Sad day in the house

[Tesla_HV]

Three and a half years ago, my son (now seven) brought home a Betta from a "science camp" summer program. That day, he named him Piney. Well for the past few weeks, Piney hasn't looked well. He has lost most of his color and gotten a bloated look. Piney is an old fish and has lived well past the average age for a Betta. Last night, Piney was lying on his side at the bottom of the tank twitching. I debated on whether to tell my son and in the end I figured it was right to let him say goodbye. I called him down and told him that I thought that Piney would not make it through the night. My son said "Bye Piney" and went up to bed where he cried himself to sleep. It's been hard on all of us who have gotten fond of Piney. I don't think most people would understand.
RIP "Piney" 2002? - 2006.

[Lila]

I understand. :( I didn't have my betta that long, but Dum Dum was a fun betta. I loved talking nice to him while he flared and shook at me. He was so lively. In the end, it was the filter in the new tank that got him. He was in that tank for three days, and hid behind the filter to avoid the flow. I was just getting information on how to slow the flow, but when I next checked on him, he was dead, stuck between the filter and the tank. I was so upset. He was the liveliest betta I ever owned (and believe it or not, got him at a Mejiers).

RIP Piney. :(

[ratherbe]

Okay, I got teary eyed reading your post Tesla. Guess it's the Mom thing in me coming out. Doesn't matter if it's a fish, a cat, a dog or whatever pet you have, it still hurts when they're gone. RIP Piney

[bettagurl]

sorry for your loss:(
he's young again,swimming in a big,warm lake happily:)

R.I.P Piney

[Tesla_HV]

Okay, I got teary eyed reading your post Tesla. Guess it's the Mom thing in me coming out. Doesn't matter if it's a fish, a cat, a dog or whatever pet you have, it still hurts when they're gone. RIP Piney

Thanks, I did last night, while writing this post, and now too. Funny isn't it? Big, middle-aged guy shedding a tear. Can't let the "guys" see me. Thanks again.

[tai95]

While it's awful to have anything die, you should feel proud of yourself that you kept a betta alive and well long past the average age. Dying of old age instead of neglect is something you don't hear about much.

So is there a Piney 2 in the future?

[Tesla_HV]

So is there a Piney 2 in the future?

While we haven't talked about it much, I would guess yes.

[YoFishboy]

The passing of a pet is a sad yet important lesson we all go through as children.....it's often the first time we begin to grasp mortality and, if we are lucky, we also grasp the concept of change and appreciating those we love in the here and now....and it's ok for us "big Middle Aged" guys to get a little teary eyed sometimes....real men are compassionate....remember, we are not grieving for ourselves as much as we are wanting to protect our kids from these tougher life lessons.....take care!

[boofish2]

Awww, so sorry to hear about the loss of your Piney :(
Like PP said, you gave that fish a better life then a whole lotta bettas could ever wish for (do fishes make wishes?) Sorry, just trying to bring a smile :o not make light.
You should be proud of what a great pet owner you are :)

[Tesla_HV]

Thanks Boo, you don't have to apologize for making me smile. I appreciate the words. While this is a sad occasion, I expect all to be normal in a few hours after all of the services are complete. I say services since my son wants a complete funeral. He has even made a casket. I stopped short of asking him if he wanted our Legion Honor Guard there to give a 21-gun salute. In a way, it brings a smile to my face when I think of the great lengths he will go through to honor Piney. We'll laugh about it later.

[125gJoe]

While it's awful to have anything die, you should feel proud of yourself that you kept a betta alive and well long past the average age. Dying of old age instead of neglect is something you don't hear about much.

Sorry about the loss, but that indeed is their lifespan.

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/anabantids2/p/betta.htm



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[Bitsy]

Aww, I'm so sorry for your loss! *hugs* It's never easy to lose a pet but it sounds like your son is dealing with it like a little man!! I want to see pics when and if there is a Piney 2! :D

[fishcatch22]

I understand. i'm sure it was even harder on your son. I know what it's like to lose your very first real pet... he is swimming gracefully through the amber evening clouds now....

[bettagurl]

if you are ever interested in another piney let me know,im trying to get rid of some of my boys. :)

[Tesla_HV]

if you are ever interested in another piney let me know,im trying to get rid of some of my boys. :)

Do they mail well? I can just image receiving a betta that is permanently neurotic from the trauma of shipment.

BTW, we had Piney's funeral Sunday afternoon. We buried him at the base of "Thinking Rock."

[bettagurl]

bettas do ship well,but you'd have to pay for either priority or overnight :)
I'll get pics of the boys that need homes.

[fishcatch22]

"Thinking Rock." what's that?

[bettagurl]

here are the two,the blue one is a wal-mart rescue,the red is a petsmart guy:D
the blue has some fin damage.

[Tesla_HV]

Bettagurl,
My son doesn't want a replacement fish right away. He says that he wants to wait four years; one for each year the Piney was alive. However nice the gesture is, I suspect that he will change his mind. Thank you for the offer. Those are some handsome Bettas you've got there.
-- Monty --

BTW, "Thinking Rock" is a large granite boulder in our front yard. Last summer, my daughter named it so and made a sign for it. It has a large flat area on top which is perfect to sit on and think, hence the name.

[coupedefleur]

I'm glad that Piney got full funeral honors rather than the usual "burial at sea".