Peter, may he rest in peace

[Lovebirdfan]

I got up this morning and noticed Peter, my painted turtle, was not swimming right.. looked like he was floating more than using his little arms and legs.

I took him out of his tank and watched as he walked across the carpeting, only I noticed his movements seemed strained. He didn't seem to be in pain, but it was as if he lost almost all of his muscle strength. I didn't like what I was seeing, so I called my husband into the room. He looked at Peter, and we both thought Peter was not using his little legs as he should.

Peter was old. Me and my husband got him in 1986 or 87, making him 18-19 years old. That is a long time for a painted turtle to be around! Peter has always been very active, very friendly- would eat right out of our hands, he loved to explore around the house, or in our yard, and he swam around inside his tank with gusto.

I looked at him again, floating in his tank, and I fed him a bunch of his reptile sticks- always loves those-, and my husband and I took him outside. It was in the 80's, sunny and just a light breeze. We let him enjoy it for awhile, let him smell the grass and soak up the sun.

We took him to our vet at 3:00 this afternoon- a great herpotologist- and spoke with him about our options. Peter was old and getting weak, and if we'd bring him back to his tank, he would most likely drown. It was his time, and I did not want him to be in pain.

So I held Peter in my hands as my husband looked on. He's a big, strong guy, but- he had tears in his eyes and he put his head down when the doctor gave Peter an injection. The injection was to anesthetize Peter. It took about 15 minutes, as turtles metabolize everything very slowly. I held him and cried. My hands were warm, holding him and watching, and my heart was breaking.

When he was thoroughly 'out', the doctor gave him an injection, waited a few moments, and gave him one more- turtles hearts do not stop easily. But he was not in pain, and never felt the last two needles- I was assured of this. And then it was over.

Rationally, I think 'How could anyone feel this way about a turtle"-- but then I think, why not- why not feel this way? Must love be limited and dosed like a drug?

We loved this little guy and I really don't care if some people don't 'get it'.
Some people do-- and that is why I wrote this... for those that do, and for Peter.
He had a good life, and a peaceful death. We'll miss him.

[shakitty17]

Oh no. I am sorry for your loss, but I praise you in giving a little turtle such a great life with so much love.
I completely understand; pets are like family, children no least.
I think you did the right thing, even though its unimaginably hard.

[Lovebirdfan]

Thank you so much. That's why I like it here at TF's -- wonderful, caring people.

We have a houseful of animals, do wildlife rescues... so it is always difficult when it is their time to go. We got Peter from a women I worked with. Her niece and nephew found him in a pond and took him home. Of course they didn't know how to properly care for him, and by the time the neice and nephew decided it would be best if he came and lived in our home, he was deathly ill.

It took a few months and lots of attention to heal him. His growth was stunted-- but other than that, the doctor said he was going to be fine. So he is rather special. I don't like to say "was", because he always will be special.

Thanks again for your kind words. Much appreciated.

[McDenny]

I'm sorry about your loss as well. I don't think its silly that you show so much love for a turtle. I think it makes you a great preson. Not everyone appreciated their pets as they should, and it just shows you have a big heart.

[Pootspete]

My goodness I started to cry. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious painted turtle. What a sweet guy he was.

[Squawk and Howl]

Originally Posted by Lovebirdfan

Rationally, I think 'How could anyone feel this way about a turtle"-- but then I think, why not- why not feel this way? Must love be limited and dosed like a drug?

We loved this little guy and I really don't care if some people don't 'get it'.
Some people do-- and that is why I wrote this... for those that do, and for Peter.
He had a good life, and a peaceful death. We'll miss him.

aw, are you kidding me? i feel sorry for the people that "don't get it". of course you loved peter! you gave hime a good last day in the sun, and a wonderful long life. you let him peacefully pass when it got too hard for him. that is wonderful.

bless you for being a wonderfully compassionate human being!

[Oh Mowsie]

Now that I've mopped up my tears....

Awwww... sweetest Peter. Bless you for taking him to the vet and giving him the peaceful sleeping way. So many folks wouldn't care enough about a turtle to even do that for him. So... for those folks who don't "get it" Again.. you've definitely got the right board because we care about ALL creatures great and small.

We love you Peter. May you rest in peace. 18 years is a long time to share a life with a pet. He sounds wonderful and his memory will warm you for many more years.

[Lovebirdfan]

Thank you- all of you. Love hurts, but love also heals.

[Finch Boy]

I'm so sorry for you lose!

[Squawk and Howl]

Originally Posted by Lovebirdfan

Love hurts, but love also heals.

i hear ya, sister! we lost two companion animal family members last month and are still smarting. probably will for a long time to come. i hope that each day is a little easier for you.

[Lovebirdfan]

Yes, Dani- I remember following your threads during that time and how difficult it must have been for you and your wife. The house's rhythm changes, energy shifts.. the pain is a high price to pay for love, but it is worth it. These friends make our lives so rich, so colorful.

[MadHen]

I'm so sorry for your loss. When I was still a child, I had a hamster who eventually became too old to care for himself. He lived until he was seven, which is unheard of in hamsters, and he waited for me to come get him before he died, so he could say goodbye. This hamster had grown up with me and was my constant before and after school companion. He slept in my pocket and I used to make him complicated mazes out of Lego blocks, so he would never get bored. He even had a cameo role in one of my school plays! I will always remember and love him.

Some time later, I had another hamster who developed a tumour. I couldn't bring myself to go in to the vet's office with him when he had to be put down. I just sat in the car and cried. To this day, I regret my decision, and wish I could have been there, probably more for me than for him.

You did the right thing for your turtle. The grief we feel is for our own loss, as we know that when we lose a pet, we give up a little piece of our hearts that no other being can fill. But after a while, the grief and pain goes away, although the ache never does, and we are left with wonderful memories of a loved and special pet, and a relationship that was unique and irreplaceable. And to me, the rewards of having those memories is worth that little piece of my heart.

[Lovebirdfan]

Thank you Donna.. I just read your reply.. so touching. Thanks for your kind words.

[Empathy]

I'm soo sorry I also dont understand people who say, " oh its just an animal"... in some cases, animals is all the person has, losing a pet can be just as heartbreaking as losing a human friend.
Again, I'm really sorry, my heart goes out to you

[Lovebirdfan]

Thank you so much Victoria, and everyone who had commented. It means a lot to me. I like this site so much not only because of the information shared, but also because we share the ups and downs life brings us.

Since the time I wrote this, I noticed Gladys (Peter's roomate), wouldn't go up on her rocks to sun herself. She mostly stayed in one corner of the tank under water... whereas before she would happily sun herself for hours and swim around the tank with Peter..

I am not sure if it was a security thing or that she missed her buddy.. but I couldn't stand it any more.. she just wasn't herself and I didn't want to see her health fail.

So-- my husband and I went to a pet store that specializes in reptiles, and picked out a very cute red eared slider. We call her Gertie.

At first when we put Gertie in the tank, they each claimed a spot at either side of the tank... staying as far away from each other as possible.

That lasted a couple of days.. then they got curious about each other. I found they would 'test the waters' by climbing on top of each other under water, following each other as they swam around, and sleeping together under water.

Two days ago I looked in the tank and saw Gladys up on the rocks again!!
She and Gertie were piled on top of each other, soaking up some 'sun' and heat from the lamps.

They looked so happy and content.. I new I did the best for Gladys by getting her a friend. So although I needed another animal in the house as much as I need a hole in my head, (I think I spend more on groceries for them than I do for me and my husband!! NO joke. )... it is such an absolute joy to see them together.

Animals make our lives so much richer.. and I hope we can do the same for them. Thanks for reading this post and sharing life's wonders.

[WolfRyder]

Karen, that's awesome! I'm so glad Gladys has a friend and finds life worth living again

[Pootspete]

Hi Karen, thanks so much all of you for keeping this thread running. It is wonderful how Gladys and Gerdie are buds now and Gladys is feeling a whole lot better and you Karen too by witnessing these two getting along. You did the right thing getting Gerdie for Gladys! Should bring a to anyone.

[Bill the Crocodile]

Karen, our prayers are with Peter and your family. I feel your pain... it may be very soon that we have to make that decision with Sean, I envy your strength as at this point I am not sure I can make that decision though in my heart I know it would be right... Once again, we are so sorry for your loss! Wait and you'll meat Peter again at least that what I kept telling myself when we lost Wolf, Max and Rocky... (all in one day)...
*hugs*
p.s. I did wildelife rehab for a while, and m heart ached every time I couldn't save someone... I know the feeling!

[Lovebirdfan]

Alena, thank you for your kind words. Three in one day?! Oh, my gosh, that is so horrible!! Please read post # 15 in this thread for an update.
Thanks again!! By the way... I do wildlife rescues and rehab too!!
karen

[Bill the Crocodile]

Karen, I totally hear you about grocery bills... my Bill eats better than we do... Cats are easy- they just get three kinds of cat food and occasionally eat of my plate. As to the new friend- I absolutly agree! Every time I lose a shark from my fishtank I get them a new friend just to keep them social! I don't think of it as replacing a pet, it's giving a home to a critter who needs it. As to three in one day- we had a house fire back in 2002... lightning actually did the killing, but we didn't know that untill couple days later, so when we arrived to find our house in flames, 1st thing we tryed to do- get inside and get our pets out... but we couldn't go past the stairs... I can clearly remember that a piece of burning shingle fell into my hair, I pulled it out and looked at it in the palm of my hand, when my mother hit me on my hand so I drop it... later when all the emergency responce people arrived, my mom told them I need to have my hand looked at because I held the burning shingle but there was nothing on my hand...- I guess shock does that... your body doesn't even get physical damage... Anyway, 2 weeks after we settled down I needed a cat, and luckily I found one that needed me as well He's now my biggest pain in the butt (or feet depending on what he scratches) but I still love him dearly. Fish and Bill, are all rescues who needed me more than I needed them, but all of them are dear members of my family! So, congratulations on the new friend

[Lovebirdfan]

Actually, Shauna was the one who has the Amazon bird. (I had just replied to her post)
Alena, I am so sorry to hear what happened to your home and to your animals.
I would be in shock too! I can't even imagine the terror you must have felt. That is one of my biggest nightmares.... to be helpless to save my animals from anything that may harm them! It must have been heartbreaking. I am very sorry.

Right now me and my husband share our home with 2 tortoises, 4 turtles, 4 cats, (we're fostering 2 cats, and 2 our are own) 5 lovebirds, and 5 parakeets-- so food bills run high! And then there are the vet bills, and special items they need, and toys, and cages, and tanks and .... and... and.... and then we also take in wildlife rescues occasionally.. so it is a full house!

BUT THEY ARE WORTH EVERY CENT! And then some.

[Bill the Crocodile]

Karen, yah I realized that after I read over- what got posted, I had 3 windows opened and got screwed up reading writing and telling my family to leave me alone for a minute.... I am sure you know how that feelts... I apologize for the mix up As to helplessness... I think my mother suffered the most... she's used to being a hero, and a few hours after we were in the safety and comfort of our friends, and the shock started to wear off my mother said " I am sorry I couldn't save them for you..." It was so deep... I felt like a little child again when my first parakeet died- we didn't know it was her and she was egg bound. After that my mother sent me to psycologist- because she was afraid I am going to blame her somehow...
As to food bills... well I am lucky I don't pay for all of my pets. but it sure feels like I always feed someone... I can't go downstairs without someone asking food or water... I even wake up twice a night feeding or giving water to Sean (he's on prednizon- you can imagine)... But, I don't regrate anything... every bit of it is worth a lifetime of love!

[Lovebirdfan]

every bit of it is worth a lifetime of love!

For sure! They are in our lives for too short of a time it seems, but all we can do is enjoy them, make things comfortable, provide love, proper nutrition, excercise and mental stimulation... and know we did our best.