He's just a fish....
Who says fish are disposable pets?
9 years after bringing home Snack, Lunch, and Appetizer (the cats named them), one of the three bretheren has finally succumbed to old age. Not bad value for $1.78 each- amortized over the 9 years that's.....(damm, no more accounting class for me!)
Snack, the smallest of the 3 black tetras- although still well over the size of a toonie at the end of his epic lifespan, was found floundering sideways at the bottom of the tank the other night. The end was apparent....but I couldn't bring myself to condemn a live fish to the depths of the city sewer system, nor could I tear myself away from the tank- part of me wanted to console him, comfort him (HE'S A FISH FER CRYIN' OUT LOUD!) while he took his last breaths through laboured gills.
I guess I looked pathetic, so my "stronger half" scooped his flopping form out of the tank and off to the bathroom he went, I trailing behind like a 4 year old to stand at the bathroom door and watch the horror of Snack making his grand exit down the porcelain portal.
It wasn't until we were back in the harsh flourescent light of the kitchen that I was rewarded with a patronizing "Awww....." and a hug for the tears glistening on my cheeks. (HE'S A FISH FER CRYIN' OUT LOUD!) Not so much for poor Snack himself, but for the 9 years that they had always been three tender morsels for three kitties.....and the great memories of our first year in the old apartment where we all came together to form this great menagarie of a family.
Yes he's just a fish, fer cryin' out loud........but he was a good fish. And he never fulfilled his namesake, much to the chagrin of three patient kitties.
9 years after bringing home Snack, Lunch, and Appetizer (the cats named them), one of the three bretheren has finally succumbed to old age. Not bad value for $1.78 each- amortized over the 9 years that's.....(damm, no more accounting class for me!)
Snack, the smallest of the 3 black tetras- although still well over the size of a toonie at the end of his epic lifespan, was found floundering sideways at the bottom of the tank the other night. The end was apparent....but I couldn't bring myself to condemn a live fish to the depths of the city sewer system, nor could I tear myself away from the tank- part of me wanted to console him, comfort him (HE'S A FISH FER CRYIN' OUT LOUD!) while he took his last breaths through laboured gills.
I guess I looked pathetic, so my "stronger half" scooped his flopping form out of the tank and off to the bathroom he went, I trailing behind like a 4 year old to stand at the bathroom door and watch the horror of Snack making his grand exit down the porcelain portal.
It wasn't until we were back in the harsh flourescent light of the kitchen that I was rewarded with a patronizing "Awww....." and a hug for the tears glistening on my cheeks. (HE'S A FISH FER CRYIN' OUT LOUD!) Not so much for poor Snack himself, but for the 9 years that they had always been three tender morsels for three kitties.....and the great memories of our first year in the old apartment where we all came together to form this great menagarie of a family.
Yes he's just a fish, fer cryin' out loud........but he was a good fish. And he never fulfilled his namesake, much to the chagrin of three patient kitties.
posted by sandboxtoy at 9:37 PM
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