Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tales of the Undead

A little while ago, I took Spencer to the pet store. (We needed bird seed.) While we were there, we took some time looking around at all the turtles, snakes, fish, puppies, rabbits, and even cats (shudder). But when it was time to go, there was a certain large-eyed goldfish that Spencer had fallen in love with. According to Spencer, the goldfish kept swimming in circles miming "I love you," through the glass. Being that the fish was only .30 cents and that we already have a small tank at home, I told him he could get the fish. Then I proceeded to explain that this fish was a feeder fish and it wouldn't last more than a few days. I hashed and rehashed the likelihood that once we bought the fish, it was a goner. But Spencer had faith that his new BFF would live forever. Or at least until Tuesday.
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We brought the fish home, set up the small tank, and proceeded to feed it somewhat frequently. Everyday after school Spencer would run in and check on his fish. "Nope, not dead yet!" he would proudly announce. This went on for a few days and then a few weeks. We began to call the fish Wesley. "Good night Wesley, good work today. You will most likely be dead in the morning."

But Wesley refused to die. Soon, Spencer's cheerful after school announcement turned into a somewhat annoyed: "When is this fish going to die?" or the more macabre: "Die fish die!" But Wesley hung on. He got through Halloween. He survived Thanksgiving. We are now heading into our fourth month with a very tenacious goldfish that may even require a Christmas present (more food).

So, true to his word, Spencer's faith kept Wesley alive long enough to annoy us all. Good work boy.

5 comments:

DMom said...

Hey, we tried to help Wesley into the next world by forgetting to feed him the entire time I was there but he is a survivor!

Jennifer B. said...

Hmmm. I recall a certain goldfish of Tyler's ("Goldie" perhaps?) That lived for YEARS! I didn't know then how rare that was, but perhaps the miracle is about to be repeated. Good luck!

Jessica said...

I won two fair fish that were promised to die within days and "Calico" and "Goldie" lived for 8 1/2 and 9 years respectively. Good luck.

Bethany said...

We have a beta who's going on 4 years (avg life expectancy 3 years) and I'm counting days. We've all recently said our goodbyes (he's starting to look more dead than alive), but because he survived for 2 weeks with nobody feeding him (we were gone on vacation), I'm thinking he may be stronger than I'd like.

Camari said...

You must 'accidentally' feed him too much food. That is the only humane way to kill a fish, otherwise its just called murder!!