By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team
When Rita and Ross Davis first met Bump, Bump was sick, blowing bubbles out of his nose and lying all by himself in a cold and wet backyard. He was an African spurred tortoise in need of rescue.
Bump only weighed 3.5 pounds and was still a baby.
Rita had to spoon feed Bump medicine mixed with small tortoise food (small kibbles) for two weeks.
That was nine years ago and he has been healthy ever since, weighing in now at 60 pounds.
Bump lives in the Davis house and has his own bedroom, although he loves to sleep under Ross’ lazy boy chair and next to Rita’s night stand.
Because Bump does not drink water, once a week he is treated to a spa day and is soaked in the bath tub. This helps him absorb water. He will splash water onto his back by flipping his front legs toward his back.
Bump’s favorite foods are lettuce, green beans, raspberries, apples and watermelon, as well as his tortoise kibble.
Rita started walking him when he was very young. Then, if he ever got out of the backyard, the neighbors would know where he belonged.
Their walks take about two hours, but Bump can often walk about a mile in that time if it is warm enough.
On walks they have to watch their time because, after two hours, Bump will get as stubborn as a toddler. They will try to go one way – toward home – but he wants to go the other way. The Davises always have a wagon – custom built by Ross and adorned with Bump’s name – with them. If Bump gets tired or stubborn, he can take a Tortoise Time Out in the wagon and they head home.
Bump loves the attention he gets from everyone. Although he will not stop and pose for pictures, he is really good when people want to touch him.
Dogs seem to like him as well, although they are not certain what he is. The dogs and kids will circle around him, but he keeps moving. One dog even brought him a stick to play with, but Bump just kept moving.
A few years ago, the Naked Bike Ride started at Fernhill Park and Bump was in attendance.
When the parade started to move out of the park, Bump was determined to go with the bicyclists. He made it as far as he corner of 42nd & Killingsworth and just crashed.
He crawled to a bush and passed out. Luckily, the Davises had the wagon.
Editor’s note: Tamara has more to share about Bump than space allows. For the rest of the story, visit ConcordiaPDX.org/2019-Bump.
Tamara Anne Fowler is Edit Kitten, a writer with 20-plus years of experience offering a softer, gentler approach to editing and coaching. Her personal editors — Armani, Max Factor and Spicey’D — are also her cats. Visit her at EditKitten.com or contact her at Tamara@EditKitten.com