Yesterday morning, Zoe’s Beta fish died. I’d known for several days that it was coming. The fish was all HUGE, like, it was not going to the fishy restroom like it was supposed to. Something was wrong with it. I warned Zoe that it just wasn’t looking so good, but she assured me that she had been feeding it daily — just the right amount of food — and she was changing it’s water every Saturday. And all of that was true. She took very good care of her fish. But it wasn’t in the cards for poor Annaliese (that was the Beta’s regal, girlie name… even though I think it was technically a boy). So when she woke up yesterday morning and saw Annaliese floating sideways and all discolored (I think there may have even been a tiny tongue hanging from it’s mouth), she started bawling. I assured her that it was nothing that she had done. She’d done well in her caring Beta stewardship. Fish just die. And the only thing that takes away the pain of losing a beloved pet is immediately replacing it with something cooler.
So last night we headed to PetSmart to get a new fish. A cooler fish. A brighter-colored fish. Oh, and it had to be a girl. So we found a pretty blue Beta marked “female” and picked it up. I got a new one for the bowl in my room (as my Beta, Spaz, has been gone for at least a good 8 months… it was time to move on) and Jachin got a new Beta for the bowl in his bedroom (since his last Beta, Cool Blue, had died of starvation and lack of attention nearly a year ago). The girl at the check out rang up our fish and then said to me, “Now, you know these all have to go in separate bowls, right?” And I said, “Oh, we like to put them all in one bowl and watch them fight it out to the death, betting on which one will be the last one swimming.” I didn’t really say that. But I totally wanted to. I then noticed that I didn’t have my wedding ring on, and when I go anywhere with my children without sporting a wedding ring and make-up, I’ve realized that people think I’m the kids’ stupid 14 year old sister. It’s irritating.
Here are the new fish, along with their new names:
Zoe’s new fish –a girl — to be named either Abby or Rozalina. Zoe can’t decide yet.
Jachin’s new fish (who will no doubt be subjected to the same neglect as the last fish) named Mario.
My new Beta (he looks totally mean, right?) named Rocky Razor.
Before we left the store, we meandered down the hamster/guinea pig/rat aisle. We found the freakin cutest dwarf hamsters you’ve ever seen. I really wanted to get one or two, but ultimately resisted. One of them was trying furiously to break out. The anxiety of living at the pet store was just more than his little two-inch body could bear. I so wanted to take him home. The kids did, too. I took a video documenting his cute neurotic nature.
You’ll hear Jachin listing his 10 reason’s to buy this sweet little hamster. I like number 7: his food tastes like cereal. Don’t ask me how my son knows that hamster food tastes like cereal. (And what kind of cereal do I make my kids eat?!) The people walking down the aisle next to us thought that was an interesting observation as well. Stupid 14 year old sister, making her little brother eat hamster food!!
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You so do not want to have a fish or a dwarf hamster for that matter. What you guys really need is a sweet little, will never die, guinea pig named squeaker. =)
Comment by Diana — May 15, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Oh Suz, you are so funny. Your fish are pretty, but ugh! Fish. Our fish tank is a death machine. It’s awful.
Comment by Leslie — May 17, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
I always figured Grape Nuts would taste like hamster food, so he’s probably right.
Comment by Tootsie Farklepants — May 18, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
Yes, you are right, I am agree with you. Your clippings are very nice and beautiful. Thank you for giving this information.
Comment by Betta Fish Care — May 19, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Betta Fish Care: thank you, kind sir.
Comment by admin — May 20, 2008 @ 6:13 am