Another possible solution.

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Posted by Esther on May 29, 2001 at 13:50:51:

In Reply to: Already tried to speak reasonably to him posted by Michelle on May 29, 2001 at 12:51:45:

Since he is your boyfriend's father and not your own, I can understand that the situation is socially difficult and delicate (ie, you could tell your own father exactly what you think is best, etc but it is sometimes harder to communicate that to another's dad).

If I were you, I would run, not walk, to the nearest rehabber, and give them the tortoise. Do this WITHOUT telling the dad, and then the next time you encounter the dad, be self-righteous and let him know that since desert toroises are quite endangered and even illegal to own in some states, that you did the law-abiding citizen thing and turned it over to a rehabber. Tell him that you should have done this long ago with this type of tortoise, and that he will have to take matters up with the rehabber if he wants it back. And then don't give him the proper rehabber information. . .

That socially extracts you from the situation directly, and puts the effort on the dad's part to go about getting a permit, and dealing with a rehabber who will surely not give up the tortoise once you have warned them of the man's lack of responsibility. Maybe when the situation dies down you could ask for the tortoise back (but I don't know how those kinds of things work). At the worst, you'll end up on Animal Planet's Judge Wapner's Animal Court! But meanwhile, you must be commended for taking such good care of a valued species. It was very generous of you to absorb all of the care costs and extensive vet bills, and you should definitely let the rehabber know of YOUR responsible and caring history with the tortoise. Good job and good luck, whatever your choice is.

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Re: Another possible solution. Justin 05/29/01 (0)

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: Since he is your boyfriend's father and not your own, I can understand that the situation is socially difficult and delicate (ie, you could tell your own father exactly what you think is best, etc but it is sometimes harder to communicate that to another's dad). : If I were you, I would run, not walk, to the nearest rehabber, and give them the tortoise. Do this WITHOUT telling the dad, and then the next time you encounter the dad, be self-righteous and let him know that since desert toroises are quite endangered and even illegal to own in some states, that you did the law-abiding citizen thing and turned it over to a rehabber. Tell him that you should have done this long ago with this type of tortoise, and that he will have to take matters up with the rehabber if he wants it back. And then don't give him the proper rehabber information. . . : That socially extracts you from the situation directly, and puts the effort on the dad's part to go about getting a permit, and dealing with a rehabber who will surely not give up the tortoise once you have warned them of the man's lack of responsibility. Maybe when the situation dies down you could ask for the tortoise back (but I don't know how those kinds of things work). At the worst, you'll end up on Animal Planet's Judge Wapner's Animal Court! But meanwhile, you must be commended for taking such good care of a valued species. It was very generous of you to absorb all of the care costs and extensive vet bills, and you should definitely let the rehabber know of YOUR responsible and caring history with the tortoise. Good job and good luck, whatever your choice is.

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