Monday's Monumental Anniversary

Finally our fine weather arrived and it was warm enough for Tessie to go outside. At the start of each summer she is given the option to drink a little, by being placed in a tray of water. Mesi made sure it was the correct temperature.

Mirsku did the taste test.

This year Tessie did not drink but it 'wetted her whistle' as the ol' Londoners would say, and she was soon eating her favourite food - voikukkaa.

Today is actually Tessie's 50th gotcha day. Yes, it's her half century in the Parker family. Äiti' family had many tortoises as she grew up, as they were imported easily in those days. Luckily the trade has stopped now since the majority of tortoises died. Äiti's mother loved them and did her very best to care for them, but sadly all went to the Bridge except Tessie.  When Äiti's mother died, Tessie was lonely, and when her father died she went to live with Äiti and the Britcats. She does love being with us felines and she has adapted well to life in Finland (N).

Tessie is an old lady now - for her species (Horsfield's tortoise) the life expectancy can be more than 60 years; we think maybe she was 2 years or so when she was stolen from the Russian steppes which were natural habitat.
So Tessie we give you many congratulations for this incredible achievement, and even though I sat on your shell when I was pikku pentu, I do show you a little more respect now.