8 Comments
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Dianne Moritz's avatar

Oh, what we do to make kids happy! Wishing Leo a long life. Perhaps some day soon your child will be eager to handle the care taking.

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Neural Foundry's avatar

Brilliant piece on how compassion scales in unexpected ways. The feeder fish dilemma you hit on is something most people dunno exists, like how a $3 decision at afair suddenly means learning water chemistry and Walstad methods. I had a similar spiral with rescuing a stray cat that turned into managing a whole colony. Sometimes the ethical choice isn't binary, it's just committing to doing better once you know better.

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Shanyn Vitti-Avila's avatar

I had a very similar experience. Skirp entered our lives and became part of our family. We had a 50 gallon tank just for him, with plants, etc. He was loved and because our place was so small, positioned to spend time with us in the living room. Often watching tv. He loved the Olympics. I am not exaggerating. He died and it was awful. I have never gotten another fish. I can’t do it. I prefer to see them in the wild. I will watch your journey. ❤️

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DH's avatar

He may be lonely in the tank by himself, maybe win him a companion. At least they're not like guppies, those breed copiously with no encouragement whatsoever.

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Mary Stachyra Lopez's avatar

I have definitely not thought about getting another goldfish and her name will definitely not be Tess of the D'Urbergills.

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Stephen Turnbull's avatar

Very enjoyable piece, and sooooo true! In my daughter's case many years ago, we had a very similar situation with gerbils. She started with a couple and ended up with 48, occupying an enormous fish tank in her bedroom. Great educational exercise, and they didn't take too much looking after.

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Ruth's avatar

Adorable and enjoyable!!

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Goldfish--who knew?

As challenging a hobby as teaching a preteen how to do laundry!

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