Might be sensitive......

Caroline McI · 13-07-2007, 03:33 PM

I'm moving South (all the way down to England

) in the next few weeks.
I'll obviously be taking Cookie and Lottie but I think I'm going to have a
sensitive situation to deal with. A senior colleague has one or two tortoises and
has already said "Oh they'll all have to meet". She is trying to be nice but I've
realised that mixing them would not be a good idea. Is this correct?

I'll have to tell her I learned this from SW as I don't want her to think I'm being
ignorant. She has also told me she keeps hers in a viv so I would love to tell
her that's not the best for them. I was thinking of telling her about SW so she could
join, then she'd maybe see it for herself without me feeling awkward.

Does that make sense?

Also what's the best and safest way to transport Cookie and Lottie? Will they more than
likey sleep most of the way? it'll be about 10 hrs drive.

Pussygalore · 13-07-2007, 04:06 PM

I personally wouldn,t say anymore about your torts to your work friends she might forget or if the worst came to it you could always say their in isolation but if you don,t mention them to her or change the subject its better than saying no they can,t meet, Iv,e never traveled mine other than to get tootsie chipped and we took her in a wicker basket which was a Big mistake she obviously got either excited or stressed because she pooped and as she couldn,t get away from the poop went everywhere and god did it smell, she then followed it by weeing in the basket and on the vets table, so I,d make sure that they have enough space to not sit in it, can,t they go in their table or is that to big what ever you do take them in take spare newspaper , wipes and air freshener if their big torts like mine was.

**Eire_Ade** · 13-07-2007, 04:07 PM

Hi Caroline,

Meeting isn't a great idea because of cross contamination as you said.

Get your collegue to come and look at the forum, it will save you the awkward situation that might arise, telling her that she is doing anything wrong, tortoise keeping is a learning curve, many of the older keeprs here remeber the times when vivs were the best thing since sliced bread, but times and studies have been shown to be otherwise, like you she is probably going on the information given to her at the time she got her tortoises, but unlike you she knows no different.

As for the 10 hour journey, when I bring my tortoises over to the UK they have a temporary home in large storage boxes, these are sat on the back seat of the car.

I tend to favour moving the tortoises over night, catching a night ferry, at least this way the tortoises are generally asleep for the majority of the trip, and setlte down really well.

If however you travel in the day used the same method but perhaps stop half way and give the tortoises a little soak in a shallow dish and a few dandilions along the way, it might be too cool for them to very active anyway so might sleep along the way.

I make sure the boxes have got safety belts around them to as it will keep the load more secure whilst driving.

I hope this helps.

Ade

sandy · 13-07-2007, 04:08 PM

I think its a good idea for you to say to your friend, that since you have been a member of
this group, you have found a new upto date way of keeping tortoises<g>. By thinking of how
they would be in the wild. Then ask if she would like to join.
Putting your tortoises in a box, with substrate so they can bury down if they need to. Also if
you can find a suitable place to stop and give them a quick bath, to keep them hydrated it
would be good. Try if possible to keep them as cool as you can as this will stop them getting to
active for the journey. Shredded paper on top of them also can help.

Pussygalore · 13-07-2007, 04:15 PM

I worked with a guy who I found out had 4 hermans and was keeping , feeding them the old fashioned ways I did mention SW but had to tread very softley as I had to work with him and didn,t want to offend or cause an arguement I just said that I was a member of a very good forum well worth a look or something similar and left it at that, it,ll be hard enough making new freinds and selting in without starting of on the wrong foot.

EJ · 13-07-2007, 04:16 PM

Politely explain that it's not a good idea to put them together for the safety of their tortoise and your own.

As to the viv, I'd suggest looking at the setup before making any comments. Who knows they might something to show you.

Caroline McI · 13-07-2007, 04:19 PM

PG, I think it's unlikey she'll forget, last time she phoned to check on something
she said she'd had hers in the bath that weekend. The last two places I've worked
they must have been sick of me talking about Cookie

so I'll find it very difficult
not to mention her and Lottie. I plan to make sure they have plenty room to walk around
in when I take them, and I always have spare toilet or kitchen roll in case there are any
poo's.

Caroline McI · 13-07-2007, 04:22 PM

Ade and Sandy, we will stop a few times I'm sure so that's a good idea
about a wee bath, I could take a smaller container and maybe get some
warm water from Services and pop them in it. I'll give them a wee walk
around outside if possible too.

I was planning to sit next to them Ade, I usually go in the back with them
even if it's only the five minute journey to my mum's garden

Caroline McI · 13-07-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pussygalore

I worked with a guy who I found out had 4 hermans and was keeping , feeding them the old fashioned ways I did mention SW but had to tread very softley as I had to work with him and didn,t want to offend or cause an arguement I just said that I was a member of a very good forum well worth a look or something similar and left it at that, it,ll be hard enough making new freinds and selting in without starting of on the wrong foot.

Exactly, I don't want to appear as a "know it all" because obviously I'm not,
but she did say her daughter was a member of some group that meet up.
She does seem like the type of person who might be grateful for the info
about SW.

**Eire_Ade** · 13-07-2007, 04:27 PM

If the tortoises arent the same species they should never meet anyway so this may be a get out clause for you.

If however you visit and show them to the woman you should both disinfect your hands with antibacterial hand scrub in between handling to stop cross contamination.

To put your tortoises anywhere her tortoises has been is a no no too, as the area is possibly harbouring any potential diseases you are avoiding in the first place.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with your tortoises or your new friends, its just precautionary as prevention is better than any cure.

Ade

13-07-2007, 03:33 PM	#1
Caroline McI Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Scotland, moved to Sussex (sunnier for Cookie) Posts: 649	Might be sensitive...... I'm moving South (all the way down to England ) in the next few weeks. I'll obviously be taking Cookie and Lottie but I think I'm going to have a sensitive situation to deal with. A senior colleague has one or two tortoises and has already said "Oh they'll all have to meet". She is trying to be nice but I've realised that mixing them would not be a good idea. Is this correct? I'll have to tell her I learned this from SW as I don't want her to think I'm being ignorant. She has also told me she keeps hers in a viv so I would love to tell her that's not the best for them. I was thinking of telling her about SW so she could join, then she'd maybe see it for herself without me feeling awkward. Does that make sense? Also what's the best and safest way to transport Cookie and Lottie? Will they more than likey sleep most of the way? it'll be about 10 hrs drive. __________________ *********************** Love me, love Cookie R.I.P Lottie, we miss you x

13-07-2007, 04:07 PM	#3
Eire_Ade Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,422	Hi Caroline, Meeting isn't a great idea because of cross contamination as you said. Get your collegue to come and look at the forum, it will save you the awkward situation that might arise, telling her that she is doing anything wrong, tortoise keeping is a learning curve, many of the older keeprs here remeber the times when vivs were the best thing since sliced bread, but times and studies have been shown to be otherwise, like you she is probably going on the information given to her at the time she got her tortoises, but unlike you she knows no different. As for the 10 hour journey, when I bring my tortoises over to the UK they have a temporary home in large storage boxes, these are sat on the back seat of the car. I tend to favour moving the tortoises over night, catching a night ferry, at least this way the tortoises are generally asleep for the majority of the trip, and setlte down really well. If however you travel in the day used the same method but perhaps stop half way and give the tortoises a little soak in a shallow dish and a few dandilions along the way, it might be too cool for them to very active anyway so might sleep along the way. I make sure the boxes have got safety belts around them to as it will keep the load more secure whilst driving. I hope this helps. Ade __________________ Ade ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ) My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera)

13-07-2007, 04:08 PM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	I think its a good idea for you to say to your friend, that since you have been a member of this group, you have found a new upto date way of keeping tortoises<g>. By thinking of how they would be in the wild. Then ask if she would like to join. Putting your tortoises in a box, with substrate so they can bury down if they need to. Also if you can find a suitable place to stop and give them a quick bath, to keep them hydrated it would be good. Try if possible to keep them as cool as you can as this will stop them getting to active for the journey. Shredded paper on top of them also can help. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

13-07-2007, 04:16 PM	#6
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	Politely explain that it's not a good idea to put them together for the safety of their tortoise and your own. As to the viv, I'd suggest looking at the setup before making any comments. Who knows they might something to show you. __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

13-07-2007, 04:19 PM	#7
Caroline McI Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Scotland, moved to Sussex (sunnier for Cookie) Posts: 649	PG, I think it's unlikey she'll forget, last time she phoned to check on something she said she'd had hers in the bath that weekend. The last two places I've worked they must have been sick of me talking about Cookie so I'll find it very difficult not to mention her and Lottie. I plan to make sure they have plenty room to walk around in when I take them, and I always have spare toilet or kitchen roll in case there are any poo's. __________________ *********************** Love me, love Cookie R.I.P Lottie, we miss you x

13-07-2007, 04:06 PM	#2
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	I personally wouldn,t say anymore about your torts to your work friends she might forget or if the worst came to it you could always say their in isolation but if you don,t mention them to her or change the subject its better than saying no they can,t meet, Iv,e never traveled mine other than to get tootsie chipped and we took her in a wicker basket which was a Big mistake she obviously got either excited or stressed because she pooped and as she couldn,t get away from the poop went everywhere and god did it smell, she then followed it by weeing in the basket and on the vets table, so I,d make sure that they have enough space to not sit in it, can,t they go in their table or is that to big what ever you do take them in take spare newspaper , wipes and air freshener if their big torts like mine was.

13-07-2007, 04:15 PM	#5
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	I worked with a guy who I found out had 4 hermans and was keeping , feeding them the old fashioned ways I did mention SW but had to tread very softley as I had to work with him and didn,t want to offend or cause an arguement I just said that I was a member of a very good forum well worth a look or something similar and left it at that, it,ll be hard enough making new freinds and selting in without starting of on the wrong foot.

13-07-2007, 04:22 PM	#8
Caroline McI Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Scotland, moved to Sussex (sunnier for Cookie) Posts: 649	Ade and Sandy, we will stop a few times I'm sure so that's a good idea about a wee bath, I could take a smaller container and maybe get some warm water from Services and pop them in it. I'll give them a wee walk around outside if possible too. I was planning to sit next to them Ade, I usually go in the back with them even if it's only the five minute journey to my mum's garden __________________ *********************** Love me, love Cookie R.I.P Lottie, we miss you x

13-07-2007, 04:27 PM	#10
Eire_Ade Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,422	If the tortoises arent the same species they should never meet anyway so this may be a get out clause for you. If however you visit and show them to the woman you should both disinfect your hands with antibacterial hand scrub in between handling to stop cross contamination. To put your tortoises anywhere her tortoises has been is a no no too, as the area is possibly harbouring any potential diseases you are avoiding in the first place. I am not saying there is anything wrong with your tortoises or your new friends, its just precautionary as prevention is better than any cure. Ade __________________ Ade ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ) My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera)

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