In 2000 my mom bought two, $0.12 gold fish from the pet store. She bought a round bowl for them to live in. My nephew MJ was almost 2 and they were for him to enjoy. He would take the bowl in the middle of the table and spin it. The poor fish would slosh around and get their fins stable just in time for MJ to spin the bowl again. These two fish got the names Dizzy and Spinner because of this.
They were the same types of goldfish that you’d win at the carnival. They weren’t expected to live for very long. My mom anticipated they’d be dead before MJ turned 3.
He’s going to be 12 this year and she’s still cleaning a fish tank.
They are mutant fish size now. I actually think you could put them with Koi in a pond and you’d never know they were 12-cent goldfish bought a decade ago. From the tip of their face to the end of their tail, they’re at least 6 inches, but probably closer to 8.
Within the last 6 months one of the fish jumped to his death. My mom was out shopping and came home to find only one fish in the tank. We’re assuming that was Dizzy that jumped to his death.
Last night my mom went to bed later than usual and was overly tired. She set her alarm for early morning so she could get some work done that she hadn’t the energy to do. The alarm went off and she didn’t want to get up. Then she heard it. It sounded like boxes falling in the living room.
She lives alone and immediately her mind started to race that someone was in the house. She went to investigate only to find the house empty. She laid back in bed and heard the noise again.
She went out to the living room and heard nothing. Immediately she thought it was a rat or a mouse. Then the noise started again.
Spinner had jumped out of the tank, landed in a box that was set to go to the dump and was flopping around. She’s always warned the fish that if they jump out of the tank, they’re out of luck because she won’t touch a live fish.
After the flopping stopped, my mom started to feel sorry for Spinner. The poor fish was suffering. Even though she had no idea she’d have these fish for a decade, she’s grown quite fond of them. She grabbed a towel, screamed her head off and put Spinner into the tank. It had been 30 minutes of flopping around and she was concerned he’d just float and she’d prolonged his suffering.
Is that what he did? Nope! He started swimming around like he was out for a field trip. He’s alive and well. The front of his face looks a little different, but he’s absolutely fine.
One on hand we’re relieved that he’s alive and well. I’m totally proud of my mom for facing some fears and saving the poor guy.
On the other hand, if a fish can survive for 30 minutes in an old computer box, he’ll be around for awhile. Probably until MJ has kids of his own.
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