Just as distracting as a flea to a cat, so a new object in a yard draws the attention of a sulcata tortoise: specifically, Frankie the tortoise.
Frankie has finely deemed the back yard worthy. With warm and sunny days now abundant, Frankie has taken to walking his yard, every inch, every day, for hours on end. Frankie is completely familiar with his yard’s unique terrain, tree placement, where various objects sit, best basking spots in the morning, best basking spot in the afternoon, and the idea place to sit and cool off.
No one can see me. I look like wood.
If something is out of place Frankie will attempt to rectify the situation. To me, it just looks like Frankie is dragging tables and pushing over chairs. He calls it Property Management.
In the morning Frankie does property inspection and if all is well he will do his marathon walk all the way around the yard, reverse all the way around the yard, up and down the slopes, side to side on the slopes, and (if I am lucky) an accidental slide down the slope. Such feats of fortitude deserve tribute and rewards: A carrot, one a day, if at all possible.
Frankie visits the patio door which goes inside the house (where his staff resides). Frankie announces his presence at the back door by walking half on and half off the threshold dragging his shell against the door just in-case I have not noticed his presence. He walks face right into the back door window peering inside to see if there is any chance of carrots.
I can has carrot?
All this is nice to see as I could tell during the last few months that Frankie wasn’t quite sure this was his home or just a temporary stop. There is no question now: the backyard operates under the Frankie Rules.
Greg and I are not quite finished getting Frankie’s yard ready. I am still planting grass. Greg put up his weather station and is working on a second Frankie cam installation. Leaves are raked weekly. Drainage has to be improved. Busy work for Greg and I, and Frankie ever underfoot.
After every rain I have to clear debris from the fence line at the bottom of the slope. If I am lucky I work on my own but most of the time Frankie supervises. Frankie supervises by trampling trash bags full of debris. I switched to the orange bucket that Greta & LD bought for Frankie which he has ignored….until I filled the orange bucket with tree debris.
Frankie now uses the debris-filled orange bucket as a battering ram target. I’m not using it any more nor have I emptied the bucket out as I am afraid Frankie may …read more
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