I lost one of my tortoises to a repiratory infection late this morning. He was a rescue from a young lady who couldn't take care of him a few years back, and he had it good at our place. The loss this morning was obviously quite devastating, but I did manage to spend the final hour of my tortoises life with him. Amazingly enough, so did his partner. I've read the forum long enough to know the thoughts on pairing, but I always felt my two guys were best of friends. At least that's the act they put on for me each and every day. I'll also mention that these two guys come from different breeds as well.
As my tortoise passed away, his friend had pulled up and rested there with him, nose to nose, the entire time. Then his comforting turned into hours, then it went past dinner, now it's midway through the night, and when my guys would usually retreat to their separate hide-aways in the evening, they are both still sitting out in the open right now, with the younger fellow sleeping with his head fully out of his shell, extended towards his buddy, as an offering of comfort I imagine, and to let him know he's there looking after him in what he thinks is a time of need. He hasn't left him even for a second.
It's been heartbreaking to see, so much so that I couldn't allow myself to bury my tortoise, because I couldn't bear the sadness of pulling his best friend away from him while resting right in front of him. I will have to lay him down tomorrow morning, but I felt the need to share this with the forum folks here, and I wanted to offer a picture of how they bedded down tonight for those who are interested in better understanding the companionship I'm talking about here. Thanks for reading, and good health to all of you and your four-legged friends in 2013.
As my tortoise passed away, his friend had pulled up and rested there with him, nose to nose, the entire time. Then his comforting turned into hours, then it went past dinner, now it's midway through the night, and when my guys would usually retreat to their separate hide-aways in the evening, they are both still sitting out in the open right now, with the younger fellow sleeping with his head fully out of his shell, extended towards his buddy, as an offering of comfort I imagine, and to let him know he's there looking after him in what he thinks is a time of need. He hasn't left him even for a second.
It's been heartbreaking to see, so much so that I couldn't allow myself to bury my tortoise, because I couldn't bear the sadness of pulling his best friend away from him while resting right in front of him. I will have to lay him down tomorrow morning, but I felt the need to share this with the forum folks here, and I wanted to offer a picture of how they bedded down tonight for those who are interested in better understanding the companionship I'm talking about here. Thanks for reading, and good health to all of you and your four-legged friends in 2013.
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I would like to think that mine are the same way. I rescued a sulcata and she never came out of her shell, quite literally. After quarantine and everything I introduced her to Zippy one of my Redfoot. She was instantly a changed tort! She now allows me to touch her and she doesn't retreat and the two seem to absolutely adore each other. I hope your remaining tort thrives and remains healthy!
