RIP Aloe

Let's bow our heads to remember Aloe, our beloved Betta fish. Aloe was a good fish, a part of our family, who entertained us for so...Ok, screw that. Who am I kidding? That stupid little asshole fish finally went to the great sashimi in the sky.

For those who hadn't read it, or who just don't recall, I blogged about this problematic fish before. He was all well and good for awhile, but then he started floating on his side. Rather than re-hash it here, just look at my blog from January 12, 2008. Better yet, follow this link: http://ctsahd.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html

Well anyway, we had a bunch of Ian's classmates over Friday after school. One of the parents commented that she thought our fish was dead, but I explained the whole story and assured her (and the other parents) that it was typical behavior and he was fine.

Well, let me tell you! We woke up this morning and as we were eating breakfast Ian says "Hey! Where's Aloe? I can't see him in the bowl." I go over and find Aloe completely vertical with his head down in the rocks. I gave a good tap on the side and he flinched...a little. Poor little guy as either that was his last breath or just his fishy muscles finishing up spasming because there wasn't any more movement out of him.

Of course I get the whole barrage of questions/comments: Is Aloe sick? What makes fish feel better? What kind of doctors see fish? Can they take medicine? What will happen if he doesn't go back up to the top of the water so he can eat his food? And on and on and on and on. And on and on and on and on...you get the picture.

We left it at the conclusion that Aloe was very sick and didn't feel like eating and should probably rest for awhile. And off we went with our day.

Well, fast forward to this afternoon. I walked by Aloe's fishbowl and wouldn't you know it, he was in the very same position! Face squished against the rocks of his watery grave. Ian wasn't around, so I didn't say anything...and I just left him there in suspended animation as I wasn't quite sure how to handle it with Ian.

He is beginning to get a grip on the whole 'death' thing, but I wasn't quite sure if we should have a little ceremony for Aloe to give Ian closure, or if he'd want to help me bury him in the yard or give him to Ian and allow him to huck him into the woods...I don't know.

But tonight while Allison was reading a bedtime book to the kids I went into the kitchen to get a drink. I happened to look over and saw that cloudy-eyed fish just floating there in his bowl. I decided enough was enough and made an executive decision: Down the toilet he went. I then re-joined my family in Ian's room and listened to the end of the story and then tucked Ian into bed.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little like the gangsters you see in the movies who do some awful things (kill someone & dispense of their bodies) and then carry on with their families moments later like nothing ever happened. It was actually quite liberating & I think I may have found a new career for me once the kids are in school full-time.

I haven't yet decided what to do with Aloe's bowl. I could leave it out on the counter to let Ian find it and use it as a natural 'intro' into the talk involving Aloe, his demise and the whole life cycle thing. I could also just clean out the fish bowl and put it away and see how long it takes Ian to realize he isn't there. Since he's been thinking about it, it probably won't be long...but knowing his track record with Dupree, we could be talking months here. Anyone wanna place bets?

So adieu Aloe. May you find a happier, less bloated place wherever you end up beyond our home (and septic tank).
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Oh c'mon. You didn't think I'd let this end without pictures, did you? Yeah, that's right: I took pictures! In my defense, it was solely for this blog. I really hope Ian doesn't stumble across this when he's old enough to poke around the internet.


Rigor mortis:




Open Casket Ceremony



Gone, but not forgotten