Frankie Tortoise Tales Frankie Tortoise Tails sulcata care tortoise sulcata husbandry Frankie Tortoise Tails Frankie Tortoise Tails: Going Home, June 29, 2019

Frankie

Frankie

April 30, 2005

Going Home, June 29, 2019

Frankie died June 29, 2019 from Pneumonia or Lower Respiratory Infection.  We fought for 80 days, did all we possibility could, took him to the best veterinarians, tried various drugs, gladly spent the money and much more to help him recover.

We'll miss his antics and his determined personality so much.

Thank you all his friends who delighted in his stories.


Hello, Frankie, how are you?
I am great!  This place…this place is fantastic!  Where is this?
This is where you’re meant to be.  We’ve been waiting for you.
Am I dead?
Your body was no longer needed.  Your spirit is forever free
Can I still have carrots and dandelions?
Of course! 
And Mom, is she here?
Someday, just not today.  We’ll wait for her, too.
Why am I here instead of home?
You finished your work.  You are special. You chose to help a human soul.  The human path is never easy.  Your human needed your help.
But now she is alone.
She is never alone. 
Can I still help? 
You can help.  Visit her dreams.  Whisper she is not alone. Be her comfort. 
I will.  Every night!  Thank you for waiting for me. Thank you for waiting for her.
We’re glad you’re here. Now, if you haven’t noticed, there are dandelions to eat, lawn chairs to push and fences to topple.  Go get ‘em, Frankie!
They will never know what hit them…..




50 comments:

  1. Oh, I am so sorry! I have loved reading about Frankie and I will miss him too!

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  2. I’m sorry to hear Frankie has left you, Leann. Thank you for sharing his wonderful personality over the years!

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  3. Deep condolences to you and your family. I loved reading about Frankie's adventures from Parade marching, to Halloween costume winner to back yard rearranger. Your answers to my questions when we first got Elliot were do helpful. Hugs to you.

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  4. I am sitting here crying, I can't believe Frankie is gone. My sincere condolences, this must be so hard for you. I can't even imagine your pain right now. RIP Frankie, I was lucky to meet you once and feed you a carrot. I hope you get many carrots in heaven.

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  5. Oh my god, my heart sank when i read this followed him for so long hard to take in. Please be ok frankies mom

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  6. My heart breaks for you. The same thing took the life of my beloved Scheherazade (the tortoise I wrote about in response to a Frankie antic. She's the one who rammed my Fiesta rose anniversary cup) shortly before her 13th birthday. I commend you on the beautiful tribute you wrote of Frankie's homecoming, and your devotion to him as his human mom.

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  7. sorry to hear of your loss.

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  8. Leann and Greg, My heart is broken for you. He will be missed by so many. I believe he was the most well know and loved tortoise in the US. I hope your hearts can heal with the memories you have of him. With Love and Hugs Kim & John Gibson

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  9. Frankie I am so sad that you have left us, but I hope you are now living happily and have lots of carrots on the other side of the rainbow bridge! We will miss you Frankie!

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  10. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    It's always been such a pleasure to read about Frankie and his antics. I'm so sorry for your loss. We'll miss him too. Pastel Tortie via Tortoise Forum

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  11. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    So sorry for your loss. I’m new and have missed your previous posts but this one was lovely. Frankie looked like a beautiful tortoise. It sounds like he was certainly loved. JLMDVM via Tortoise Forum

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  12. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    OMG, I am so very sorry. I am going to miss Frankie and his funny tales of life. So devastating, so very sad. Wellington via Tortoise Forum

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  13. So sorry for your loss. Frankie looked awesome. I'm sure you have many memories to keep his spirit alive! Cindy63 via Tortoise Forum

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  14. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    So sorry for your loss, we loved reading about Frankie’s antics he will be sorely missed. Peggy Sue via Tortoise Forum

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  15. So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute. ToddRickfl1 via Tortoise Forum

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  16. I'm so sorry for your loss. I loved reading the stories of Frankie's antics. He will truly be missed. Vladimir via Tortoise Forum

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  17. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    My heart hurts for you. Prayers and condolences! EllieMay via Tortoise Forum

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  18. Frankie has a great spirit! Glad to hear he has lawn furniture to push around. Thank you. Kenno via Tortoise Forum

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  19. So sorry to hear about Frankie, but thank you for all you've done to make a difference in the life of your pet... RIP Frankie Grymre via Tortoise Forum

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  20. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    So sorry to read this sad last Chapter of Frankies Tortoise Tails. RIP Frankie. Maro2Bear via Tortoise Forum

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  21. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    Oh so sorry to read this. Big Electronic hug. CarolM via Tortoise Forum

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  22. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    I am so sorry for your loss. CarolS via Tortoise Forum

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  23. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    So sorry for your loss. My heart hurts for you.
    MPappagallo via Tortoise Forum

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  24. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    So sorry to hear that Frankie passed. He was loved by so many. Prayers for your family and for Frankie.
    Judith via Turtle Rescue Long Island Group

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  25. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    I am SO sorry that Frankie was called home so soon. I think we'll all remember all the stories you've posted over the years, with fond memories.
    Sorry for your loss, Leann
    Beth via Turtle Rescue Long Island Group

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  26. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    Leann I am so very sorry to hear this. Frankie was special and he will be missed. My thoughts are with you. I know you will never forget your friend and neither will I.
    Vicki Hale
    Tortoise Yard

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  27. This beautiful post made me cry. I am so very sorry about Frankie. He was much loved by many people. Gone, but not forgotten……and, thanks to you, Leann, he never will be. Thinking of you, Doug
    via Tortoise Rescue of Long Island

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  28. I am so sad to read this Leann, and so sorry for the heartache you are feeling for the loss of Frankie. You sure gave it your all but sometimes there's just not enough we can do. Envisioning him in a better place and holding his memories in your heart are the best things for healing. RIP Frankie.
    Julie Maguire Turtle Rescue of Long Island

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  29. Dear Leann, Your post brought tears and a great sympathy for your loss. Frankie (and you) have given us all so much pleasure. Frankie will be missed deeply, but his legacy has been such a joy and fun. We learned
    a lot about Sulcata Torts. Knowing we will see our beloved pets again is such a comfort. Over the years I have
    lost some of my best friends and some losses hurt more than others, but I will see them again and that helps.
    Ginny, Skippy , the cats, chickens and the pets I have lost over the years. via Turtle Rescue Long Island Group

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  30. My heartfelt condolences, Leann. Frankie had a great personality and I loved reading your stories about him. You fought hard to help him recover; he couldn't have had a better human mom.
    All best wishes,
    Jane
    Via Turtle Rescue Long Island

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  31. So sorry to hear that Frankie passed. He was loved by so many. Prayers for your family and for Frankie.
    Judith via Turtle Rescue of Long Island

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  32. AnonymousJuly 26, 2019

    We are so sorry to just be learning about Frankie. We always looked forward to seeing him each year at the Autism Walks. All of the Autism Society of Alabama sends our deepest sympathies. He will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
    Angel Miller Loewen

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    1. Frankie missed the 2019 Autism Walk as it was three days after he first got sick. We were so sad to miss the Walk. He had never missed a walk in over 10 years.

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  33. I am so sorry to hear this. Frankie had the best life and the best mom ever.
    Jody Arbuckle Ulich

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  34. I used to watch you take a nap next to Frankie. Very peaceful. Feel comforted
    Kelly Arbuckle

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  35. I am so very sorry. You were the best mom ever for this precious baby.
    Denise Eggers

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  36. I am so sorry, hopefully he can keep my little sulcata company up there. He was taken earlier this year. We miss him every day 💕 Rest in Peace Frankie
    Crysal Carr

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  37. I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Frankie, he was such a cool Tortoise
    Cynthia Greear

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  38. I'm so sorry again LeAnn I know how much you loved him . Have faith you will be with him again one day
    Vicki Holtz Stambuk

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  39. Thank you Frankie for teaching people all about owning large tortoises. You were lucky to have a wonderful family that could take care of you, and I have learned so much from you and your mom. I can't wait to see you one day, and I'm assuming you're bossing Vern around already:) see you guys one day!
    Soon he will be knocking over Angels because there are no more chairs to knock over!
    Salli Dahlquist

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  40. Such beautiful words. My heart goes out to you.
    Fay Adams-Derry

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  41. I am sorry for your loss 💔
    RIP Frankie 😢
    I will miss you dearly.
    Prayers and love to you Leann
    Noel Crowl

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  42. This brought tears to my eyes. Frankie is forever wonderful and will always be remembered with warm joy. RIP, Frankie.
    Kessia Rodrigues

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  43. Beautiful words! Rest in peace Frankie, and may you have lot of fun on the other side of the rainbow.
    Manu Jaus

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  44. Leann and Greg Christenson I am so sorry for your loss. I know how loved and cared for Frankie was to you both. What a great life y'all shared.
    LaNeisah Anderson

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  45. Oh no that's awful! I lost my Rupert last April and its still so hard. He was 17 and pneumonia was his downfall too. I'm so so sorry.
    Shannon Penny Armstrong

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  46. Rick & I were very sorry to hear of your loss. Our hearts go out to you with deepest sympathy. Your neighbors, the Hodges.

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  47. I'm so sorry to hear of Frankie's passing. The stories of his antics never failed to make me laugh. Thank you for sharing his life with us. He will be missed. Inkling139 via Tumbler

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  48. I am so so sorry to read this. Frankie was loved far and wide and made me laugh out loud so much in recognition (my sulcata Henry has a lot of Frankie in him) and appreciation of these amazing creatures. Thank you for sharing Frankie with the world. He will be with you forever. xo

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  49. I am so sorry to see this! I hadn't noticed any updates in a while, so I thought I'd check in - I never expected this. I loved his stories and your relationship with him. My deepest condolences.

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