| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 03:52:12 AM
good morning,
I’m so sad. I feel like a terrible person. Today is my turtles (Henry’s) last day with us. I’ve made the decision to re-home him.
I love this turtle terribly. I fell in love with him the moment I ever saw him. I hate cleaning the tank. I’ve tried several filters. I feel so overwhelmed with everything in my life. I’ve been thinking of re-homing him for a while but wanted to be careful of who I let have him. I called an aquarium, but they wouldn't take him. I wanted my turtle to be in a more natural environment.
I don’t remember the date I got him, sure I could find it in a book somewhere. I think it’s been at least 5-6 yrs. I got him from a local petshop. I’ve been meaning to call them for months but kept putting it off. Well I finally called yesterday. I spoke to the manager who said he’d personally adopt him for his son. He told me of his experience with similar pets, since he was a kid. He mentioned how his 8 yr old was sad because his brother went to live with their mother and took their pet. He said his son would be happy. He said how this was ‘perfect timing’. He said he had an outdoor pond, so maybe he spent his summers outdoors. We rent our home, so we cant do anything like that here. My husband and I have had the discussion before about 'building a pond' for the turtle. When you rent, your restricted to what you can do. There are just some things you don't realize BEFORE you get a pet, that i sure wish I had.
Does that mean that this was meant to be? The timing? Me being so undecided, finally months later making that call, this little boy needing some happiness in his life? Maybe it is meant to be, and everything does happen for a reason. Just maybe.
This is so hard for me, I feel like I’m a bad person. I truly feel that this will be a good home. The thought of the smiles his son will have is helping me, the idea that this beautiful turtle will bring happiness to his son…..is somewhat helping me anyhow to come to terms with my decision.
This is going to be a hard day for me, whether it’s meant to be this way or not. To top it off I think I’m coming down with a cold. Feel crappy. It’s 6:47am now. I have to pull it together, take a shower and be out of here by 10am.
I'm going to try and stop crying.
Connie
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| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Oct 02 2013 : 02:27:32 AM
thank you everyone for your kind words :)
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| auntsmelly |
Posted - Oct 01 2013 : 6:41:37 PM
Oh, I also wanted to tell you that your first photo of Henry is so cute!
Very handsome fellow.
Jenny
Sister #4359
Be someone's blessing. |
| auntsmelly |
Posted - Oct 01 2013 : 6:35:27 PM
Oh, I also wanted to tell you that your first photo of Henry is so cute!
Very handsome fellow.
Jenny
Sister #4359
Be someone's blessing. |
| auntsmelly |
Posted - Oct 01 2013 : 6:33:57 PM
Hi Connie,
I came across your post and wanted to let you know that I can relate to your experience.
We had a turtle for several years- got her when she was the size of a quarter- then
decided to get her a friend- another precious itty, bitty turtle. They were the best
companions. I struggled though with the cleaning of their tank and felt so guilty about
wanting to rehome them. My daughter had lost interest in them because she was little,
but we loved them. A friend mentioned her grandsons were looking for turtles for an
aquarium in their playroom (their house can fit 3 of mine). They had this amazing
set up all ready, but no turtles. After prayer and crying, I decided it was ok to let them
have a new home with 3 little boys who still love them dearly. I pass their new house
on my way to work and have been given visiting rights- I still miss watching their antics
in their tank, but I know in my heart that it was a better life for them.
You did the right thing. You are an animal lover and loved your turtle enough to let them
go to someone who will love them too.
Sending you hugs.
Jenny
Sister #4359
Be someone's blessing. |
| churunga |
Posted - Oct 01 2013 : 09:50:16 AM
We adopted a pet who had to be given up because the owner had to go into assisted living. I can see how much she loved this pet because of how well-behaved and healthy it is. I wish I could tell the previous owner how much we love our new pet and how much joy she has put into our life. The turtle and you are both very lucky.
Marie, Sister #5142
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| coccocolorado |
Posted - Oct 01 2013 : 05:06:03 AM
Hi Connie!
Thank you for writing! How awesome is it that from your love of Henry he has now passed on to that little boy?
Love & Light!
C
Farmgirl Sister #5348
City Girl
Country Heart |
| nndairy |
Posted - Sep 29 2013 : 5:20:07 PM
Connie,
I'm sending a big hug your way. You're a wonderful person for caring so much for an animal. I have dairy cows and they're my pets. I feel terrible every time we have to get rid of one. Just know you did the right thing for Henry.
Heather
Farmgirl Sister #4701
http://nndairy.blogspot.com/
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| naturemaiden |
Posted - Sep 29 2013 : 4:52:46 PM
I'm doing ok. The guy told me today how happy his kids are and that henry is doing fine. The kids wanted to thank me :)
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| rough start farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 29 2013 : 2:32:58 PM
Connie, I hope you are feeling at peace with your decision. It sure sounds like it was a very good decision to me. A bad person would not be able to share joy with others as you are sharing the joy of this animal with the young man.
thinking of you,
Marianne |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Sep 29 2013 : 08:01:40 AM
Good morning Laurie,
I am feeling a little better. have a touch of a cold though. it sure is a beautiful day. thank you
Connie
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| laurentany |
Posted - Sep 29 2013 : 06:31:59 AM
Good morning Connie
I just saw this post and wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts.
Please do not feel badly about having to re-home your turtle. If he is too much to take care of, and you just can't do it anymore it is totally understandable!
As the other gals said, the fact that you took the time to ensure he is going to a new living home, shows your character and what a caring person you are.
I hope you are feeling a bit better today and that you are able to enjoy this beautiful Fall day we are having here on Long Island.
Hugs to you!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
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Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.
~Robert Louis Stevenson |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 2:29:22 PM
it was SO strange...as i was preparing henry for the trip to his new owner he stuck his head out all the way and intently stared at me for a few minutes. he didnt move. tears were pouring out, literally, i was balling. this turtle and i just stared at eachother. my husband grabbed the camera. it was almost as if he knew (i know that sounds dumb). all the times i've emptied his tank to clean it he never did that.
well, it's been a long day. a lot of tears. i didnt meet his son because i met his father at the pet shop, but he said he was going to surprise his son tonight. i asked him to send me a picture of them both once the turtle was settled and he said he would. whoa, what a day. i'm going to take a hot shower and relax. than you all for your kind words, it helps a lot.
Connie
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| marjean |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 1:06:10 PM
It is a brave thing to share your feelings about things we feel and care deeply about. It always is a good thing to give a pet to someone who wants it and not someone you had to talk into taking it off your hands.
Ask them to let you call and check on it from time to time, that helped us when we had to give up a pet one time.
Farmgirl sister #308
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| wooliespinner |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 11:50:16 AM
Connie I hope it goes well.The reason you are crying is because you care enough to rehome him to a special home. Give yourself some credit for that.I think once you get to their house and see how happy you made this little boy you will know it was right. I know how hard this is.
I had a horse that I had to do the same for. The original owner ended up calling me so she went back to her. I had this horse for 10 years and she just happen to find out I was looking to rehome her. I feel like it was meant to be and the horse is happy with her and it all worked out. I think your turtle will be too.
Great big hug to you.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 09:01:10 AM
Oh Connie, you are by no means a terrible person. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices even though they hurt. It does sound like the owner's boy will be the perfect fit for Henry. I am praying for the Lord to grant you peace in your heart, strength and comfort as well as healing for your cold. Please get some rest and have a relaxing cup of tea.
Farmgirl Sister #5392
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
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| LadyInRed |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 08:31:13 AM
Connie...I hope your trip to the new owner went well and I pray that just meeting the
boy and his dad gave you peace. It is hard to let go of a pet...but you at least get
to know that your turtle is going to a good home where he will be loved and cared for.
It isn't like he died or you were forced to put him down like a dog or cat because
of illness or $ factors. I think you know in your loving, giving, caring heart that you
are doing the right thing. May God Shelter You Beneath his Mighty Wings today and the
days to come...and may you find, Peace and Comfort there.
Love and Hugs,
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
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| naturemaiden |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 07:06:09 AM
on my way to go to the new owner, crying like a baby. will be back later. thanks everyone for your support.
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| jan49829 |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 06:51:54 AM
Connie, I know exactly how you feel. Turtles are pets just like any other animal. They become a part of the family. I had 11 turtles at once, had a child's swimming pool for them outdoors, and a huge aquarium in the house in the winter. Some of the turtles were let loose by a neighbor, so after a few years I had 5 turtles left. It got to be way too much work for me, as I worked full time and was having heart problems. My husband would not help me at all. I even operated on one of the turtles, he had an ear abcess. It was hard to do, but did it and the turtle survived. I had to make the decision to let them go, so we took them to our favorite campground with a lake and released them. I cried like a baby, but knew they were better off in the wild again. You are not a bad person, just a compassionate one with a pet that you love dearly. Just think of how happy the little bot will be to get that turtle. Time will heal.
Janet
Farmgirl Sister #3340
http://hardatworkcrafts.blogspot.com
http://Jan49829.etsy.com
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| texdane |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 06:33:56 AM
Oh Connie, sweetie. You are a very wonderful, good person. The fact that you love your turtle so much and are taking the decision so seriously is proof of that right there. First of all, let me say, we had a turtle for YEARS and they are ALOT of work. We have cats, a dog, hermit crabs, fish, and a bunny, but no one was as difficult to take care of or keep clean as the turtle was. I commend you for finding him a good home, and not just letting him go, or abandoning him. That eight year old boy will get so much joy from that turtle. We loved our turtle dearly; he had a personality just like any other pet.
Letting go of someone you love, be it turtle or not, is very hard. You have a big, wonderful heart, and if that is your decision, it sounds like he is going to a good home who will love him, too.
Big hugs to you, sweet farmsister.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
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| naturemaiden |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 05:52:55 AM
thanks Kelly
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| lovinRchickens |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 05:51:50 AM
Connie
My heart just aches for you right now. I am so sorry you have to give him up. It does really make us sad when those decisions have to be made. I am sure he will be very loved in his new home. After all you loved him enough to try and make his life better. That is hard for us to do but it does show how large your heart is and how much you loved him. Prayers for you to find some comfort in the next few days.
Farmgirl #5111
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 05:27:21 AM
thanks CJ, i appreciate that :)
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Sep 28 2013 : 05:17:11 AM
Connie,
You're NOT a terrible person! Of course, you'll be sad . . . we are when we either lose or have to give up a pet. That's what makes us caring and loving. Sounds like he WILL have a great home to go to and that, perhaps, the timing is just right.
God bless you for your caring heart! Hang in there, farmgirl friend. And feeling "under the weather" just doesn't help anyone cope with this kind of decision.
I"ll be praying for you!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
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