Post by Carl on Aug 5, 2009 9:17:19 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. It is very comforting to me knowing that you guys care and understand.
It is hard for me when I lose a fish, which is hard for most other people (you guys excluded) to understand. My husband was raised a farmer and his family depended on the animals they raised for food. So when it comes to the death of any animals it is very hard for him to feel the loss because he was raised to not look at them as pets (and especially fish - he just can't understand). So when I lose any animal, I feel very alone in my grief. It's very comforting that I found a place that shares in my loss and can relate.
That is very neat that you feel this way, as well I certainly can respect your husbands view.
Since I took care of literally thousands of aquariums for clients starting in 1978, I have seen many different emotions/views on their "finned pets" deaths. I really came to respect how much many would care for their fish as pets & members of the family (or office).
I remember an office that had a marine aquarium, the staff was so nice and cared so much for their fish (especially an Orbic Batfish named Oscar, & the day he died was so sad).
As well I had another lady who had a Bala Shark she loved so much that she was hardly consolable, when I got to her home after he had gone into shock and stopped moving (after he jumped and hit the glass top hard). I used a 15 watt ballast and the bare wires to shock him back (this only works about 10-20% of the time, but thankfully for this nice lady, it worked this time)
Anyway, I am glad you feel you could share your loss here with us.
Carl