I was checking Craigslist for large reptile enclosures when I found a listing by a guy who had to get rid of his Russian tortoise... in a hurry.
I was a bit leery that there was some variety of scam involved, but I texted him anyway, and he got back in touch within minutes.
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The guy said that "Smirnoff" was 20 years old and had been living on romaine lettuce in his 15 gallon tote, with a heat lamp and a hot rock... he said that in the summer they went to the beach with a string tired around Smirnoff's leg to keep him from wandering off.
Putting various doubts aside, we back and forthed a bit before he landed on leaving Smirnoff on his front porch, in his tote, for me to come by and get him... no money was mentioned or changed hands.
I headed down this morning, and Smirnoff avidly watched me drive him away from the only home he'd ever known with only a little doubt in his eye.
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I got home and put my new Russian tortoise, whose name will not be Smirnoff, in an outside enclosure (moved from the spot where Darwin had been using it for some degree of quarantine/isolation) with some weeds and flowers to gnosh on while I set up his inside enclosure.
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The netting kept him nicely shaded on a sunny day, and when I came back to get him he seemed to be enjoying a light drizzle.
I gave him a warm-water soak and some food and gave him an overall examination:
1) his beak is a bit overgrown, but not so much he can't eat
2) he's lived dry and it shows
3) his diet has been lacking in quality and variety
4) he seems to enjoy the increased space in his newfound life, both inside and out
5) he's got a little round bump on the tip of his tail
6) he weighs 476g, and is 134mm
I've read the TFO caresheets on Russians, and hope he'll like his new home....
Jamie
Dear Jamie,
I think I just fell in love with you!
Thank you sooooo much for rescuing this poor baby. NOW he will have a better life!!
I am sending you all of my prayers and hugs and luck for a great new home for the both of you!!!
I can’t believe he just left him on the porch!
Again, (even though I am female and married to a man) I love you!!!!❤️??