I'm feeling kind of weird about the turtle post, thought about deleting it actually. I don't want to sound like the nature police, I just worry about exotic pets and people not really knowing what they are committing to (or not knowing where these pet stores get their animals). I've actually considered letting our turtles free. I know box turtles are native to Ohio, we feed our turtles things that come from our yard, it's a wild turtle's diet. I really think they would be happier, but is it really the right thing to do? Chances are they were originally captured from the wild........
There's my dilemma and I seriously hope I didn't offend anyone. I also hope I didn't offend any vegetarians out there with the worms and grubs for lunch.
-Lisa
20 comments:
I didn't even consider that someone might be upset by that post.
??
And, :), as far as people being upset that you fed them worms... uh... no.
I mean, really. Do they feed their cats and dogs only vegetables?
Because, you know, that wouldn't be very healthy for the dog.... it's not what they primarily eat.
Right?
As I recently said to K, "Circle of life and food chain, man
xx
Don't delete it! I can't imagine anyone would be offended in any way.
You are so sweet. Thank you for being concerned. I loved your turtle post (even the turtle lunch ;-) even though I can't say it appeals - even in my omnivore days ;-). Hugs to you sweet friend.
I don't feel like that would offend anyone! Stephanie is completely right!! That post was so cool! I loved it!
I think it is wonderful that you THINK about these things. When I was a kid my parents would stop the car, let me scoop up a stry turtle, drive him 20 miles, put him on a string tacked to his back with ticky-tack and walk him around until I got bored, then we would let him go. 20 miles from where he started. Not so nice when I think about it now...whatever you do with those guys, you are doing right by your kids in teaching them that every creature is important.
Ah, I would love to have a turtle, but I have always had that feeling too, that they just don't belong in our home! You're doing the best you can do, and they're so much better off with you than passed from class to class at the school - they're darn lucky turtles. So, I'm a wee bit jealous, cause if someone HAD to get rid of a turtle...I don't think I could say no! And I second the comment from before about vermicomposting - I have worms and they multiply like crazy. Your turtles would be very happy...(Have you read "lucille lost"? she is a tortoise - not sure what kind? - but your girls might like it!)
I went to read your turtle post, and couldn't even remotely find it offensive. In my country, it's illegal to sell land turtles, and they've become protected species for just the reasons you're concerned about. And I can't imagine vegetarians being offended either: animals in nature come as herbivores, carnivores or omnivores. Now, what omnivore humans eat is different issue ...
I wasn't offended in the least.
Bring on the worm and grub munchin' !!!
You never ever are offensive. You are a thoughtful and awesome person! Just looking at the comments you can tell people found it super interesting in a good way, and you learned some things, too. What else is there?! xopeggy
Don't delete it. You're right...and actually, getting any pet is a big commitment that a lot of people don't think about. I volunteer at the Humane Society, and its sad how many people abandon their animals.
As a vegetarian, I'm not offended by the worms, either. My cat does not eat a vegetarian diet, because it is not healthy for her.
Blessings~*~
I enjoyed the turtle post:)
Oh good grief, If someone was offended by that post it's there problem not yours. We loved that post! I showed it to my kiddos (who are mostly vegetarians) and we were fascinated.
I've been meaning to tell you that I really like your blog. It's one of the best kids in nature blogs I've come across. You make the outdoors seem so accessible (like as in your backyard) and real. More people need to hear that message and get their kids outside.
great blog, great post!
Honestly, I can't imagine you A.) offended anyone by disclosing their grub diet to us or B.) have unleashed a mob into the fields, searching for poor innocent box turtles whose lives they can ultimately destroy.
I do, however, understand your "guilt." I desperately wanted a hedgehog a few years ago--and I did all kinds of research, etc. about owning African Pygmy Hedgehogs. My husband built a beautiful 30" x 20" x 20" pen and we bought a baby hedgehog. She was precious! But, she should not have lived A.) in a pen and B.) living off commercially-made hedgehog chow. Eventually, Hawthorne Hedgehog got cancer and I had to have her put down. :o(
I still feel guilty for having ever owned her...hedgehogs are burrowing, herbivores...not pets.
However...I live in PA & I can say for a fact, we see so many box turtles who've been killed on our roads (in the summertime), I was pleased to see that you and your sweet girls are harboring two & keeping them safe!!!
I loved your post! And, I think it's great you are taking care of wild turtles, while staying true to their natural diet, habits, etc.!!!
Thank you all for your very sweet comments, I was having a weird moment when I wrote this post. You are all seriously the best!!!!
Be yourself - other people will be offended or not.
Just wanted to pop in throw that in, as well as to say your dandelion posts were fabulous. I shared them through feed reader. I missed my dandelions by a few days, when they all went to seed. :(
Oh, I never thought anyone could be offended in how you wrote that post. And, um, turtles eat grubs and worms...that is how it is! :)
I also feel that the wild is the best place for animals, but there are so many that have spent a life being cared for, that they just need people. How lucky those turtles live with you, where they get some fresh air, sunshine, fresh worms and yummy greens...and not something from a box at the store.
So, my two cents. Liked the post! :)
I'm not a vegetarian but I wouldn't understand getting upset over worms and grub. In nature animals eat other animals and we can't change that. Humans are different in that we have a choice. Glad to see your turtles are enjoying natural food!
As someone who is vegetarian, I can assure you there was no offense...about the turtles either. You are a sweetie for being concerned though! ;)
I just found this blog today and have been reading back as far as time would allow me too. Beautiful life. And then I read this blog and I am so impressed by your sensitivity to others and your willing to apologize just in case... So I will keep reading.
BTW, as a vegetarian, I was not offended either : )
Thank you all again. As a vegetarian myself, the worm and grub eating doesn't bother me cause that's the way it's gotta be. :)
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