Goldfish, an easy pet some may say. They swim their way into your heart and nestle their amongst the filtered aquarium waves.
A couple of years ago I got a pet fish, Casper. He was the first pet I ever got and raised on my own. He seemed more or less happy, often swimming up to the side of his tank when I put my hand or face near. But I decided to get Casper a friend, because who like to swim alone? Along came Bonnie with her beautiful tail, and the two became best friends.
Two years of love and happiness went by. They were there for me in the good times and the bad, and they made a pretty good looking lounge decoration. They were more than just pets, they were cute little buddies who I loved, even if they don't give me much affection. The occasional swim up to the side of the tank to look deep into my eyes was enough for me.
Then, one rainy day, I went to feed the two fish and say hello, but all I could see was Bonnie. My stomach dropped and my heart sank. I knew this day would come eventually, but it's still a massive shock when it actually happens. Even with all the proper care, quality food and tank maintenance, Casper was found dead, stuck under an ornament against the side of the tank.
What made Casper's death even worse, I had thrown out the fish net a couple of days before because there was a big hole in it. I'd not yet bought another one, thinking it could wait until the weekend. My very first pet that I had paid for and looked after all myself was dead. I had to scoop the lifeless corpse out of the tank with a plastic spoon and fork.
After weeks of living by herself, Bonnie (the remaining fish) was lonely. Hardly swimming or eating, she looked depressed. Scared for her life, I got some new fish and even a new, bigger tank in an attempt to fill up my flat with pet love. I got three new goldfish. Pippy, Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang. I couldn't help but name a couple of fish after my favourite TV show, a simple tribute was the least I could do.
The School were as happy as Larry, and the tank set up was beautiful. I was really happy with this little family I had set up with myself, the fish and my flat mates. Instead of a TV we often just sat watching the fish and the funny little things they would do. Often chasing each other, playing amongst the ornaments and feeding time.
Bonnie was thriving with her new found companionship, and the new fish didn't seem to mind their home. It was no Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital and there was no McDreamy or McSteamy
But yesterday morning, I was sitting on the couch with my morning coffee, relaxing on a typical Sunday. I look over and Bonnie is staring at me, lifeless and floating weirdly. It was really disappointing, especially because I planned to clean out the tank that day. I understand that's what happens with life's creatures, but I can't help but be sad when something under my care and protection dies. Even more so if it was something I might have done, or didn't do for that matter.
But alas, the show must go on, and so must my life. I moved the fish tank into my room from a fresh start. I vowed to treat the remaining three fish like princesses. Pippy, Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang were going to be so happy and cherished, they weren't going to know what hit them.
Or so I thought. I got home from University and found Meredith Grey floating upside down in the tank. Pippy was also floating weirdly in the corner and Cristina Yang wasn't moving.
I fished out the lifeless corpse of Meredith Grey and it felt like the end of a long era. Luckily, Cristina Yang started swimming in protest of losing her best friend, knowing there was nothing she could do to save her. Puppy started swimming too, but with less enthusiasm. Fortunately I still had two fish left, for the time being.
Two of my fish died in two days. I don't know why because nothing changed. I did everything I could to ensure they were properly looked after and they seemed happy too, in fact they were the happiest I'd ever seen them in the weeks leading up the to two most recent deaths. But I guess that is the circle of life.
I never realised how much I could care about fish. As a New Zealander, our flat eats Fish and Chips semi-regularly. We even had to rename this as "chicken and chips" to save the feelings of our little beloved aquatic friends.
R.I.P Casper & Bonnie
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