I'm sad

[color="#cc8899"]I have 2 pet turtles at my home in Oklahoma (I am in Florida, where my current orders are for the Navy). I've had one for 5 years, the other for 3. They are relatively small, and don't cost much to take care of. The bigger one (Midget, I've had 5 years, Mud Turtle) has a 20 gallon tank, the smaller one (Tibike, 3 years, Red-Ear) a 10 gallon. They have been good companions and friends to me over the years, and I can't picture myself without them.

So why am I sad? My parents want to renovate my room in Oklahoma into an office for my dad, and turn his office into a bedroom. No idea why. My dad wants to release the turtles (both are wild) in the creek in the backyard so my parents don't have to look after them any more. My compromise is to let them release Tibike, but to hold onto Midget until I can go home and visit (next month) and take him back with me.

So I am basically giving up a pet/friend that I've had for 3 years and means a lot to me. I named him after the initials (T B K) of my then best friend, and he reminds me of a lot of the good memories I had with her (until we had a falling out my Senior year in HS). My parents don't understand - they say it's not like the turtle is a dog or cat or anything, but I don't see the difference. It's always been calming for me to look up and watch my turtles swimming around, climbing on logs, or just lounging around, and kindof reassuring (in the sense of them always being there, regardless of what's going on in my life).

I need a hug...[/COLOR]

That's pretty messed up of your parents to do; really, how hard is it to take care of turtles (especially considering they've made you happy over the years)? Kindof a cop-out, if you ask me.

[color="#cc8899"]I'm gonna miss them biting me all the time
They love biting lol, I can put my finger on the glass of their tanks and watch them snap at it and ricochet off the wall...crap, I made myself even more sad...[/COLOR]

This is touching.

I'd never give up any of my pets. I love them so much. My dog even comes to me when she realizes I'm sad ;-;

ITT: Ronery.

Seriously, tell your parents to hang on, and let you bring them with you in your visit next month. DON'T GIVE UP ON THEM. IT'S AN ORDER.

ITT: Ronery.

DID SOMEBODY SAY

-hugs-

Why can't they just wait till you come back and get them =(

A pet is a pet. Regardless of it's usefulness or size. It's the same as having two dogs and saying "Is it okay if we release them out front for someone to maybe pick-up?"

Sorry man, hope everything works out alright.

Let them know that red eared turtles are considered an invasive specie and should not be released into rivers or lakes. Tell them that even if they don't love you they should keep them for the enviroment.

Dude, ship it off and get them turtles back!

*huggles Mas*

I understand how you feel. My parents want me to leave my fish with them when I move to Canada. I know neither one of them will want to take care of the fish (they're Bettas) and I'd be so lonely without them. They're not even remotely as interactive as a cat or a dog but you are right, there's just something comforting about an aquatic pet. All their little quirks get so lovable and amusing, like how your turtles try to nibble you through the glass. It always amuses me how my fish spaz out and wiggle around in front of the glass when I go near their tanks and then they just freeze when I actually pay attention to them. Hell, I even get over-attached to my plants and my mom and I fight about throwing out even the crappiest of them. :zzz:

I hope things work out for you and you get to keep both turtles. Would you be able to keep both with you in Florida if your parents would take care of both until you can pick them up?

*huggles Mas*

I understand how you feel. My parents want me to leave my fish with them when I move to Canada. I know neither one of them will want to take care of the fish (they're Bettas) and I'd be so lonely without them. They're not even remotely as interactive as a cat or a dog but you are right, there's just something comforting about an aquatic pet. All their little quirks get so lovable and amusing, like how your turtles try to nibble you through the glass. It always amuses me how my fish spaz out and wiggle around in front of the glass when I go near their tanks and then they just freeze when I actually pay attention to them. Hell, I even get over-attached to my plants and my mom and I fight about throwing out even the crappiest of them. :zzz:

I hope things work out for you and you get to keep both turtles. Would you be able to keep both with you in Florida if your parents would take care of both until you can pick them up?

No, I am actually restricted from doing so by the rules I live under (the apartment counts as a barracks because I'm military and there is no base here, so I live under a no pets rules. However, because it isn't a barracks, I am actually allowed a small pet. ONE. No more. 2 20 gallon tanks would be too much, and they fight each other if in the same tank. I'm gonna cry when I go home in august and see only 1 turtle...

Awwwww... *huggles Mas harder* That's so sad!!! No-pet rules really really suck sometimes. My new apt in Canada doesn't allow pets either... except small fish. That means no cat that I've been wanting for the past few years. Oddly enough, I've been considering a turtle for the past few weeks. Too bad Illinois is too far from Oklahoma... Tibike could've had a good home here with me... I'd find a way to get him to Canada.