for recycling and I stick them out the back door in bags until I feel like crushing them. I had a couple of bags and got up the gumption to do it. Imagine the delight when I picked up the top bag and this little fella was chillin...View attachment 328606

Heeeyyy!!!!
He’s got MY butt????
???.....?????....???

He wears it better..
Mine has more wrinkles...?
I’m off to go buy an iron...
Can someone please teach me how to iron something “behind” me??? ??

 

[zolasmum]

What gorgeous coloring!!
And his eyes!!!
They put me in a trans!!! ??

Dear Chef - I am so glad you like Bonus -I will see if I can find some photos of him when we first got him - he was so tiny and yet so brave. It was a real privilege to look after him and see him grow. I just wish he had lived much longer.
I am sending a photo of Zola with the birthday hat I made him a couple of years ago - I think it suits him. The seahorse brooch was something I have had for years, but it seemed exactly right . I am not much of a knitter, but I can make things with sticky tape and staples ! This year the new hat will be quite sparkly, I hope.
Angie x

 

[zolasmum]

Dear Chef - I am so glad you like Bonus -I will see if I can find some photos of him when we first got him - he was so tiny and yet so brave. It was a real privilege to look after him and see him grow. I just wish he had lived much longer.
I am sending a photo of Zola with the birthday hat I made him a couple of years ago - I think it suits him. The seahorse brooch was something I have had for years, but it seemed exactly right . I am not much of a knitter, but I can make things with sticky tape and staples ! This year the new hat will be quite sparkly, I hope.
Angie x
View attachment 328650

 

[Cathie G]

He’s so tiny and cute! That line going down his back is interesting too. ?

I forget what type I have here. I have some even cuter pictures when they are younger than that sitting in a flat water dish. This year has been weird. I haven't seen the really little ones but I've seen an adult earlier than usual. I'm sure the little ones are here. I just haven't seen them.

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Dear Chef - I am so glad you like Bonus -I will see if I can find some photos of him when we first got him - he was so tiny and yet so brave. It was a real privilege to look after him and see him grow. I just wish he had lived much longer.
I am sending a photo of Zola with the birthday hat I made him a couple of years ago - I think it suits him. The seahorse brooch was something I have had for years, but it seemed exactly right . I am not much of a knitter, but I can make things with sticky tape and staples ! This year the new hat will be quite sparkly, I hope.
Angie x
View attachment 328650

LOVE IT!!!!! ?
I also love the way he just hangs in between your fingers.?????

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Dear Chef - I am so glad you like Bonus -I will see if I can find some photos of him when we first got him - he was so tiny and yet so brave. It was a real privilege to look after him and see him grow. I just wish he had lived much longer.
I am sending a photo of Zola with the birthday hat I made him a couple of years ago - I think it suits him. The seahorse brooch was something I have had for years, but it seemed exactly right . I am not much of a knitter, but I can make things with sticky tape and staples ! This year the new hat will be quite sparkly, I hope.
Angie x
View attachment 328650

I like sea horses too!
Where ever did you get that one?
Sooooo pretty.
And looks perfect on Zola!
I am trying to find the early picture of Gary for you.
Hang on to yer hat.....
Get ready to say... AAAWWWWW!!!!

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Update today July 6,2021

Here we go.... again! ?
Sally laid FIVE eggs today.
And she ALSO made 4 REGULAR LOOKING SULCATA POOPS!! ?
I couldn’t be more proud!!!!
Or exhausted ....??

 

[Krista S]

Update today July 6,2021

Here we go.... again! ?
Sally laid FIVE eggs today.
And she ALSO made 4 REGULAR LOOKING SULCATA POOPS!! ?
I couldn’t be more proud!!!!
Or exhausted ....??

I am SO happy to hear this!!! What wonderful news ?? Sally must be pretty exhausted after all of that too. What a relief for her to finally get all of that out. I really hope she returns back to her normal self once she rests up from this ordeal. I hope you’re able to finally get a little more rest now too. ❤️

 

[Chefdenoel10]

I am SO happy to hear this!!! What wonderful news ?? Sally must be pretty exhausted after all of that too. What a relief for her to finally get all of that out. I really hope she returns back to her normal self once she rests up from this ordeal. I hope you’re able to finally get a little more rest now too. ❤️

Thank you SOOOOO much for your help and well wishes!! ?

She is also eating like a horse!!
Or that green ghost in the movie
“Ghost Busters”!
I am EXTREMELY HAPPY about the
“Normal poop” (no diarrhea).
That puts me over the moon as she has not had a normal poop in a while?

I am thrilled about the eggs too but they can lay anywhere up to 60 eggs? Some even MORE! ?

I guess (as they say)... I’ll sleep when I’m dead? (Which maybe sooner than later!) ?

Now, my next adventure is to try and get her to get BACK into sleeping in her night box? (Not the bath tub).
Any suggestions???

It is Always a pleasure talking to you my friend ❤️ and if you are away to bed I’ll be sure to check in tomorrow for your answer.
Sweet dreams.. ?

P.S. forgive me for not asking!!
My mind is all over the place and as you can see I cannot for the life of me tell a SHORT story...
But I would LOVE to know how you and your little one are doing too?

I am never so consumed with myself, but in this case I needed help ASAP.
Sorry to be so self consumed.
Now that everything is sorta working itself out; I would LOVE to hear about everyone else’s goings on....??..
goings on??? Is that even English?
Oh God, I am soooo tired ...
I’ve lost my mind! ?
(Not sure the one I’ve got ever worked).

 

[zolasmum]

Hello Chef - it was wonderful to get your news about Sally - I hope you have been able to get some sleep since then. Perhaps Sally will want to sleep in too, after all her efforts. What a clever girl she is - but I hope she will be able to tell you what is going on more clearly another time, instead of leaving you frantic with worry ! Actually, she may have been really surprised herself !!
I must get on with Zola's hat now - hope to have a photo to send tomorrow.
Angie

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Hello Chef - it was wonderful to get your news about Sally - I hope you have been able to get some sleep since then. Perhaps Sally will want to sleep in too, after all her efforts. What a clever girl she is - but I hope she will be able to tell you what is going on more clearly another time, instead of leaving you frantic with worry ! Actually, she may have been really surprised herself !!
I must get on with Zola's hat now - hope to have a photo to send tomorrow.
Angie

Thank you Angie,

I hope you’re all set for Zola’s party?
Are the decorations up?
Did you get the cake?
What about presents??
I am looking forward to celebrating ?
Zola will be turning how old?
She is a sweetie and I would love to give her a great big birthday hug!! ?
Please let her know she has LOTS of friends here across in America...?
heck.... there are people on here from all over the WORLD!! ???
Happy Birthday from all over the world Zola!! (Wait...keep that for tomorrow)
Until then, good luck with her hat!
I’ll get pictures for you today —
Chef

 

[Cathie G]

Thank you SOOOOO much for your help and well wishes!! ?

She is also eating like a horse!!
Or that green ghost in the movie
“Ghost Busters”!
I am EXTREMELY HAPPY about the
“Normal poop” (no diarrhea).
That puts me over the moon as she has not had a normal poop in a while?

I am thrilled about the eggs too but they can lay anywhere up to 60 eggs? Some even MORE! ?

I guess (as they say)... I’ll sleep when I’m dead? (Which maybe sooner than later!) ?

Now, my next adventure is to try and get her to get BACK into sleeping in her night box? (Not the bath tub).
Any suggestions???

It is Always a pleasure talking to you my friend ❤️ and if you are away to bed I’ll be sure to check in tomorrow for your answer.
Sweet dreams.. ?

P.S. forgive me for not asking!!
My mind is all over the place and as you can see I cannot for the life of me tell a SHORT story...
But I would LOVE to know how you and your little one are doing too?

I am never so consumed with myself, but in this case I needed help ASAP.
Sorry to be so self consumed.
Now that everything is sorta working itself out; I would LOVE to hear about everyone else’s goings on....??..
goings on??? Is that even English?
Oh God, I am soooo tired ...
I’ve lost my mind! ?
(Not sure the one I’ve got ever worked).

I used your cuss word today ? holy cow a bunga on a government employee helping Joe today with me. She agreed with me by the time we were done doing internet ? I told her it's my new cuss word and it's all your fault ?

 

[Krista S]

Thank you SOOOOO much for your help and well wishes!! ?

She is also eating like a horse!!
Or that green ghost in the movie
“Ghost Busters”!
I am EXTREMELY HAPPY about the
“Normal poop” (no diarrhea).
That puts me over the moon as she has not had a normal poop in a while?

I am thrilled about the eggs too but they can lay anywhere up to 60 eggs? Some even MORE! ?

I guess (as they say)... I’ll sleep when I’m dead? (Which maybe sooner than later!) ?

Now, my next adventure is to try and get her to get BACK into sleeping in her night box? (Not the bath tub).
Any suggestions???

It is Always a pleasure talking to you my friend ❤️ and if you are away to bed I’ll be sure to check in tomorrow for your answer.
Sweet dreams.. ?

P.S. forgive me for not asking!!
My mind is all over the place and as you can see I cannot for the life of me tell a SHORT story...
But I would LOVE to know how you and your little one are doing too?

I am never so consumed with myself, but in this case I needed help ASAP.
Sorry to be so self consumed.
Now that everything is sorta working itself out; I would LOVE to hear about everyone else’s goings on....??..
goings on??? Is that even English?
Oh God, I am soooo tired ...
I’ve lost my mind! ?
(Not sure the one I’ve got ever worked).

I suppose I forgot when I typed my message last night, that we are talking about a Sulcata and that 5 eggs isn’t a whole lot. It’s good she’s got things moving though and that she finally had some well formed poops. Hopefully she is just getting started and will get the rest out soon. I don’t have any suggestions on how to get back to sleeping in her night box. I have a hard time getting my stubborn little Dozer to do what I need him to, so I can’t even imagine how to handle a sulcata sized situation! You aren’t being “self consumed”. This is your thread that you started about Sally, so it should be about you…although I must say, I’ve really enjoyed all of the side chats and stories that have been shared in here now.

Since you asked, I will update you on my little guy. Dozer aka Bozo is doing great. He’s growing like crazy and has a healthy appetite. He weighs 584 grams and has a huge personality. He just turned 2 in May, however around the start of the new year he discovered his boy parts and since then, he has turned into a raging lunatic. That’s the only way I know how to describe him now lol. He is super protective of his enclosure and tries to bite my hands at every opportunity. I’m hoping his hormones will settle down in time and I’ll have my sweet tortoise back for a bit ?. When I feed him he’s always really nice. If I hand feed him a small bit of something he will take it ever so gently like he knows he isn’t supposed to bite me, but once that food is gone…watch out! Anyhow, he and his attitude are doing good. I love him to bits. He makes me smile and laugh every single day. August will be 2 years since he came into my life and I am still in awe of him every single day. Here’s some pictures…

A few weeks ago, getting some natural UV.



Mazuri day ?



Dozer’s 2nd birthday this past May



Dozer being a naughty boy…this is a screenshot from a short video I took where he got me when I stopped paying attention to where his little mouth was for a moment.



I had a new enclosure built for him at the start of the new year. It seems to be constantly evolving to meet Dozer’s picky standards. This is an ariel view of what it currently looks like.



Now I feel like I’ve hijacked your thread and feel bad ?. I hope you’re having a good day and that Sally has made some more strides towards recovering today.

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Hello Chef - it was wonderful to get your news about Sally - I hope you have been able to get some sleep since then. Perhaps Sally will want to sleep in too, after all her efforts. What a clever girl she is - but I hope she will be able to tell you what is going on more clearly another time, instead of leaving you frantic with worry ! Actually, she may have been really surprised herself !!
I must get on with Zola's hat now - hope to have a photo to send tomorrow.
Angie

HAPPYYYYY BIRTHDAYYYYYY!!!!!!
21 right?
Well then, best wishes for a wonderful day and a quiet and peaceful night.
I hope Zola’s hat turned out !!!!
I’m sure it was beautiful!
Hugs and smooches all around!!!
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!!

?...? ?

Noooooo!!!!! Not on your birthday!! ?

??????????????

 

[Chefdenoel10]

I used your cuss word today ? holy cow a bunga on a government employee helping Joe today with me. She agreed with me by the time we were done doing internet ? I told her it's my new cuss word and it's all your fault ?

Glad to hear it Cathy!!!
And good for you to boot!!!
But I can’t take credit for it...
As EllieMay said once before..
I think I got it from the ninja turtles ? ?

Hahahahaha???
But I am glad you used it!! ?

 

[Chefdenoel10]

I suppose I forgot when I typed my message last night, that we are talking about a Sulcata and that 5 eggs isn’t a whole lot. It’s good she’s got things moving though and that she finally had some well formed poops. Hopefully she is just getting started and will get the rest out soon. I don’t have any suggestions on how to get back to sleeping in her night box. I have a hard time getting my stubborn little Dozer to do what I need him to, so I can’t even imagine how to handle a sulcata sized situation! You aren’t being “self consumed”. This is your thread that you started about Sally, so it should be about you…although I must say, I’ve really enjoyed all of the side chats and stories that have been shared in here now.

Since you asked, I will update you on my little guy. Dozer aka Bozo is doing great. He’s growing like crazy and has a healthy appetite. He weighs 584 grams and has a huge personality. He just turned 2 in May, however around the start of the new year he discovered his boy parts and since then, he has turned into a raging lunatic. That’s the only way I know how to describe him now lol. He is super protective of his enclosure and tries to bite my hands at every opportunity. I’m hoping his hormones will settle down in time and I’ll have my sweet tortoise back for a bit ?. When I feed him he’s always really nice. If I hand feed him a small bit of something he will take it ever so gently like he knows he isn’t supposed to bite me, but once that food is gone…watch out! Anyhow, he and his attitude are doing good. I love him to bits. He makes me smile and laugh every single day. August will be 2 years since he came into my life and I am still in awe of him every single day. Here’s some pictures…

A few weeks ago, getting some natural UV.

View attachment 328727

Mazuri day ?

View attachment 328728

Dozer’s 2nd birthday this past May

View attachment 328730

Dozer being a naughty boy…this is a screenshot from a short video I took where he got me when I stopped paying attention to where his little mouth was for a moment.

View attachment 328729

I had a new enclosure built for him at the start of the new year. It seems to be constantly evolving to meet Dozer’s picky standards. This is an ariel view of what it currently looks like.

View attachment 328731

Now I feel like I’ve hijacked your thread and feel bad ?. I hope you’re having a good day and that Sally has made some more strides towards recovering today.

Kristina!!!
I have to start out by saying
Dozer is STUNNING!!!!
What a beautiful shape and his colors! Wow!
You MUST be doing a great job for him to look so good!!
As for this thread... I consider it everybody’s and LOOOVVEEE hearing all the stories as well as getting help at the same time. I don’t know where I’d be if you guys had not helped me out!??
When you tell me YOUR stories and situations it makes me feel like I am not alone. That other people have tortoise problems too. I am constantly thinking I am a bad mom. ? And that Sally might be much happier somewhere else...?

Now about Dozer (aka.. bozo ?)
Tell him I wish him a happy belated birthday
I am so sooty if I missed it but I’ll do better next time! ???????????
Hormones?? You say??
Has he shown you his “bits and pieces” yet? I’ve heard it will scare the h*ll outta ya!?? Be forewarned....
not sure I wouldn’t trade “bits and pieces”
For EGGS though?? ?
I mean .. he just does a flash and I can turn away as opposed to cleaning up afterbirth..
?.

I LOOOVVVEEE his new house!
How colorful and explorative!!!
It’s better than MY house!
I want to live there!!!

And finally, OMG!!!!
That screen shot of the hand bite!!!!????
??????????????
Holy cow a bunga!!!!!!!
Did it hurt? (Stupid question, OF COURSE IT HURT YA DOPE!) (talking to myself)...
Did it break your skin or take a chunk off?!
WOW!!!!
I really hope you are ok!?
Wash it REALLY good ally pressure to stop the bleeding and most of all, MOST OF ALL...... one word to LIVE by....

NEOSPORIN!!!! Lots and lots of NEOSPORIN!!!
Make sure to ALWAYS have that in your house! It’s good for everything even torts!

Not to take away from your horrific story but....
have ya ever been bitten by a
120lb female Sulcata who’s pregnant and probably cranky??.....

?it’s not good. I’ll just leave it at that. ??

Always my pleasure sweet-pea.
Talk tomorrow... ?❤️

Sorry it’s so late but this is the only chance I get to come on the forum lately??
??

 

[Krista S]

Kristina!!!
I have to start out by saying
Dozer is STUNNING!!!!
What a beautiful shape and his colors! Wow!
You MUST be doing a great job for him to look so good!!
As for this thread... I consider it everybody’s and LOOOVVEEE hearing all the stories as well as getting help at the same time. I don’t know where I’d be if you guys had not helped me out!??
When you tell me YOUR stories and situations it makes me feel like I am not alone. That other people have tortoise problems too. I am constantly thinking I am a bad mom. ? And that Sally might be much happier somewhere else...?

Now about Dozer (aka.. bozo ?)
Tell him I wish him a happy belated birthday
I am so sooty if I missed it but I’ll do better next time! ???????????
Hormones?? You say??
Has he shown you his “bits and pieces” yet? I’ve heard it will scare the h*ll outta ya!?? Be forewarned....
not sure I wouldn’t trade “bits and pieces”
For EGGS though?? ?
I mean .. he just does a flash and I can turn away as opposed to cleaning up afterbirth..
?.

I LOOOVVVEEE his new house!
How colorful and explorative!!!
It’s better than MY house!
I want to live there!!!

And finally, OMG!!!!
That screen shot of the hand bite!!!!????
??????????????
Holy cow a bunga!!!!!!!
Did it hurt? (Stupid question, OF COURSE IT HURT YA DOPE!) (talking to myself)...
Did it break your skin or take a chunk off?!
WOW!!!!
I really hope you are ok!?
Wash it REALLY good ally pressure to stop the bleeding and most of all, MOST OF ALL...... one word to LIVE by....

NEOSPORIN!!!! Lots and lots of NEOSPORIN!!!
Make sure to ALWAYS have that in your house! It’s good for everything even torts!

Not to take away from your horrific story but....
have ya ever been bitten by a
120lb female Sulcata who’s pregnant and probably cranky??.....

?it’s not good. I’ll just leave it at that. ??

Always my pleasure sweet-pea.
Talk tomorrow... ?❤️

Sorry it’s so late but this is the only chance I get to come on the forum lately??
??

You should never think you’re a bad mom to Sally. From reading through what she’s gone through, I have MANY times thought to myself “thank goodness Sally is in Chef’s care”. Nobody could care for her the way you do. You’re doing an amazing job. Please don’t doubt that for a second. I understand how what You’re feeling though. We love our torts so deeply, that when something is wrong or they appear to be a little off, it rips at our heartstrings because we want nothing more than for them to be happy and healthy. I think it’s normal to question yourself and things you’ve done, but sometimes things just happen without explanation. You’re doing a super duper job with Sally. I have said it before, but I’ll say it again…she is as lucky to have you as you are to have her. ❤️

Thank you for your kind words about Dozer and his house. He is little cutie. Whenever his lunatic tendencies show lol I tell him he’s lucky he’s so cute. ?. The bites do hurt and sometimes leave little pieces of skin missing or hanging off. I can’t even imagine a bite from a Sulcata…and I don’t ever want to know what that feels like from experiencing it. In the last couple of months his bites always break skin now. In Canada our Neosporin is called Polysporin and yes, I always have the extra strength stuff handy, as well as hydrogen peroxide. On the other topic, I believe it was January that he flashed his bits the first time. Thankfully I had seen enough on the forum to know what it was, but I still had to snap a couple pics and post them to be sure. Every single day since then, usually during his soak his little friend comes out to play. He’s also made friends with one special rock in his enclosure lol. When I see how mean he can be to my hands (which really he is trying to mate with my hands) I feel so sorry for all the female torts out there. Someone needs to teach these boys some manners! ? I am glad he’s male though. The very first thing I told him when I got him from the breeder, was that he needs to be a boy lol. Girl tortoises scare me with the whole egg thing and they also grow larger. Because I live where I do and have crappy weather most of the year, my tortoise will mostly be an indoor tortoise, so for me, the smaller the better.

I am curious to know if any more eggs have been laid since the last 5 you spoke about? I hope you have a great day today.

 

[Cathie G]

Glad to hear it Cathy!!!
And good for you to boot!!!
But I can’t take credit for it...
As EllieMay said once before..
I think I got it from the ninja turtles ? ?

Hahahahaha???
But I am glad you used it!! ?

I love that cartoon but didn't remember either.? you refreshed my memory and Ellie May helped us both out ?

 

[Cathie G]

You should never think you’re a bad mom to Sally. From reading through what she’s gone through, I have MANY times thought to myself “thank goodness Sally is in Chef’s care”. Nobody could care for her the way you do. You’re doing an amazing job. Please don’t doubt that for a second. I understand how what You’re feeling though. We love our torts so deeply, that when something is wrong or they appear to be a little off, it rips at our heartstrings because we want nothing more than for them to be happy and healthy. I think it’s normal to question yourself and things you’ve done, but sometimes things just happen without explanation. You’re doing a super duper job with Sally. I have said it before, but I’ll say it again…she is as lucky to have you as you are to have her. ❤️

Thank you for your kind words about Dozer and his house. He is little cutie. Whenever his lunatic tendencies show lol I tell him he’s lucky he’s so cute. ?. The bites do hurt and sometimes leave little pieces of skin missing or hanging off. I can’t even imagine a bite from a Sulcata…and I don’t ever want to know what that feels like from experiencing it. In the last couple of months his bites always break skin now. In Canada our Neosporin is called Polysporin and yes, I always have the extra strength stuff handy, as well as hydrogen peroxide. On the other topic, I believe it was January that he flashed his bits the first time. Thankfully I had seen enough on the forum to know what it was, but I still had to snap a couple pics and post them to be sure. Every single day since then, usually during his soak his little friend comes out to play. He’s also made friends with one special rock in his enclosure lol. When I see how mean he can be to my hands (which really he is trying to mate with my hands) I feel so sorry for all the female torts out there. Someone needs to teach these boys some manners! ? I am glad he’s male though. The very first thing I told him when I got him from the breeder, was that he needs to be a boy lol. Girl tortoises scare me with the whole egg thing and they also grow larger. Because I live where I do and have crappy weather most of the year, my tortoise will mostly be an indoor tortoise, so for me, the smaller the better.

I am curious to know if any more eggs have been laid since the last 5 you spoke about? I hope you have a great day today.

When Sapphire flashed me the first time and I finally figured out what he'd done to me... my next thought was "no wonder the females beat the tar out of you every chance they get!"?

 

[zolasmum]

When Zola was very small-2or3 years old -he was on Richard's desk "helping" him with his computer, he started doing something strange - Richard called me for help, -and I nearly fell over laughing, as I explained he was mating with his hand !! He wasn't displaying his bits, but putting his front legs on Richard's hand, and pushing rhythmically with his skinny little back legs, and making a tiny little squeaking noise - the first noise we had ever heard him make. It was quite a while later that we first saw anything displayed, and by then we were mentally prepared.
Angie.