Tortoise shelled in WW1 needs a new home

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4481850/Tortoise-shelled-in-WW1-needs-a-new-home.html#ixzz28AJbVxVr

By CHRIS POLLARD
Published: 11th August 2012

WILDLIFE experts are looking to rehome a tortoise rescued from a battlefield — in 1915.

A soldier tucked Blake into his kitbag to save him from the shells and bombs at Gallipoli in Turkey.

The rescued tortoise then survived a 2,000-mile sea trip from the World War One battleground to the UK to start a new life in the Tommy’s garden in Blakeney, Norfolk.

His soldier owner — thought to be called Mr Marris — died more than 30 years ago.

Blake, a spur-thighed tortoise,was taken on by animal lover Marion Skinner in 1983 — but she can no longer care for him because she has a bad back.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4481850/Tortoise-shelled-in-WW1-needs-a-new-home.html#ixzz28B8uAK8e


FULL story and photo at link.

[DURHAM D]

1. aaaah I want it.

[slackmaster]

2. Cute! My desert tortoise is estimated to be about 45 years old. I've had him since 1995.

I'm 54 and fully expect to have him out-live me by a long, long time.

[DollarBillHines]

6. 1968, here.

see my reply down-thread.

[kas125]

14. I can't even imagine having the same pet for all those years; that is

so cool! I always say that dogs and cats don't live as long as we do, just to give us the opportunity to have even more of them share our lives. Maybe tortoises say the same thing about people...

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

3. Wow, he must be well over 100

if he was already living in 1915. I have a Texas Desert Tortoise that's about 40 years old and he'll probably outlive me by decades. He's my best friend.

[Arugula Latte]

4. That is amazing!

Aw, Blake old man, I hope you find a good home.

[DollarBillHines]

5. I would take it.

I have a Desert Tortoise and I just love him. I found him in the Mojave in 1968 when I was on a nation-wide motorcycle trek. He was with me all the way.

They are threatened now, but Herb is legal.

He's hilarious and will come when called. People who have never been to my house are always delighted when I simply shout "Herb!" a few times and he shows up maybe five minutes later.

[marble falls]

7. I've know to show up in less five minutes when "Herb!" is called out, too. And not just because ....

my name is Herb (which it is).

[DollarBillHines]

8. I have witnessed same.

We play a lot of music at our house (this town is full of great musicians and our house can handle quite a crowd).

But just let me holler "Herb" in the kitchen and watch it fill up in a hurry.

[marble falls]

10. Soooooooooooo ..... where is this crowed kitchen, anyways.......?

[renate]

9. oh that is SO CUTE!

Too adorable--both the fact that he comes when he's called and the way that it takes five minutes.

[DollarBillHines]

12. He's a sweetheart

I have a pretty good-sized house and my den is set up for playing music. My town is full of great Bay-Area musicians and we get together weekly at my house.

Herb loves music, I think he likes the vibes thru his shell.

When we start playing, Herb will - every time, unless he is hibernating - shuffle into the room, extend his neck and look around until he spots me. Then, just like a dog, he will ambles over and lies at my feet.

Women just love him. I wish I could get Herb's gig.
DBH

[BlancheSplanchnik]

19. awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

I've always wanted a pet tortoise. They're so cute.



Miss my pet toads; they're really special too and have tons of personality. Toadsies was a cutie and a laff riot.

[underpants]

11. He "mated" just last year......way to go dude!

[lumberjack_jeff]

20. The 140-year-old virgin? n/t

[underpants]

22. He's French

I doubt that was the first....

[lastlib]

13. Could Mitch McConnell use a housemate?

(Probly a horrible thing to wish on a real tortoise.....)

[valerief]

15. Great subject line! Cute tortoise, too. nt

[B Stieg]

16. Sounds like Herb should have his own reality show

It would be far more interesting than watching the Kardashians!

[MineralMan]

17. And what a handsome fellow he is, too.

I'm sure he'll be adopted and be living in a nice garden soon.

[Omaha Steve]

18. At one time when our kids were little in the early 80's..

We had over 20 different species of turtles at one time in our house. I believe our kids learned a lot about science and animals at the same time from it.

[xchrom]

21. du rec. Nt