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| Parents of Teens |
| Public online group |
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My son wants a turtle. It would be a desert tourtise-not sure if I spelled it correctly.
This turtle lives to be 14 years old, at 110 pounds. Right now the turtle is the size of 1/2 of your palm. It will stay that way fo the first 3 years. Then it will really start to grow. It lives on grass and romaine lettuce. It drinks every two days. The cost is: $129.00-turtle alone. The food, i gather is relatively little considering it only eats grass & lettuce.
Here is my dilemna: My son is 15 1/2 years old. He really, really, I mean really wants this turtle. I am reluctant, for I feel it will be another chore for me to do. And to be honest, I really enjoy my time off in the mornings before I go to work.
I keep asking him, what will you do with the turtle once your 18/19years old? who will watch it. HE replies by saying-to give it to his sister-who at that time will be 8 or 9 years old.
What would you do? would you buy this turtle and reasons why? |
| Posted by esther on 04/16/2008 03:32 PM
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I am not sure about the long term commitment for a teen. I do not doubt his responsibility, but 14 years is a long time for a pet. Also the size that the turtle will become, where would it stay? Are there any other species of turtles that are not as large with a shorter life span?
Also I hope no one thinks I am a bad person for not wanting a pet that lives so long. I have two cats and their life span is about 20 years. I am just thinking long term here.
Off topic here, but THANKS for doing the TOW.
:-)
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| posted by sillymom on 04/16/2008 03:44 PM
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| If I were not willing to take care of a pet after my son leaves home, I would not let him get it. I keep telling Daniel that he can get a German Shepherd and a monkey (if it's legal where he lives) when he moves out and gets his own place. It won't be that long now that he'll be able to do it. |
| posted by Kelly on 04/16/2008 07:54 PM
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If my child wanted a turtle, I would not buy it. She is not going to keep it that long. She will not appreciate it. She would have to earn/spend her own money to buy herself a turtle.
The first time that turtle was not cared for I would turn it over to animal control. I have enough on my plate as it is. I don't need this hassle. |
| posted by Gail on 04/27/2008 10:30 PM
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Speaking from a person that is going through this, I would not buy that turtle, maybe one that doesn't get so big.
I got a dog for my son 5 years ago after my mother passed away to help him with his grief. Not thinking, wait........he will go to college someday then what? Don't get me wrong I love this dog, but I am not the type of person to play with or sit and hold an animal. Now he will be going to college in a year. This dog is so attached to him that when he goes to school she is so lost all day. Even when he takes out the trash she is right there by the door waiting. I worry about her health and well being when he goes off to school. She won't eat or do anything during the day until he gets home.
I know turtles are not dogs, but the care that I will have to take on after he leaves will be more then what I want to take on. |
| posted by Lisa on 05/01/2008 11:13 AM
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