Friday, June 11, 2004

In Memory of Olie

It’s been a depressing, heart-breaking day today. Late yesterday afternoon, my fish was acting a bit strange but I didn’t know what was wrong. I did an emergency cleaning of the tank and checked the water quality and everything seemed to be ok after that, but when I got up this morning, it was obvious there was something wrong with him. He was acting completely disoriented and seemed to be having trouble swimming. I searched the internet for information and tried desperately to figure out what might be wrong. I tried everything I could to save him but it just wasn’t enough. He deteriorated throughout the day and finally gave up and died around 7pm tonight. I spent the entire day sitting next to his tank, talking to him and hoping somehow he’d be ok. I just couldn’t leave him. I didn’t want him to die there alone.

His name was Olie, named after my nephew’s favorite cartoon character, Rolie Polie Olie. He was a fancy goldfish, all silver with gold patches and lived in a 10 gallon aquarium set up just for him, right here next to my computer. It’s sitting here empty now and every time I look at it, I start to cry all over again. You might think it’s crazy to cry over a goldfish but he was MY goldfish and I loved him. I fed him and watched him and took care of him every day. He was part of my life and I miss him. Getting another fish wouldn’t make me miss Olie any less. He had his own personality, his own special quirks.

I love having pets in my life. They mean the whole world to me and I would never choose to live without them. But it hurts like hell to lose them. It tears my heart out. Last year, one of my cats died. I’d had him for 17 years. I cried for months and I still have his pictures all over the place. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. My other 2 cats are both less than 2 years old, so they should be around for a long time. At least, I hope so. I can’t bear the thought of losing either of them. They are my whole world. Losing 2 of my babies is enough.

Please, Lord, keep my babies safe and please watch over Olie and Cotton. I miss them so much.

 

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