I purchased Virgil . . .

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Posted by Lisa and Virgil on April 21, 2002 at 23:28:23:

In Reply to: I'd like your thoughts on this. Discussion in progress? posted by wendi on April 21, 2002 at 15:16:10:

: It's interesting to read how many people hold their tortoises a lot BUT, this brings up an interesting thought. Mind you, I'm saying right off the bat I'm not criticizing either camp... just commenting. Now, in hopes of starting an interesting discussion, not a fight:
: There seems to be a couple of schools of thought here. You can hold your tortoise a lot. Make it very tame and amenable to carrying, holding, petting, etc...or you can treat it in a more natural(?) (how natural can it be in a domestic situation?) way. No holding or carrying except as a means of transport with some head rubs and scratches if your tort enjoys that. I have to say it never even entered my mind to carry Tofu around, or hold her a lot. To me (again I stress, MY OPINION ONLY. Not in any way indicating that my way is the right way) it seemed too much like treating a tortoise like a domestic animal, a dog perhaps. I felt I was respecting her rights. Weird, huh?
: I would be curious to hear all of your feelings on the subject. Why did you choose to treat your tortoise the way you did?... remember, play nice.

for a pet. Not for a science project to study how he would behave without human interference. From others' stories it is obvious that, sulcata anyway, have wonderful personalities and to not take advantage of that, by either holding them or packing them around on day trips, would be a shame. Viril doesn't mind being held and because of that he was most photogenic at the Christmas pictures with Santa fund raiser. He was a hit with everyone. I don't hold him excessively, but I can't imagine not picking him up daily just to tell him 'hi' whether he comprehends it on any level or not. Also, at some point he'll be too heavy to lug around and if he's very well socialized it may make moving him where I want him a little easier. Bottom line, he's just too CUTE not to hold. Now, my RES HATE being held, so I pick them up occasionally just to p*ss them off. Isn't that wicked? And last, but not least ... Hmmm ... you don't respect your dog's rights? I don't understand the difference. Your question was very interesting. Thanks.

Follow Ups:

the downside of writing your opinion. wendi 04/22/02 (2)
- Stop . . . Lisa and Virgil 04/22/02 (1)
  - Don't worry about it. I wasn't sure. wendi 04/22/02 (0)
P.S. Tofu is adorable. n/p Lisa and Virgil 04/21/02 (1)
- Thanks. Aren't they all? wendi 04/22/02 (0)

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: : It's interesting to read how many people hold their tortoises a lot BUT, this brings up an interesting thought. Mind you, I'm saying right off the bat I'm not criticizing either camp... just commenting. Now, in hopes of starting an interesting discussion, not a fight: : : There seems to be a couple of schools of thought here. You can hold your tortoise a lot. Make it very tame and amenable to carrying, holding, petting, etc...or you can treat it in a more natural(?) (how natural can it be in a domestic situation?) way. No holding or carrying except as a means of transport with some head rubs and scratches if your tort enjoys that. I have to say it never even entered my mind to carry Tofu around, or hold her a lot. To me (again I stress, MY OPINION ONLY. Not in any way indicating that my way is the right way) it seemed too much like treating a tortoise like a domestic animal, a dog perhaps. I felt I was respecting her rights. Weird, huh? : : I would be curious to hear all of your feelings on the subject. Why did you choose to treat your tortoise the way you did?... remember, play nice. : for a pet. Not for a science project to study how he would behave without human interference. From others' stories it is obvious that, sulcata anyway, have wonderful personalities and to not take advantage of that, by either holding them or packing them around on day trips, would be a shame. Viril doesn't mind being held and because of that he was most photogenic at the Christmas pictures with Santa fund raiser. He was a hit with everyone. I don't hold him excessively, but I can't imagine not picking him up daily just to tell him 'hi' whether he comprehends it on any level or not. Also, at some point he'll be too heavy to lug around and if he's very well socialized it may make moving him where I want him a little easier. Bottom line, he's just too CUTE not to hold. Now, my RES HATE being held, so I pick them up occasionally just to p*ss them off. Isn't that wicked? And last, but not least ... Hmmm ... you don't respect your dog's rights? I don't understand the difference. Your question was very interesting. Thanks.

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