Farwell Raph!!

Raphael 198? - 2008

Today I found my pet turtle of almost 20 years had died. It is really a bittersweet moment really. Taking care of a turtle is a messy dirty job, but I can't think of any moment in my life with out him.

Of course, Raph is named after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Raphael. the name, course was an obvious choice because he was a red-ear slider and Raphael has a red mask. He came into my life when I was 8 years old and my TMNT obsession was in its infancy. We have had many ups and downs over the years

• sunken lego ships in his tank
• being used for show & tell lots of times (school & Home Teaching)
• annoying the Life Science teacher all day long because you were so noisy because you didn't have enough water in the tank
  
• escaping and getting stuck behind the tank for an undetermined amount of time (right in all the wires)
  
• basking in the sun and getting lost in the back yard
• getting a little love sick with a big rock in your tank (and everyone wonders why his tank was empty)
• swimming in the full size pool in the backyard when it was too dirty for the kids
• biting and scratching me lots of times
• splashing us with dirty gross turtle water when we would feed you
• swimming/living in the tank when it had an electric current in it (one of the heaters - and no this is NOT what lead to his death - I on the other hand got a nice little jolt)
  
• entertaining my kids and neighbors

Lainey of course is trying to talk me into getting another one. Although, I very much LOVE turtles that is NOT going to happen. It was pretty cute as she tried though.

Funeral Services

Funeral services will be held grave side Saturday December 12, 2008. Raphael will be interned on the side of our house.

In lue of gifts or flowers the family has asked that you never purchase a red-ear slider turtle for a pet unless you can fully commit the needed time and money to give them a proper home. If you can then great, do it an enjoy every minute of it. :-)