Cuff and Link, the turtles from the first Rocky movie, have turned 44 under Sylvester Stallone’s care.

Once upon a time, they were just small tortoises living in a fishbowl in the movie Rocky. Now, they are full-grown and enjoying their days with one of the most famous movie stars in the world. Sylvester Stallone adopted the two movie star turtles after Rocky’s filming was over.

The amphibious pair had been his tortoises in the film, so this is one of those cases where on-screen life also had an opportunity to become true life.

In the film, for his two pet tortoises, Cuff and Link, Rocky Balboa would go to the J&M Tropical Fish pet shop to get food and other products. There Rocky started the budding romance with Adrian Pennino, who worked at the store.

The tortoises gave him an excuse to visit and ended up being a way of bonding between the two. Their love would eventually develop into something beautiful – all thanks to the two aquatic animals who helped open the door to the romance.

While Cuff and Link have enjoyed a luxury life with Sylvester Stallone, they are also still active in their own careers.

The two made a return to the big screen in the movie Creed II.

Stallone posted a selfie of himself with the turtles on Instagram to acknowledge their roles and long lives:

“In CREED 2 with my original buddies from the first Rocky … CUFF and LINK, now about 44 years old!”