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A Beta's Tale: Life at the Schmidt House for an aquatic vertebrate

In a moment of weakness last weekend I told the kids they could each get a fish. I did this because both children had plastic cups filled with tadpoles wanting to take them on a two hour journey home. So, what do I do? I say: "We can get fish when we get home."

Monday bright and early we traveled to PetSmart to purchase a green fish for JG and a pink fish for AE. We soon determined we didn't want goldfish, but two beta fish. Less work, less food, plus they come in these cool little tank things. We drove home anticipating a long, fulfilling life for Trixie (AE's fish) and Sponge Bob Super Rock Star (JG's fish) because beta fish are "supposed to be easy" according to our friendly sales guy.

It is Thursday and the one positive thing I can say about Sponge Bob Super Rock Star is that he lasted about 23 hours longer than AE's first fish Josie.

JG evidently tried to see if his fish formerly known as Sponge Bob Super Rock Star could do any cool tricks. What tricks you may ask? The world may never know because the littlest member of our family is not talking and the other witness has been flushed away.

You know I do sympathize with little man, I too was an accomplice to a goldfish's demise when I was around his age. My friend Viki and I thought it would be a good idea for our Barbies to have a fish accompany them to the beach and thought her brother's goldfish should wear some of Malibu Skipper's clothes. Let's just say it didn't end well, Viki's mom busted us when we were trying to revive the fish after his outing. We also couldn't explain why there was a pair of sunglasses and swimsuit floating in the deceased fish's bowl.

We have taken the appropriate precautions with AE's fish. Trixie is in protective custody (aka AE's closet) until the fascination of fish tricks has subsided.

Comments

Karen said…
Oh, JG. My heart goes out to the little guy. I have to admit that I didn't see that particular end for Sponge Bob. I figured it would be more along the lines of dueling Betas eating each other. We lost Birthday Cake that way when the Monkey was three...
bobbione8y said…
sad.

you know, it's always sad to lose a pet, no matter how long ya have em. i think that my little santino kind of still misses andrae, although someday soon he might join him, cause Siesta tries to catch and eat him on an almost daily basis.

might want to try one more time?

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