I'd leave it alone until you gain the maturity, experience and expertise to take this on. You're 17 and right now this seems like a good idea. Next week backpacking through the rainforest might seem like a good idea.
Mark
Mark
Dentists Aquarium: What would you do?
- Thread starter Fishfriend1
- Start date
I found this thread fasinating. I had a similar problem with a tank at my vet's office. She's a really good vet, but she knows nothing about aquariums. She left the aquarium up to her employees. It's about 40 gallons. The first time I went in and saw the tank, she had a bunch of comets in it. I told her they weren't a good choice for her tank. The next time I went in, there were 6 baby oscars in it. I chuckled and told her that when the oscars outgrew her tank and destroyed all of the pretty decorations, give me a call and I'd help her get it set up right. About six months later, I called to set up an appointment to have a dog spayed. We set up the appointment and she asked me if I knew anyone that would be interested in taking the 2 oscars she had left. I told her I would look around. Then she asked me if I was still interested in helping her with the tank. The employee that was taking care of the tank quit. She has seen my tanks and wants hers to look just as nice. I told her the first thing that needs to be done is finding a home for the oscars. We're still working on that. She's willing to do what I say now, and I got my dog spayed for free.
Well, right as you may or may not be, I can't go to that place and see the fish there without feeling sorry for them... and backpacking though the rainforest does sound fun... ooh, maybe I'll pet that cute bright colored little frog too? lol, I may not be all to old, but I do have some level of maturity. What made you think I didn't? Age doesn't = maturity. I wasn't planning to keep any of the fish (except possibly the neons) and there is a very good LFS near by house that would be happy to take them in (as donations). However, if I feel differently next week when I get my next tooth checkup, I will tell you...
Interesting story, and I hope the oscars make it okay.
If this works out with FF, maybe his dentist can spay him for free...
lol, see, maturity and age are completely different things, as Madcrawdad shows clearly here...
I am not saying teeth and fish have anything in common. But being able to care for something weather it be teeth, fish, cats whatever is similar.. All I am saying is that you really dont want to go up to your dentist and say something to the effect "Hey, you dont know crap about keeping fish and you are doing everything wrong, let me tell you...." He will be on the defensive and will probably either say or think "Hey, you are a 17 yr old kid that doesnt even know how to take care of his own teeth, and you are telling me what I need to do?"
Having 9 cavities is a lot. I am in my 40s and I havent had 9 cavities during my entire life.
As I stated before, I am not trying to be insulting, just matter of fact.
Having 9 cavities is a lot. I am in my 40s and I havent had 9 cavities during my entire life.
As I stated before, I am not trying to be insulting, just matter of fact.
You could say the same about anything. Is having 9 cavities really that different from being delinquent on your mortgage, being overweight, getting bad grades, having a poor driving record, etc? Nobody's perfect, and if you make assumptions about people's abilities (or inabilities) by how they do in other, completely unrelated areas, it just makes you seem shallow.
I'm nearly 30 and I only have one cavity. I grew up on fluoride water and my parents didn't let me drink soda (hated it at the time, but am thankful now...I still drink soda very sparingly). I do brush my teeth twice a day, but I probably wouldn't have the same habit if my parents hadn't made me all throughout my childhood. I have a feeling when dentists see a kid with 9 cavities, they are blaming their parents more than they are the kid.
The dentist might have the defensive attitude you speak of, especially if Travis approaches him in that way, but I would think/hope he would be smarter than that about it.
It's very possible he won't be taken seriously because of his age, that's why if there's any hope at all in getting this to work, he should be humble and offer free help and advice. If they feel like they need it, there's a chance they will listen - but if they are ok with the way things are, then almost no one will be able to effect a change.
I'm nearly 30 and I only have one cavity. I grew up on fluoride water and my parents didn't let me drink soda (hated it at the time, but am thankful now...I still drink soda very sparingly). I do brush my teeth twice a day, but I probably wouldn't have the same habit if my parents hadn't made me all throughout my childhood. I have a feeling when dentists see a kid with 9 cavities, they are blaming their parents more than they are the kid.
The dentist might have the defensive attitude you speak of, especially if Travis approaches him in that way, but I would think/hope he would be smarter than that about it.
It's very possible he won't be taken seriously because of his age, that's why if there's any hope at all in getting this to work, he should be humble and offer free help and advice. If they feel like they need it, there's a chance they will listen - but if they are ok with the way things are, then almost no one will be able to effect a change.
Travis, I may be British, uptight and 40, but I'd be right in there with a huge goofy grin on me face, asking if they'd like any help with their "beautiful tank". Go get 'em.
Travis, I think you are kind to consider someone else's fish tank and the fish in it. I can see from your changing posts over the months you have been here, you are becoming even more and more mature-- I don't mean that in a condescending way in the least. Seventeen doesn't mean immature, necessarily, but it does mean having less life experience than some, simply based on the factor of time. Some of that experience has to do with dealing delicately with people in different situations in life. Boy, I wish I had known as much about "people skills" at seventeen as I do in my 40's-- and I am still amazed every day by what I learn!
I'm sure that you will handle this appropriately, and if it doesn't work out the way you would like, you will simply add the experience to your "people" bank and move on to more rewarding projects. I wish you good luck, and I think you have your heart in the right place, no matter how many cavities you have
I'm sure that you will handle this appropriately, and if it doesn't work out the way you would like, you will simply add the experience to your "people" bank and move on to more rewarding projects. I wish you good luck, and I think you have your heart in the right place, no matter how many cavities you have
Fshfanatic, I am more the capable of communicating with people. To prove that, I will not say any of the things I really want to say right now about the post you just made, or you own abilities. Suffice to say, fIshfanaitic, that no one is perfect and we all have our own failings. Mine just happens to be in tooth care, or more specifically, flossing. Now, please, no one likes to be treated rudely, and you have done just that. My inability to floss as well as you doesn't make me a worse fishkeeper. So, if we can be mature, lets end this whole argument now, okay?
~Travis
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