Saturday, May 5, 2012

One Happy Turtle

 

Way back in June 1990, our oldest son, Matthew, was about to celebrate his 8th birthday. This was the era of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all four of our sons were consumed with the cartoon, action figures, t-shirts etc..

Matthew was spending his birthday weekend with his grandma and grandpa (my parents) and they have this need, as all grandparents do, to spoil the boys with gifts. My mom called me on the morning of Matt’s birthday telling me that they had been looking at aquariums and turtles and would it be ok if they got one for a birthday present. I thought, why not, I’m an animal lover, always had pets, what’s one more!?

Sunday evening, grandma and grandpa brought Matt home along with the turtle and his home. I thought sure his name would be Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo or Donatello…nope, he was fondly named “Harry”.

Jump forward almost 22 years and Harry now lives with us as Matthew’s apartment building does not allow aquariums. We just recently replaced the aquarium he had been in the last few years and we updated the pump and lights. To say he is as happy as a “pig in poop, would be putting it mildly.

One interesting note I should add, after 21 years of referring to Harry as he, “she” started laying eggs!!!

8 comments:

  1. Robbie, Wow, 21 years! I know turtles are long lived, but that is great!
    We had a couple too, when my girls were growing up! Guess who did the cleaning! They are now happy in the pond of a friend and have grown like crazy!

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    1. We have threatened to put Harry in a pond but he's such a part of the family. He has quite the personality.

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  2. Wow! Hard to believe the turtle is still alive. Now that's a lasting birthday present.

    Cool header.

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  3. I never knew that turtles lived that long?..what a great story..a nice memory of a birthday long ago..the gift that keeps on giving..Harry is a fine name for a 'girl'!.....maybe there will be new turtles?..

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    1. They can live 50 to 60 years. We have him/her for a long time yet! ;-)
      Matt's going to be 30 next month...not sure how that can be since I'm only 29!

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  4. Just found your blog through twitter--following you now. I knew turtles lived that long, but never made the connection that if they are pets, they are going to be around for a long time. (kind of like parrots, it sounds like!). Love that Harry started laying eggs at 21! :)

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    1. Thank you for the comment and the follow.
      We always joke that we will leave Harry in our will lol

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