Meet Diego #2

Last time I blogged about our first pet (Julian's 3rd birthday), I said Diego, the fish's days are numbered. That was at the end of September. Less than four months later, Diego died. I don't want to talk about the details, but let's just say I killed it. I felt so bad, I kept apologising to Julian. He didn't understand why I caused his fish to die. He does understand death - something dies then it's gone. The fish was a present from my brother. When he saw my brother, Julian said to him, "My Mommy do to my fish". He meant to say, mommy killed my fish. So sweet of him to not use the word kill.

I packed away the fish tank cos I dont want to be reminded of what I've done, and especially didn't want the kids to remind me when they see an empty tank. But everywhere I looked, I see reminders of Diego. Poor fish.

Today we went to the pet shop and got a new fish. We purposely didn't choose a blue one. It wouldn't be right to replace Diego and forget all about him. We got an orange Siamese fighting fish instead and some toys for him. He eats flakes & blood worms. Not a fussy eater.

The kids couldn't decide on a name for him. Long live Diego #2. Hayley named the fish Boy, after her brother!

2 weeks later: I finally got the courage to change the tank water. I never got over losing Diego #1, so still paranoid about what might happen to Diego #2.

Julian also finally named Diego #2. His name is Dora, and it's a she. One day I looked at the fish tank, and said "Boy, would you like to eat worms?". Julian heard and said, I'm Boy. I said, you never named this fish, so I call him Boy ok? That was when he was forced to come up with a name. He said to me, "Blue fish made you sad Mommy. Red (looks orange to me) fish makes you happy".