New Additions to Our Family
So, out of nowhere about a month ago, I decided I wanted to get a new pet.
I’ve no idea where this impulse came from. It just did. Considering that we can’t have any more fuzzy pets in the rental place where we live, it became clear that I had to go small.
Like fish sized.
Hmm. Trouble is, the only fish I’ve ever owned in my life was a goldfish from the New Mexico State Fair.
That one lived quite a while, by the by.
So this quest required some research. I looked for a fish that was easy to get set up and easy to care for. The answer was simple, a betta.
I spent hours going through the pages on bettatalk.com and I learned a lot. I made lists. I fretted. I thought about it a lot. And then yesterday, the waiting was over.
The Good Man and I went to the pet store.
And we came home with not one but two new fish friends!
Without further ado, may I introduce you to:
Margaret The Fish
She is actually The Good Man’s fish. When we set out on our journey, we were just going to get one fish. But once we got to the store, The Good Man was so charmed by this inquisitive little girl, she had to come home with us.
I’m charmed by her too, actually.
So heck, easy solution. We decided to get two fishes and let them live in their own tanks side-by-side.
It’s a good solution.
Margaret is a pretty little fish and she’s happy to have interaction and already recognizes us. She’s not eating a whole lot yet so we’re hoping she’s still just a little shocky from the move and will be feeling right soon.
So now that you’ve met Margaret…please meet:
Frank The Fish
So named because of his vibrant blue eyes. He has all of the looks and none of the charm of Sinatra.
As you can see in his photo, Frank is a bit of a stalker. He stares at Margaret.
A lot.
In a creepy mouth breathing way.
He’d totally send her inappropriate messages on Facebook if he was a human. Instead he just stares. A lot.
Margaret mostly ignores him.
So we’ve got them set up in their respective tanks and they are doing (*coff-coff*) swimmingly.
As for the existing member of our pet family….
Well, the word indignant comes to mind.
The feline is sort of not amused by these new items taking our attention.
Thankfully, she doesn’t try to attack them. She just watches, shrugs, and walks away.
I suppose all will settle down in the house soon.
And The Good Man and I are learning a lot about how to care for these new friends.
I never thought I’d be a fish person, but here I am, all enamored of my fish.
Tis a crazy, wonderful, mixed up life.
Comments
Natalie
I was never a fish person (despite my Piscean nature) until I got Ruby. Ruby was a beta but I didn't know that beta's only came in male varieties, hence the name Ruby, but he didn't seem to mind. I've never had a fish track me but Ruby always knew my hands (versus my partner's) and would always come to the edge and look at me. He lived a good long life (7 years, which is really long for a beta) until he had a bout of ick and it lead to his eventual demise.
I cried.
Here's hoping you can enjoy Margaret and Frank for many years to come.
:)
Karen Fayeth
Yay Ruby!
Part of why I wanted to get a betta is I heard that they become very loyal to their humans, and it's certainly the case with Frank and Margaret. They swim up to us now, swim to the side when they hear our voices and swim up to our hands at feeding time.
Frank is so comfy now that when we hold up a mirror to his tank he fluffs right the heck up. He would swim away before. Someone is feeling real sure this big tank belongs to him alone.
Seven years with Ruby is great! I'd love to get that from these new friends!!
Thanks Nat!