Braden Holtby signed a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks worth $4.3 million per year on the first day of free agency in October, officially ending his long tenure in DC. Since then, the Holtbys have acclimated themselves to their new Canadian city, but two of their family members had to tragically stay back in DC.
Honey and Maple Holtby, the family’s two tortoises, have been unable to cross the border, along with dad, due to some red tape at the US Fish and Wildlife Services. Brandi asked for help on her Twitter account on Wednesday so they can swiftly reunite the family.
“We miss our boys!” Brandi wrote.
Hey Twitter, does anyone have any sweet connections with Federal Fish and Wildlife that could push some export papers along in order to get two happy tortoises across the border? 🇨🇦🐢🐢🇺🇸 We miss our boys!
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 18, 2020
The family didn’t know that they needed an “export permit.”
No, we didn’t know we needed an export permit (we did do the import permit for the Canadian side) so now Braden is stuck at the border with two tortoises 🙈
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 18, 2020
This pretty much sums up the situation.
You are correct. 😂
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 18, 2020
The two tortoises are cute and both love hockey and lettuce. Also, they’re the pseudo spawn of the greatest goaltender in Capitals history.
I don’t know why anyone would possibly want to see tortoise content… 🙄 it’s not like there’s anything cute about Honey eating lunch… it definitely doesn’t sound adorable. 😛 pic.twitter.com/17VgFlNuQR
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) July 10, 2020
We haven’t quite hit our goal of 25k meals for @foodbankmetrodc. BUT, I wanted to official introduce all of you to Maple Holtby, or as we like to call him, Mr. Mape. 🐢💚 pic.twitter.com/3X2wt5biKt
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) March 30, 2020
Big brother, Honey, is taking over the family business. 🥅 pic.twitter.com/T3AVs0EbJ7
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) March 30, 2020
We know we have a lot of readers who work for the government, so are there any of you out there that can help?
somebody help holtby pic.twitter.com/NDUNbFeF4B
— jan~ he/they (@lesbijans) November 18, 2020
11/19 update: The Holtbys have gotten in touch with the Fish and Wildlife Service and “are working towards a solution to get Braden and the boys home!”
🐢🐢 UPDATE: Thank you to all of the kind souls out there who have made an effort to help! FWS is aware of our situation and they are working towards a solution to get Braden and the boys home!🇨🇦
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 19, 2020
I will let you know when they are safely in Canada sipping a Double-Double and sharing Timbits. 😂
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 19, 2020
11/20 update: Braden Holtby crossed the border today with his two tortoises!
