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Preston and Roma at 6 months |

It all started 5 years later, late one night right before we had to leave for a wedding in Italy. We found Preston in a tank full of pink water, on his basking rock with his little buddy stuck in the out position. Why is it stuck out there in the open? Well, because Roma said "NO" and Preston decided not to listen and wound up with a nice set of beak marks on his tender bits. This was one of those "only in our household" kinda things.
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Preston post Penis loss, 2007 |
When we got to Rome we arrived to the the unfortunate news that Preston had to have his penis amputated and was now pouting and refused to eat or bask. He was not a happy boy.
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Preston & Roma sharing a nice moment in the field pre penis biting debacle |
So many follow up visits. So many embarrassing turn your cheeks bright pink moments. If you've ever been to a vet school you know you end up waiting for a while in a huge waiting room with a ton of other people. I'd be sitting there with my turtle in his carrier and everyone would keep sneaking glances at us. Well, yeah, we're usually the only non dog/kitty in the area. Finally some brave pet parent, and usually a guy, would go....
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Roma the penis biter |
<cue me turning pink>
"Well, his penis was bleeding."
<aaannnnnd cue cricket chirping silence, male flinching and pets pulled closer to their parents>
Yeah. I was LOVING being a turtle mom at that moment ;)
For years after the great penis amputations whenever we'd go to the vet school they'd hear our name, there would be a little pause and then "Oh! You're Preston's mom!" Yeah, we were quite the talk around town. Everyone came to see Preston during his time there and they deemed my little girl Roma "Bobbit"
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Roma's pond, 2011 |
So that's my most embarrassing Pet Mom story and how Preston lost his penis. Only in my herd.
Now, let me hear all your embarrassing pet moments! What have your herds done to turn your cheeks red?