R.I.P "Hole"

(Courtesy of American Tortoise Rescue)
Hole was named after a prominent hole someone cruelty drilled in the front of his shell to tether him years ago.  He arrived at American Tortoise Rescue 20 plus years ago after being caught in the wild near his gulf coast home and shipped to a pet store in Los Angeles.  I received a call from the pet store manager asking me if I would come in and look at one of the turtles who had been pretty much unresponsive all week - not eating or moving. 

From the beginning, it was touch and go, but he made it and became one of the rescue's favorites.  He lived outside year round always showing up for worms and loving his soaks in a plant saucer. His eyes were bright red with some white around the edges telling us that he was old. (Red eyes turn whiter as they age.)  He was always a bright spot in our daily routine and was never a problem.  During the more than 20 years we had Hole, his eyes turned completely white from red.  We guessed his age at around 50 years or more. 

Sadly many of these wild caught turtles and tortoises die from stress or shortly afterwards  en route to pet stores or breeders or even well meaning people who don't know buying turtles and tortoises is a bad thing.

You can make a tax deductible donation in Hole's memory by sending a check to American Tortoise Rescue, 30745 PCH, #243, Malibu CA 90265.  All monies go directly to the housing, feeding and medical care of turtles and tortoises.

(TAX I.D. # 93-1219374)