I could not bring myself to share the loss. Who knew a little fish would find his way into my heart the way he did… completely won me over. I really learned a lot from him.

14 years I loved the little goldfish friend we “won” at a fair… he became family, would swirl around when he seemed happy, we fed him a smushed frozen pea, as he got 4 times his original size, he got 2-3 peas a day… and would be so excited when I was preparing those peas. Take the skin off with a little warm water… smash up and he would eat it right out of the little spoon…

We had his tank in the kitchen where he had the view of the place, people coming and going, good light, the same plants that I found for him from the beginning were still alive and thriving when he passed last year. I miss my little friend.

Sometimes he would jump out of the water, when the cats and dogs were playfully running [around]. I loved him. He was precious and smart, and I miss him.

I would not do it again, he fell into my lap, when my kid played for him with friends and brought him home… he deserved a better life, and in nature, he would have lasted 20 – 30 years. He managed to be a strong healthy little fish for 14 years. Two trips across the country, three states. What an amazing big personality in that little boy.

Humans wake up. Be kind, be mindful. They are all sentient creatures.

RIP little one.