Beta Fish

A fellow blogger, BigMama, had a post about her daughter's Beta dying and the drama that ensued. It brought up memories of our fish experiences.

We've buried six Beta fish in my daughter's short 9 years, and the tales, they are aplenty. Let me preface this post by saying that my daughter has the BIGGEST HEART in all the world when it comes to animals. They have feelings, y'all, and they hurt just like people do. She has a sixth sense about animals; she's like a tiny Dr. Dolittle. Animals sense that she loves them, and even the meanest dogs will let her pet them and hug them. (Because dogs LOVE hugs, really they do.) She wants to be a vet when she grows up, and I have no doubt that she'll be a good one.

Fred Pickle
Fred Pickle was our first Beta. Don't remember where we got him. His name comes from a nickname (Fredwina Pickle) that I gave Leyden when she was a baby. The Pickle part is from an old friend of mine who used to say to me, "Sometimes you're dill, and sometimes you're sweet, but you're always a pickle." The Fred part just came out one day and stuck. We got Fred the First when we lived in our doublewide, and he was buried in the septic system. (NOTE: Toilet burial is not recommended for fish owned by small children, even with proper prayer and ceremony. I don't think Leyden ever got over seeing Fred the First swirl his way to the grave.)

Fred Pickle II
When Fred Pickle I died, it was only natural to name the next one Fred Pickle II. After all, Leyden was only about 4, and her creativity juices were just beginning to flow. I don't recall how Fred the Second died, but he is buried in the woods at the doublewide next to Ethel, the cockatoo Leyden got when she was 3, who died from cold. (NOTE: Birds don't like to be in a cold draft near the front door.) Fred the Second's funeral was pretty dramatic, what with Leyden's memories of Ethel's funeral resurfacing and the trauma! And horror! At losing her second fish! It really was heart-wrenching watching her mourn the scaly little guy.

Fredwina Pickle
Fredwina was a female Beta, so she had to have a girl name. I'm sure Leyden figured it was perfectly normal to name a girl Fredwina, since I've called her that all her life. Fredwina is buried at our old house way out in the country, with a rock headstone engraved with a Sharpie. The funeral for Fredwina was dramatic, as usual, but with fewer tears. By this time, I think Leyden had grown accustomed to fish funerals, but she was still sad to lose her friend.

Rainbow Fred Pickle
Rainbow Fred was named so because - you guessed it - he had a rainbow of colors on him. He was probably the most beautiful Beta we ever had. He is buried beside Fredwina, with a similar rock headstone engraved with a Sharpie. His funeral was the usual dramatic scene. He was her buddy, her pal. He lived in her room in a pretty bowl that had a light that we turned on at night.

Forever Fred Pickle
Forever Fred Pickle was a gift from Santa, all the way from the North Pole. He was named Forever Fred so he wouldn't die. Guess what? It didn't work. He's buried beside Fredwina and Rainbow Fred - no headstone. His burial was quick and almost painless, because it was pouring down rain outside. Leyden was still sad, because he was, after all, supposed to live FOREVER.

Speckled Fred Pickle
Speckled Fred actually was bought for my office when I worked for the A/E firm. We called him Spec because typing building specifications was one of the main things we did in my office. When I left the A/E firm, Spec came home with me and became Leyden's fish and enjoyed Forever Fred's company. Leyden re-named him, but because he was spotted, she decided to name him Speckled Fred so he could keep Spec for his nickname. (Because we can't have a fish that isn't named Fred. AND Pickle.) After Forever Fred died, Spec Fred was all alone in the kitchen. His last home was a Mason jar because, let's face it, who has cutesy decorative fish bowls in the country? It just doesn't go with the decor. Spec Fred died when Leyden was going through a particularly trying time (this was obviously before April 17th, when Leyden started to become real familiar with stress and stress managment skills). So, I wrapped Spec Fred in a paper towel, placed him in a sandwich bag and put him in the deep freeze to preserve him until Leyden could handle the news of his death and assist in a proper burial. Because that is what any good mother would do. Leyden never missed him. Oh, and Spec Fred's funeral? It hasn't taken place yet. So he's still in my deep freeze. Please don't tell my mother.

Now we just have a dog. They live longer.