THE STORY OF PHIL...

terrific tortoises · 26-08-2006, 05:01 PM

...Approx. 8 years ago, I rescued 2 torts called "Phil and Lill"...They had been attacked by a large dog (the owners new dog!) This idiot had owned these torts for 27 years, and had basically let them live their lives in his garden, even letting them hibernate themselves under a compost heap.
Anyway he got his new dog (a rottweiler) and just left the dog in his back garden along with the torts, whilst he went to work!!!...you can imagine what happened!

They were in a terrible state, the dog had mauled them quite badly, Phil had the worst injuries, he had a huge wound in one front limb, his other front limb wounded aswell, his carapace and plastron had also been chewed upon. Lill had a wound on top of her carapace and plastron, and also showed signs of being chewed.

I took them straight to the vets, the vet said that Phil might not recover, I assisted the vet by holding Phil up whilst he removed full size maggotts from Phils wounds! Lill was given a good chance of survival, but Phils future looked bleak. Looking back now, I dont think the vet did all he could for Phil, his tort experience was very limited?

My wife helped me put fresh bandages on phils front limbs every day for 6 weeks, along with the ususal bathing/cleaning etc. I knew the only way for him to heal and survive, was to get as much benefit from the sun as possible, yet not get re-infested by Flies/maggotts. Lill was eating and healing quite rapid, but it took some time for Phil to eat anything. But he made it in the end, and although he carries some battle scars, he is still alive and kicking, he is a big tort too, here are some photos I took today...T.T. 8)

Henry-flash · 26-08-2006, 05:04 PM

I'm gladthey had a happy ending. Some people are such idiots.Glad yourescued the torts. Can't see the pics though

newforestmum · 26-08-2006, 05:06 PM

sorry I can't see any photos yet either

terrific tortoises · 26-08-2006, 05:07 PM

You are so quick pete (thats why your flash I guess

) I pressed the wrong button!!! the pics are there now mate

...T.T. 8)

Henry-flash · 26-08-2006, 05:09 PM

Just me being impatient

He looks great considering hes been in the wars.Nice to see him eating too

Jeremiah · 26-08-2006, 05:11 PM

I can see the 'photos, and I have to say that he is a credit to you. He's a smashing looking tortoise and by all accounts owes his lucky life you you and your wife.
I love a story with a happy ending............thanks for sharing it with us,
Louise

terrific tortoises · 26-08-2006, 05:15 PM

Henry-flash, there is something else in one of the pics to see aswell

...can you find it though young flash?!

...

Jeremiah, thanks for your kind words...T.T. 8)

Henry-flash · 26-08-2006, 05:22 PM

I take it its not the tape measure

newforestmum · 26-08-2006, 05:30 PM

great pictures as always

terrific tortoises · 26-08-2006, 05:32 PM

Henry-flash,

Quote:

I take it its not the tape measure

your right

, its not the tape measure, it is in 2 pics though

...

stells and newforestmum, cheers

...T.T. 8)

26-08-2006, 05:01 PM	#1
terrific tortoises Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 861	THE STORY OF PHIL... ...Approx. 8 years ago, I rescued 2 torts called "Phil and Lill"...They had been attacked by a large dog (the owners new dog!) This idiot had owned these torts for 27 years, and had basically let them live their lives in his garden, even letting them hibernate themselves under a compost heap. Anyway he got his new dog (a rottweiler) and just left the dog in his back garden along with the torts, whilst he went to work!!!...you can imagine what happened! They were in a terrible state, the dog had mauled them quite badly, Phil had the worst injuries, he had a huge wound in one front limb, his other front limb wounded aswell, his carapace and plastron had also been chewed upon. Lill had a wound on top of her carapace and plastron, and also showed signs of being chewed. I took them straight to the vets, the vet said that Phil might not recover, I assisted the vet by holding Phil up whilst he removed full size maggotts from Phils wounds! Lill was given a good chance of survival, but Phils future looked bleak. Looking back now, I dont think the vet did all he could for Phil, his tort experience was very limited? My wife helped me put fresh bandages on phils front limbs every day for 6 weeks, along with the ususal bathing/cleaning etc. I knew the only way for him to heal and survive, was to get as much benefit from the sun as possible, yet not get re-infested by Flies/maggotts. Lill was eating and healing quite rapid, but it took some time for Phil to eat anything. But he made it in the end, and although he carries some battle scars, he is still alive and kicking, he is a big tort too, here are some photos I took today...T.T. 8) __________________

26-08-2006, 05:04 PM	#2
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	I'm gladthey had a happy ending. Some people are such idiots.Glad yourescued the torts. Can't see the pics though __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

26-08-2006, 05:06 PM	#3
newforestmum Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Forest, Hampshire Posts: 555	sorry I can't see any photos yet either __________________ Lisa

26-08-2006, 05:07 PM	#4
terrific tortoises Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 861	You are so quick pete (thats why your flash I guess ) I pressed the wrong button!!! the pics are there now mate ...T.T. 8) __________________

26-08-2006, 05:09 PM	#5
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	Just me being impatient He looks great considering hes been in the wars.Nice to see him eating too __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

26-08-2006, 05:11 PM	#6
Jeremiah Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wexford, Ireland Posts: 69	I can see the 'photos, and I have to say that he is a credit to you. He's a smashing looking tortoise and by all accounts owes his lucky life you you and your wife. I love a story with a happy ending............thanks for sharing it with us, Louise __________________ 1.1.0 Hermanns 0.0.1 Sulcata 0.0.1 Spur thighed http://www.madeforanangel.etsy.com

26-08-2006, 05:15 PM	#7
terrific tortoises Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 861	Henry-flash, there is something else in one of the pics to see aswell ...can you find it though young flash?! ... Jeremiah, thanks for your kind words...T.T. 8) __________________

26-08-2006, 05:22 PM	#8
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	I take it its not the tape measure __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

26-08-2006, 05:30 PM	#9
newforestmum Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Forest, Hampshire Posts: 555	great pictures as always __________________ Lisa

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