Today I committed the ultimate crime: murder. More accurately, it would have to be categorized as fish-slaughter, as my intent was not to off our lone family pet. I merely decided that after 3 months it was finally time to clean Ella Therese’s poop-laden bowl. As you can see, the bowl and the water are crystal clean. The fish however is upside down, which I have come to learn is not a good thing. We’re waiting for the autopsy report, but obviously, the radical upheaval in Ella’s ecosystem appeared to have led to her demise.
Lilly and Lulu didn’t notice their fallen friend tonight, so tomorrow when it’s time to feed her breakfast, we’re going to have to have a little chat about fishy heaven. And then, I suppose, we’ll be heading out to the fish store to buy a new fish and to get McDad some “how not to kill the family pet” lessons.
Posted by Mooselet on June 28, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Mate, you’re supposed to go and replace the fish before they notice Elle Therese has, er, moved on. Quick, to the pet store!
Posted by Dan on June 29, 2007 at 12:02 am
Next time don’t use bleach.
Posted by Hygiene Dad on June 29, 2007 at 3:47 am
Did you use the chlorine drops? You need that if the fish is actually going to have a chance of surviving the McDad world.
So does this mean you’re going out to buy Brittany Michelle this weekend?
Posted by Annie on June 29, 2007 at 6:19 am
This is the reason that we don’t even have so much as a goldfish in this house! I’m doing good keeping the humans alive, don’t want to sully my record
Posted by Jeff on June 29, 2007 at 7:07 am
Oh, I get it… she died of lead poisoning.
(so sorry, I just couldn’t resist)
Posted by Mitch McDad on June 29, 2007 at 7:27 am
Nice catch Jeff. My 5th grade spelling skills on display.
Posted by Jeff on June 29, 2007 at 8:35 am
Well, if you correct it my comment won’t make sense anymore! Sheesh.
Posted by Anne Glamore on June 29, 2007 at 9:31 am
As an old hand at killing and replacing pets, let me recommend that you get a blue Betta fish next time. They ALL look alike. You can do the whole heaven/funeral/ and choice of flushing or burial in yard THIS time, but you won’t want to do it again. A Betta assures you of the perfect perpetu-pet.
Posted by MetroDad on June 29, 2007 at 11:10 am
Somehow this post feels totally appropriate since my daughter is completely fucking bonkers over “Finding Nemo.” I’ve watched the movie about 10 times this week and I’m getting ready to knock out every fish bowl in sight!
That being said, condolences to the little fishy.
Posted by PunditMom on June 29, 2007 at 11:14 am
Oh, my condolences. I keep thinking about a fish, since we have no pets here at Chez PunditMom, but I fear I would do the same thing!
Posted by Charlie on June 29, 2007 at 11:46 am
I saw switch it and tell her he’s part chameleon
Posted by MammaLoves on June 29, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I think those betas actually love the yucky water more.
You can’t use tap water, they usually can’t handle it. Did you use the little drops?
Posted by Augs Casa on June 29, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I’m not sure if it’s me (probably is) but the picture is over your post? BTW, I really enjoy your writing.
Posted by Phoenix on June 29, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Try a Beta next time. They just need a teeny cup, which requires little cleaning. Plus, if you put a wee mirror up against their cup, they attack themselves. It’s great fun.
Posted by Phoenix on June 29, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Excuse my English accent. I don’t exactly know where I got if from, but I’ve been doing it all day.
Posted by Tuesday on June 29, 2007 at 4:16 pm
The same thing just happend to our goldfish that we have had since October WTH?
Posted by JayMonster on June 29, 2007 at 6:32 pm
You can not (as you have already discovered) replace *all* of their water at the same time.
Sorry about that.
Posted by karriew on June 30, 2007 at 5:05 am
I’ve actually had better luck with Bettas in real tanks. I know that goes against the common thought, but as long as they have quiet spots to hide and the air source is not crazy powerful, they live much longer in a big tank. Plus, cleaning is not such a PITA. Just add a little fresh water with the drops every now and then, and get a few pleckos to help keep the tank scum free.
Posted by Paige on June 30, 2007 at 7:52 am
I keep thinking I want to get Avery a fish. And yet there is the “Oh girl, you can’t even keep your own plants alive!” that’s keeping me from sealing the deal on a purchase.
Posted by L.A. Daddy on June 30, 2007 at 11:12 am
LA Toddler had 4 fish. LA Mommy cleaned the tank about 5 months ago. That killed 3 of them. I haven’t cleaned the tank since. If the fish would rather live in filth and… LIVE, then so be it. I’m not messing with it.
I just change out some water every now and then. But that little goldfish is going strong.
Posted by henitsirk on July 6, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I had a goldfish when I was a girl that lived almost a year. I have no idea how or why. But it too ended up in a fishy swirly, after getting, I kid you not, “tail rot”. Yum.
Posted by Jared... ur 22 year old friend on September 12, 2007 at 2:27 pm
thanks for the article, but i swore we took that pic together?