M
Mary
I must first post a disclaimer.
This is not outstanding news about my heart.
However, it is outstanding news about my dear pet's digestive/excretory system!
Unlike most people, my "bestest buddy" isn't a dog or a cat. "Scoot" is a red-earred slider. A slider is a type of turtle-- just in case you aren't up to speed about turtles. I was given Scoot during my first year of teaching to help lessen the grief not only I but also my students experienced after a tragic loss.
One of my students was killed in a car accident on Super Bowl Sunday. She was only eight years old, and a beautiful little girl. The class was desolate, and so was I. A dear friend decided we all needed a pet to distract us from the void that Kaitlyn's death had left in the classroom, and so he gave us his seven year old red-earred slider. Enter Scoot!
Scoot was just what we all needed. In May, the children left for summer vacation, but Scoot remained and has been with me ever since. A few years ago, I brought him home from school, because he had outgrown the aquarium he was housed in. I guess you could say he took early retirement!
Anyway, several months ago I splurged and bought a super-duper, brand new tank designed especially for aquatic turtles. I outfitted it with a heavy duty pump, filter, heater, turtle dock, and gravel. Shortly afterwards I read on a turtle site that gravel was a poor choice. The reason given was that if Scoot missed grabbing his food, it might land on the bottom,and he could accidentally ingest the gravel. And gravel in a turtle's digestive tract will kill a turtle. Or so they say.
As a result, several weeks ago we emptied everything and replaced the gravel with much bigger stones. Unfortunately, the stones must have looked like the grapes or grape tomatoes that we frequently give Scoot as a treat, because he immediately, purposely grabbed one and swallowed it. I jerked him out of the tank and tried to make him spit it out. (Wish I had a picture of That!)
But he wouldn't open his mouth for anything, and I did try everything!
I knew he was doomed. Everything I read said it would kill him. I have spent the last two and a half weeks watching him anxiously to see what would happen. After a week passed, and he didn't excrete anything, I realized it was just a matter of time. He was eating, but not eliminating it (if you know what I mean!)
But Finally(and I'm sure you're thinking Finally too ) this morning Scoot Did It!!!!!! I don't know what or where that rock is, but it's not blocking anything!
I do know that we're both greatly RELIEVED!
And that's my outstanding news!
This is not outstanding news about my heart.
However, it is outstanding news about my dear pet's digestive/excretory system!
Unlike most people, my "bestest buddy" isn't a dog or a cat. "Scoot" is a red-earred slider. A slider is a type of turtle-- just in case you aren't up to speed about turtles.
I was given Scoot during my first year of teaching to help lessen the grief not only I but also my students experienced after a tragic loss.One of my students was killed in a car accident on Super Bowl Sunday. She was only eight years old, and a beautiful little girl. The class was desolate, and so was I. A dear friend decided we all needed a pet to distract us from the void that Kaitlyn's death had left in the classroom, and so he gave us his seven year old red-earred slider. Enter Scoot!
Scoot was just what we all needed. In May, the children left for summer vacation, but Scoot remained and has been with me ever since. A few years ago, I brought him home from school, because he had outgrown the aquarium he was housed in. I guess you could say he took early retirement!
Anyway, several months ago I splurged and bought a super-duper, brand new tank designed especially for aquatic turtles. I outfitted it with a heavy duty pump, filter, heater, turtle dock, and gravel. Shortly afterwards I read on a turtle site that gravel was a poor choice. The reason given was that if Scoot missed grabbing his food, it might land on the bottom,and he could accidentally ingest the gravel. And gravel in a turtle's digestive tract will kill a turtle. Or so they say.
As a result, several weeks ago we emptied everything and replaced the gravel with much bigger stones. Unfortunately, the stones must have looked like the grapes or grape tomatoes that we frequently give Scoot as a treat, because he immediately, purposely grabbed one and swallowed it.
I jerked him out of the tank and tried to make him spit it out. (Wish I had a picture of That!)But he wouldn't open his mouth for anything, and I did try everything!
I knew he was doomed.
Everything I read said it would kill him. I have spent the last two and a half weeks watching him anxiously to see what would happen. After a week passed, and he didn't excrete anything, I realized it was just a matter of time. He was eating, but not eliminating it (if you know what I mean!)But Finally(and I'm sure you're thinking Finally too
) this morning Scoot Did It!!!!!! I don't know what or where that rock is, but it's not blocking anything!I do know that we're both greatly RELIEVED!
And that's my outstanding news!
