A special thanks to Wen, who mentioned about Salmonella in tortoises. I have done some research to check out the details and found that reptiles are most likely to harbor Salmonella, a bacteria found in feces of animals which causes fever, diarrhoe and abdominal cramps.
Those who come into contact with reptiles should wash their hands immediately to prevent catching the germ. It is advised that children do not keep reptiles, including tortoises and turtles, as pets.
After reading this, I talked to a pediatrician and he told me that this bacteria is more likely to enter to a person's body through contaminated food rather than through contacts with the reptiles.
Being a mother, I am always worried about the safety of my children and I think most mothers will too. So, after discussing with my husband, we decided to let our tortoise go. The difficult part is to tell the children about this.
So, last night, I told them about the disease from head to tail and told them that we would bring the tortoise to a nearby pond and let it live there. I told them that the tortoise would be happier living in the pond compared to living here in a container because the container is like a cage or a prison where it can't swim freely. I asked them whether they like to be caged up or locked up and they said NO. SO, I said that the tortoise would not like it too. Luckily, they accepted it instantly and kept asking me when to let the tortoise go.
Off we went to the pond today, carrying the tortoise and seeing him swim happily in the pond. I am happy too as I see my children's loving kindness shining today.
"Bye bye tortoise. We will come back to see you again."
