Complex sentence: Blythe's mother was Lauren Smith (nicknamed "Betty" for unknown reasons) prior to adopting the surname Baxter upon marrying Roger, and Lauren's former pet tortoise Speedy Shellberg claims that Betty also had the ability to talk to animals.
Split into simpler sentences: Blythe's mother was Lauren Smith (nicknamed "Betty" for unknown reasons) prior to adopting the surname Baxter upon marrying Roger. Her former pet tortoise Speedy Shellberg claims that Betty also had the ability to talk to animals.