The Friday Archives

I bought dear old Rex in 1999 when I lived in Adelaide. I had just ducked out from the ANAT office to go the bank and cash a cheque for the petty cash float. Somehow I wound up spying a tank of tiny turtles in a pet shop and proceeded to SPEND the PETTY CASH MONEY on tiny Rex and a tank for him to live in. I know!

When we moved back to Sydney I got a special license to import him into NSW and had to apply for a reptile keepers permit. We made the long journey by car. During our overnight stay in Mildura Rex and I stayed in a warm motel room while Richard and the dogs slept in the car!

I had Rex for almost five years and in that time he outgrew six tanks. His last tank was six feet long and two feet wide and was equipped with UV lights, heaters, two filters, plants, rocks and a choice of basking platforms. I even made him a fenced outdoor pond complete with fountain but he never seemed to enjoy it much - he kept trying to escape and once even climbed about a foot up the wire fence. He liked his big tank in the kitchen though.

See that look on my face? I'd probably just finished cleaning the tank for the third time that week! It was really hard work keeping that tank clean and I always felt worried about Rex being kept indoors and on his own. So, when I was pregnant with Ella I made an arrangement to 'donate' Rex to the reptile park up in Gosford. This photo was taken on the morning of our last day together, just before I popped him in a plastic crate and drove him up the coast to his new home.

That day was November 13, 2002. It was a really sad day and still when I think of it I have to hold back tears.  I watched on as Rex was released into an outdoor enclosure with about 20 other turtles. Poor thing hadn't seen another turtle since he was a hatchling. He freaked out and hid under the water for ages. I stood for about an hour and watched him - he was easy to spot as he was so pale and clean compared to the other turtles. He had led a very cushy life after all.

The following year, on the anniversary of his departure, I returned to the park with a nine month old Ella and spent ages trying to find him. I'm not sure that I did. Maybe he had died, Maybe he had been moved to another enclosure, maybe I couldn't see him cause he had become all dark and weathered like the other turtles? I don't know.

Truth is I feel really sad about the decision to give him up. And guilty too. If I could have my time over I would have kept him. He'd have a lovely outdoor pond out in the backyard. My kids and I would spend hours watching him swim and waiting for him to come up for air. We'd watch him basking in the sun on hot days and burying himself under leaves on cold ones. I'd clean out the pond lovingly, enjoying the chance to get my hands wet. I think he'd even have a nice lady friend and I've even named her. Regina. Regina would have been her name.

Rex + Reg 4eva!

Comments

[Cato]

Beautiful story. I feel your loss. One should not underestimate how attached we can get to our aquatic friends - even though it is a relationship devoid of cuddles!

I almost gave away my fish during a particularly stressful time and the domestic duties seemed insurmountable (and a house full of cats and dogs). But something held me back and reading your post I now know what it was.

By all means miss Rex, you had a lovely time together - but don't feel guilty. You did your best given the available information. He still loves you, but now he is on his own journey of self discovery (wherever he is). And you can't begrudge him that!

PS. Love the comic!

[amber]

Thanks Cato :)