One of our tortoises died this morning

[Melanie]

One of Thea's tortoises died this morning, he was only two years old bless him.
he was fine when we went to bed last last but when we got up this morning and went to get them both out to for a wander in the house he was dead The other one is fine but Toast (the one who died) was always a bit smaller than Ortise and had had some problems in the past with swollen eyes etc, he just wasnt well from us first getting him to be honest. We think he must have gotten too cold and being smaller could cope with it. I've moved the tortoise house just incase it was too cold ( it does have heat lamps) .
I haven't told Thea, im not sure how to. When we brought Ortise out this morning i told her that Toast was still asleep. How do you tell a two year old one of their pets is dead?

 

[Manda&Thomas]

oh no poor Thea
xx

 

[Sherlock]

Awww I'm so sorry to hear Maybe the sleeping approach is the way to go.

I thought they hibernated over the winter

 

[Manda&Thomas]

Awww I'm so sorry to hear Maybe the sleeping approach is the way to go.

I thought they hibernated over the winter

you shouldnt hibernate a tortiose that is/has been ill as they need to be droppped down to a cold level and any illness that may not be fully sorted out can and will kill a tortoise
also if this is the first winter you have had them you shouldnt hibernate them
unless they are the few species that doesnt get hibanated
xx

 

[Melanie]

Awww I'm so sorry to hear Maybe the sleeping approach is the way to go.

I thought they hibernated over the winter

We didnt hibernate them this year because Toast had been ill and the vet said that it would be better if neither of them went into hibernation this year because they were underweight we got them from people who werent looking after them properly.

 

[beanie]

oh no It is horrible when a pet dies. I am a mean mummy, when Seren's guinea pig died I just told her that Podge had died and would not wake up. She said bye to her and just accepted it. I know some people would disagree with my approach but then I disagree with lying to them and telling them that their pet has run off, or gone to live with someone else etc. But you will know what is the best way with Thea

 

[Melanie]

I think i may just be honest with her too Beanie. I dont like the idea of lying to her but im unsure of how much detail to go into.

 

[Suzie and Faith]

I would tell her that he has died - but try and get the sleeping thing in too - tell her it has gone to heaven and things too r.i.p toast xxxxx

 

[Sherlock]

Awww I'm so sorry to hear Maybe the sleeping approach is the way to go.

I thought they hibernated over the winter

We didnt hibernate them this year because Toast had been ill and the vet said that it would be better if neither of them went into hibernation this year because they were underweight we got them from people who werent looking after them properly.

Ah explains it then Wasn't criticising btw, just wondering was all.

 

[Lou]

Sorry to hear your sad news Its horrible when pets die.

I'm not sure I would explain to Isaac about death yet, tricky one isn't it, I mean you don't want to lie but you also don't want it to play on their mind either. Although kids are very open and accepting of things so might be better to tell the truth.

Hope she's not too upset hun

 

[beanie]

I think i may just be honest with her too Beanie. I dont like the idea of lying to her but im unsure of how much detail to go into.

I didn't go into any detail tbh, just that Podge had died and would not wake up again. Seren semed to accept it and carried on as normal, no questions asked.

 

[SarahH]

when our doggy died I just said she had gone to sleep and play in the big park in heaven.

Hugs to you all, it is horrid when a pet dies

 

[Anna23]

when any of our animals die we be honest with the children i think the more honest you are about death the easier it is for them to accept sorry toast died tho

 

[mummykay]

aaarw r.i.p Toast

hope Thea was ok when u told her mel

 

[aramintalovegrove]

Aaaaah Im tort mad, my baby has just come out if the fridge after a 13 wk hibernation and I missed her so so much, cant imagine how sad it was for you

Hope thea takes it as well as possible