Schilpaddie

To Amira Willighagen fans, Schilpaddie is a familiar face. To others he requires a little explaining.

Amira famously loves animals. She currently advocates for orphaned rhinos in Africa. But she has long said her favorite animal is the tortoise, and that she feels special affinity with reptiles. 

To call this unusual for a little girl singer is an understatement. Her stuffed turtle that she carried around with her literally for years, including to giant concerts across the globe, was named Schilpaddie. Schildpad is simply Dutch for tortoiseshell. 

Here is a picture tribute to Schilpaddie. I have also included at the end two relevant videos, one of her singing to her pet turtles that is very moving and beautiful, and one where she explains to her fans where her stuffed friend retired to when she grew up. 

In the Vatican

In Switzerland

In Vegas introducing Schilpaddie to Elvis