Hello, I'm the newbie :)

[SPIKE_Rocks!]

My name is Lisa, Im the proud Mommy of SPIKE & we live in sunny Southern California. 8 yrs ago I found her in the middle of the street near my home. SPIKE is a very low maintenance kinda girl & enjoys sunbathing, occassional treats of strawberries/bananas & having free run of the backyard. When not outside her favorite spot is at the foot of my bed where she will stay for days till its time to venture back outside. SPIKE is very smart & taught herself how to open the screen door, but refuses to learn how to close it.

I look forward to learning more about her thru this app so that I can give her the best care possible. So far I think Ive done pretty well. I do have some issues which is why I searched for information. Just to voice some of my concerns in the 8 yrs I've had SPIKE Ive only seen her drink water twice, I've tried different types of water dishes but she wont use them, also I'd like to find a tortoise friendly lawn fertilizer, since we've also aquired a dog recently (who ♥s her by the way) our beautiful green yard isnt looking so good these days. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Lisa and welcome to the Forum!

 

[luvpetz27]

Hi and welcome!!
Could you post a pic for us? Is your dog around Spike at all?
Reason I asked is becuz I have heard some terrible stories on the forum about their trusting dogs attacking their torts!! Just scares me! Glad you joined!

 

[cemmons12]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Eloise's mommy]

What kind of Tort is Spike? She sure is a pretty thing isn't she!!

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

Hi & welcome!

 

[DesertGrandma]

LOL, love your dog, er tortoise house. very cute. so is your tort.

 

[mainey34]

Hello and welcome..beautiful tort you have there. Looks like a sulcata. Very smooth. Must be the sunshine and good food and lovin she gets...

 

[SPIKE_Rocks!]

Thanks Im glad to be here

SPIKE is an african spurred, weighs about 16lbs. Not sure how to figure out how old but if the growth rings on her shell are any indication (like a tree) shes @ least 13, seems about right due to her size. She hasnt grown any in the 8 yrs that Ive had her.

As for the new dog, hes an 8yr old Shep/Lab mix. Hes very good with our cats & doesnt show any interest in SPIKE unless she moves & he just watches her. If I had any concerns whatsoever that SPIKE was in harms way I wouldn't let the dog anywhere around her.

SPIKE definitely ♥s the weather here & spends all day in the sun, she has her house to cool off in & I put fresh sod inside for added comfort since I noticed she likes to dig @ the ground before she rests & the floor of the doghouse is wood. I also have some tortoises shell lotion that keeps her shell from drying out which she gets done every so often if I notice the flesh between the plates gets dry. She seems to like it

Lets see...we have 4 cats, 2 birds, 1 rabbit, 1 dog & a tort of course

 

[SPIKE_Rocks!]

Did I mention SPIKE ♥s Strawberries? Shes so photogenic