Farewell, G'Kwan

[klwilliams]

Or, to be proper, farewell, G'Quon, which was the Narn spelling of his name. He was named that because his shell looked like a Narn head.

G'Kwan had become too mean in the last couple of years. He spent most of his time hiding in wait for Dymphna. The moment she'd appear he'd be on her (literally). She would do the turtle equivalent of screaming and running when she saw him. This summer she spent mostly hiding out herself.

I was talking to a technician at my vet this week, and I had a brainstorm. I go to that vet because they treat turtles, and everyone there I've taken the turtles to has known how to handle them, without scaring the turtles or doing anything difficult (for them) at all. I told the tech about G'Kwan and that I'd like a new home for him, and why. She put up a notice internally, and within an hour I got a call from another technician who already has a tortoise and would like another one.

I just took G'Kwan to her, and I like her quite a bit. She seems to know her turtles and tortoises. I told her what little there is to know about taking care of him, and she got all of it. I gave her the spare water dish, since it's the right size for him to relax in. I think she and G'Kwan and her other tortoise are going to get along just fine. Dymphna may start relaxing and getting out and about soon, too.

I can't seem to see the screen very well. It's all gone blurry.

Comments

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a compassionate solution for both tortoises.

Sorry about the blurry-screen virus, though.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you did the right thing for him.

[lifeofglamour.livejournal.com]

You're doing the right thing for them both.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

It's so sad that it came to this. I'm sorry.

Love, C.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Aww. Though when I saw the headline, I thought he was dead! So at least he'll continue to live happily elsewhere, and now so can Dymphna.

[pennski.livejournal.com]

Yes I thought that too. I'm glad he gets to be happy elsewhere.

[helblonde.livejournal.com]

It's hard to let go. Love to you all.

[jemck.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, that's one of those situations where doing the undoubted right thing is really hard regardless. Hugs.

[julesjones]

I'm sorry it got to the point where this was the only real option. I hope both of them will be happier now.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Sounds like the Right Thing all round. Hope you can get occasional updates. I'm very grateful to the kind lady who gave Speedy a home in her walled garden after he escaped from our efforts to tortoise-proof ours. She sends me a pic every spring when he comes out of hibernation :)
Weirdly though I keep dreaming of finding him, or another tortoise, or way too many tortoises in the garden here. Wonder if you'll get that or if it only happens with pets that dig themselves down into the dirt every winter and then surprise you in spring...

[maryosmanski.livejournal.com]

It sounds to me like this was the right thing to do for the sake of both the turtles.

[katerit.livejournal.com]

You are strong and a problem-solver, but there's no real way to avoid the blurry screen. I'm sorry this was a problem you had to solve.

[(Anonymous)]

Hugs! Hopefully both turtles will be happier!

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Some years ago we had to give away one of our German Shepherds because we kept a bitch from Bridie's first litter and when the pub reached two, Bridie was totally mean to her and made her life a misery. We found someone who had lost her own German Shepherd recently, but who didn't want to go through the whole puppy thing again, so the pup went. It was sad to see her go, but totally the right decision. Sadly Bridie got the canine version of leukaemia soon after, and died age 5, but by that time the pup was resettled. I can't say I didn't regret losing the little one, but you make the decision that seems best for everyone at the time, and you have to stick to it. Hugs to you. You did the right thing.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you lost both your dogs. I think losing a cat or dog is harder than a turtle, because turtles just aren't that affectionate. At least G'Kwan wasn't. Dymphna had a slightly higher level of interaction with me, which is probably why she's the one still here.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

Belated hugs. A wise thing to do, but not easy