23 May 2015 Clay and Lola still going strong
Story and photos
by Callie Sterling
Fifteen-year-old Clay Freyaldenhoven of Conway enjoys spending time with his unique pet, a red-footed tortoise named Lola.
“I have had Lola for eight years, and she is such a cool pet,” Clay said. “I have had her since 2007, and she is 8-years-old now.”
The care that is involved for a turtle is basic and similar to other pets’ care, such hamsters or gerbils.
“I feed her, give her water and clean her cage,” Clay said. “We have a heat lamp in her cage, but it doesn’t have to stay on all the time.”
In the warm summer months, Lola lives primarily in the backyard. In the colder months, she lives inside the home.
“When it reaches above 70 degrees at night we leave her in our fenced-in backyard,” Clay’s stepmom, Beth Freyaldenhoven, said. “She is tropical, so we can’t leave her out if it reaches below 70 at night.”
Lola eats fruits and vegetables when she lives indoors. While living outdoors, she eats grass during the hot summer months.
“She loves strawberries, grapes, squash and zucchini,” Clay said. “In the summer months, she eats the tall grass when we let her stay outside.”
Lola is not afraid of people or other Freyaldenhoven pets.
“We have two dogs and she is not afraid of them at all. She honestly just ignores them,” Beth said. “She will walk up to anyone and isn’t afraid of people at all.”
Lola is part of the family and has a unique personality.
“She is very quirky,” Clay said. “When she wants out of her cage, she will walk up to the glass and just run into it. She also goes and hides under my bed or in dark places in my closet under clothes. She is silly.”
Lola enjoys sitting in warm water and loves massages.
“We fill up the sink with warm water, and she loves to sit and relax in the water,” Beth said. “She also loves being rubbed on the under side of her neck.”
Clay’s siblings have grown to love Lola and have accepted her into the family as a family pet.
“She is cool and just part of our family now,” older sister Bailey Freyaldenhoven said.
“They usually live about 50 years,” Beth said. “Lola will go with Clay to college. She is a cool party trick. People love her and she is always a good conversation piece.”
A $200 investment will provide the Freyaldenhoven family with half of a lifetime of happiness and entertainment.
“My husband initially thought she was only $20 but turns out when I went to pick her up and pay for her, she was actually $200,” Beth said. “She was worth it though.”
Helpful summer tips for pets
When traveling the 501 and beyond with your pet or just trying to stay cool, Hartman Animal Hospital offers some helpful tips:
BEATING THE HEAT
On days when the heat index reaches the upper 90s to 100 degrees, keep your pet inside, with only bathroom breaks to go outside.
Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems and overheating.
Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Heat exhaustion can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked car can quickly become a furnace.
The right time for playtime is in the cool of the morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.
Do not apply sunscreen or insect repellent to your pet unless it is labeled specifically for use on animals.
TRAVELING
Ensure your pet ALWAYS wears a collar with complete identification and a license tag. Microchipping is also a way to ensure you can retrieve your animal should it be lost.
Be sure to pack your pet’s favorite food, toys and dishes, a cooler of water, a litter box and a leash.
Have your pet examined and vaccinated, if necessary, by your veterinarian before a long trip.
If your pet must travel in a crate or carrier, be sure it is strong and large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in. It should have a place for food, water and a litter box. The container should be well ventilated with a leak proof bottom and it should close securely.
Contact the consulate or embassy of your destination or ask your travel agent for advice if you are planning a trip abroad with your pet, as health and vaccination regulations vary greatly.
For additional pet tips, visit hartmananimalhospital.com.
