Indulge Your Inner Child

Fish are the most ridiculous pets.  But not because they don’t do much.

Ok a bit of back story on pet fish.  I always wanted a fish growing up; most kids do.  Because my parents had joint custody I was always going back and forth and so I didn’t get a fish because they didn’t want to take care of the bloody thing.

So then, one of my neighbors got me a fish.  They said we’d share it.  When I was away, they would take care of it.  I couldn’t be more excited.  (wishing I had a chubby photo to share with you, but this story didn’t last long enough for a photo)

I had the tank, the rocks, the “special water” (which at the time I thought was ridiculous but now I know that it’s important), and of course, the fish.  I wanted to take care of my fish so badly so I cleaned it’s tank and fed it more often than you are supposed to.

Well, it died.  My first week away from my fish and it was gone.  I never got another fish until my adulthood.

A few months ago I told my partner, Zev, that I wanted a fish. 

Side note: one of my fatal flaws, but also favorite characteristics, is that when I set my mind to something, I really cannot let it go until I achieve it.

So I did what any sane adult would do: I looked at coupons.  And then I waltzed over to Petsmart where I found my Top Fin Aquarium with 7-color changing LEDs.  It has a corner filter and was on sale—booyah!

And then it was time for the fish.  But they wouldn’t let me get fish until my aquarium was set up.

“I thought being an adult meant I got to spend my adult money on whatever I want but fine I’ll wait to get my fish”

So we went back the next week to get the fish.  BUT THE FISH HAD BEEN EVACUATED.  Due to the fires in Santa Cruz County, they evacuated the fish.  You read that right.  It’s as ridiculous as it sounds.

Eventually I got my seven fish, and you know what happened?  Four died.  So I got three more.  And they died.  So I got two more.  And they died.  Then someone gave me some goldfish.  Those died too.

Which leads me to my main point of this story: fish are bad pets.  Not because they don’t do anything, but because they are impossible to keep alive.  I mean, there was a point where we had six foster cats driving us crazy but we kept them alive no problem.

Anyway, my real main point is that even though I cannot figure out how to keep more than my three original Raspora alive, I still feel a childlike glee when it comes to the fish.  

So I encourage you to spend some of your adult money on your childhood desires.  It feels fulfilling in an entirely different way.

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