Day Nine

Like I said, I did eat a lot the first few days and was pretty active. I even gained 66 grams so I weigh 3100 now. That's pretty light for me still so I need to eat a lot of protein-rich foods to gain weight and build muscle. So I keep finding a salad bar wherever I go.



Even though they keep dragging me out to try to interest me in food, I'm a mid-morning tortoise, and just not interested when it's closer to my bedtime. You know what they say about early to bed and fairly early to rise, makes a tortoise healthy and able to go mano a mano (really, gular horn to gular horn) with Tortellini.

Maybe they'll finish landscaping my burrow soon. I do like my new reed awning for extra privacy. The lizards are always a little surprised when they see me tucked in behind the doorway. You can almost see them putting on the brakes before they scurry away. My work is done. It's good to be outside but it will be better when that barricade comes down.

Rehab moves outside

Well, I thought I was going to get free rein in the backyard but Dr. Johnson said no, I have to be monitored every day for two weeks to make sure I start eating on my own. I also need weekly soaks in my little blue pan. So rehab is ongoing, only it's outdoors now.

After Dr. Johnson said my red blood count is stable afterall, and there were no parasites in my poop, they let me go outside. So I made a beeline for the burrow after letting Tortellini know I'm Back and In Charge, and it's time to scoot over and let me have my favorite spot in the burrow. Yep, that's what I said as I bobbed my head and shoved her a bit to drive home my point. It's a good thing she's not super alert yet as she outweighs me by 800 grams!



But I got the shock of my life when I found they had blocked the entrance. What the ...? Can you see my frustration? Did you know a tortoise could be so exasperated after waiting 8 months for this homecoming?



Well never underestimate my determination. I promtply climbed on top of the burrow to look for another way in. Finally I took the plunge and was saved from hurting myself by my tortoise dad. I could be the world's first bungee jumping tortoise, that's just how determined and fearless I am after dreaming of getting back in my burrow for so long.



So it was back to the drawing board. Tortoise dad built a new burrow just for me. I didn't like that one bit. Then they divided the back yard between the two burrows with a giant barricade. People who visit laugh and say, "Tear down this wall" like some important person. Yep, that's what I'd like too.



Meanwhile, here's my new burrow for at least two weeks. It's my job to perk up and feed myself so I can gain weight. I did eat twice and gained 66 grams but I haven't been very perky since. For one thing, I do not like coming out later in the day. I only like mid-morning but it takes someone being able to pull me out of the burrow first. I know, I'm not cooperating very well. But really, I'm just adjusting to this new burrow and suddenly it's hot and I have my own schedule now. I'm on tortoise time now.