This Woman Got A Pet Tortoise For Her 10th Birthday And They've Been Together For Over 56 Years

May 26, 2019 by apost team

A birthday gift in 1962, this tortoise is still part of the Smith family 57 years later

Jeanna Smith received her tortoise, George, as a gift for her 10th birthday back in 1962. The pair became instant friends for life; and today, 57 years later, he is still a thriving part of the Smith family. “George is probably my oldest friend,” she explained.

Over the years, he has remained with her through everything; they were basically a package deal. Despite being a warm climate animal, the gopher tortoise has made a happy home in chilly St. Paul, Minnesota. He used to spend days riding in Jeanna’s bike basket when she was a little girl; and when she went away to college, he accompanied her and took residence alongside her in her dorm room.

She recalled one particular Halloween years ago when she and George dressed up in matching bee costumes.

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He went along on family vacations everywhere they went and she explained that he enjoyed walking down the beach at Lake Michigan. Every Christmas he gets to feast on fresh strawberries and kiwi for breakfast; and during the summer, he spends the warm days enjoying the sun in their backyard.

Friends since the Kennedy administration, the duo has spent more than half a century together. George has outlived a total of five dogs, despite running away and getting lost in 1988. At age 26, he had family, friends, and neighbors searching for him for hours until he was found in the yard hiding among bushes and tall flowers, while the cameras were rolling.

Tortoises raised and cared for in captivity can live approximately 100 years, and George still has quite a ways to go, so he has been written into Jeanna’s will. She stated that when she passes on, he will move in with her daughter and her three children.

George has definitely succeeded in becoming an important and cherished member of the family. Currently, gopher tortoises are a protected species and unfortunately are unavailable for purchase as pets; however, there still are many other types of tortoises and turtles from which to choose.

If this touching tale of long-lasting friendship has warmed your heart, feel free to let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to pass this along to all the animal lovers you know to brighten their days!