The Life of Dennis.
Emily went to a ?Finding Nemo? themed birthday party on Sunday and one of the party favors was a softball-sized fishbowl with a small goldfish. She was pretty excited about the fish and named it Dennis. Patti and Emily had breakfast this morning by the time I came down and the fishbowl and fish were right in the middle of the kitchen table, so I assume they all had breakfast together.
Never having fish before, and really never that interested in it, I did not have fish food. So I went to the pet store today and bought a bigger fish bowl, some food, colored rocks to make the bowl look a little better, and a net to scoop the fish out when it dies?I mean when we have to change the water. At first I thought this thing would be a good exercise to teach Emily how to take care of something but 1) it?s only a fish so there is not much needed and 2) she is not even three yet. How much do I expect a kid under three to learn about taking care of another living thing when she is not old enough to blow her own nose? But anyway, I think it will be fun to try to take care of. The fish is the first non-human living thing we have had since Pumbaa died in 2001. Not counting a squirrel who found its way into our three season porch or a mouse that lives in the woodpile out back. It?s a good way to ease into something bigger and more interactive. And more dry.
I have no idea how long the fish will live but my goal is 30 days. No reason I chose 30 days other than I have no idea how hard it is to take care of a fish. Patti said goldfish can live up to 10 years. I hope that is not the case, for the sake of the fish. When I was a kid I had hamsters and you couldn?t kill those things if you poisoned them. But I heard fish are sensitive to a change in water temperature and the light and what is on TV so who knows. Another thing it might die of is pure boredom. No other fish, no toys or stuff in the bowl, and nothing to really do. But hey, it?s a fish so maybe it has a creative imagination to keep itself company.
I?ll let you know how it goes. Wish me luck. Thus starts the life of Dennis.
Comments