Happy 4th of July

So. Fa's betta fish croaked. Almost croaked. Who am I kidding, he croaked. He was lying on his side for a few weeks, flailing for air once in a while and gasping for his last breath at the top of the tank every so often. I had to break down and send him to "Flushing". I felt bad sending him swishing while he was still gasping, but I didn't know what else to do. I somehow felt a sigh of relief today because he was suffering. At least he seemed like he was suffering. How much do fish actually suffer? Really? I couldn't very well fix him and I was NOT about to bring him to the emergency vet. Especially during a holiday weekend...(I couldn't even find my heart doctor this weekend, I wasn't about to search for a fish doctor)...C'mon, how far do I hafta go here? So, I flushed him. Yup, I killed the fish. I am a pet fish murderer. He is finding Nemo in the deep sewers of Long Island. I feel bad. Kinda.

Anyhoo. I've been sitting here trying not to let Fa realize he's no longer in his tank. "Breath of life ceased to exist." This is a nice tank mind you. A tank with a filter, light and even a gargoyle as company. Bettas live in stagnant, shallow, murky water so this was like "Betta Mansion North" here. She walked passed him a few times and never noticed. Luckily, we went to E's house to celebrate the 4th. So, she was preoccupied all day. We get home from the BBQ (Thanks J for cooking, you make a mean turkey burger). And I am starting to feel even more guilt-ridden about Chloe and his situation. Yes, the male fish's name was Chloe..Don't rub it in, I'm sure he's not all that thrilled with his outcome as it is. Except, Fa has trouble with her "L's" so she calls him "Canoey".

In the depths of my guilt, I call Petland Discounts and they are open 'till 6pm. I run there. Faster than if you lit a firecracker in my butt. (Hey, don't get any ideas). I buy an identical fish...."Chloe 2" and I set up a smaller tank. Without the whole rigamorole of the set up like before...Apparently, the large set up was too much and he wasn't happy there. I find that hard to believe, but that's what that guy in Petland says. It's a small home (I'll just tell Fa that since we moved into a new home, Chloe wanted one too). And it looks like things will go smoothly. But then again, does it ever go smoothly?

Fa is still napping. She had a very busy day with E and some other friends. They played in the kiddie pool and created masterpieces on the concrete with sidewalk chalk. It was a very relaxing and fun BBQ. That J & K really put together a nice feast. And it came in handy as distraction to the dying betta. When she wakes up, I'll bring Chloe2 to her room and tell her he wants to live with her in her room from now on. I'll do the whole dog and pony show about his new digs and hopefully she won't catch on. Damnit, she's really smart. I hope she doesn't call my bluff.