another one bites the dust

We at the Parks household are sad to announce the passing of our beloved Dorothy.

Many of you knew and loved "Big Eyes", and were deeply saddened by the news of his passing. Dorothy wasn't as ugly, but she was a dear fish. A dear old fish.

At the ripe age of 18 months, Dorothy became ill at the start of this week. She stopped eating, and then stopped swimming. Looking back, I'd say that she began to lose weight a few weeks ago, but I attributed that to the new 'smaller' bowl.

Last night I sat staring at her as she lay slumped on the bottom of her bowl....not moving, but her gills still a-flappin (howbeit slowly). I was at once overcome with compassion for this stupid fish. I actually put my nose up against the bowl and heard myself saying these words:

"Dorothy...it's okay. You can go now. It's alright. You can let go. It's time......go on....."

Today my compassion had reached an overwhelming level, where I actually scooped her up in a ladle and tried to bring her up to where the food was floating on the surface. She nibbled...but fell into the ladle exhausted.

I changed her water (a last meal, and a clean shirt...if you will) and went on with my day. I came down to the kitchen later, and found that Anneka had tried to "feed" her dying fish, by pouring half the fish flakes into the bowl. Thru the blizzard of flakes, I could see Dorothy on the bottom.

She was gone. It was over.

"Anneka" I whispered gently "remember when I told you that Dorothy was very sick?"
"Yes. Is she dead yet?"
"Yes Anneka, she has died. "
"Great Mommy! Let's flush her! She can go to heaven and see Big Eyes!" She chirped happily
"Okay...but isn't it still quite sad that your fish has died?"
"C'mon Mommy....we can just buy another one at the pet store! Let's FLUSH HIM!"

Thus ends the saga of our fish. I'm sure it won't be our last.

ps...for future reference, to anyone who's around when I should come to die...please let Aila handle my funeral arrangements! hee hee