Friday, September 12, 2008

Fish Therapy

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What, you didn't know that fish can need therapy? You'd need therapy too if you were stuck swimming in circles around a tiny glass bowl all day...
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Seriously though, I find watching fish to be one of the most therapeutic and relaxing activities there is. There's just something about watching them silently glide and dart that I find utterly mesmerizing. My family knows that taking me to an aquarium is a risky prospect, that they are in danger of being trapped for hours as I gaze in wonder at the teeming life in the depths.
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Right now we've only got this poor little zebra fish in an old bowl. He's been with us for about two years now. (He used to have a few friends, but they've, uhh, gone to visit friends in other fishbowls far away. Yeah, that's what they've done. Hey, I may like to watch them but I never said I was great at taking care of them.) My kids are agitating for some friends for our lonely little guy though, so sometime soon we'll either buy a new bowl and a few more zebras, possible with a beta fish thrown in, or else take the plunge and decide that we're ready for the responsibility of an aquarium of our own. Maybe I'll price a few just to see...
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In the meantime, Mr. Fish and I will just continue to gaze lovingly into each other's eyes.
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I kid. He's certainly not looking at me. This fish is dumber than bread. Half the time he doesn't even notice when we feed him. Ah well, perhaps it's just his own coping mechanism - if I ignore the big scary monsters staring in at me maybe they'll just go away again and leave me to my silent prison. Alone. Afraid. The last survivor.
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See what I mean? Sometimes fish really could use some therapy.
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Or a friend.
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22 comments:

Carletta said...

Loved the humor in your post.
The sereneness of the blue makes watching that little guy even more relaxing I bet!

Leora said...

Wonderful blues in your photo. I love orange against blue.

I don't think your fish needs therapy. He's got you!

Last survivor? Oh, dear.

Jill said...

I too love looking at fish... though I find them more difficult to take care of than my overly annoying, albeit lovable dog.

I spend more money on "dead" fish... of course, they don't start off that way. :)

Beautiful photo... one day you must tell me your secret!

Dr.John said...

I am glad that looking at the fish relaxes you. All our ever did was irritate me. But then we had an aquarium and all the work that went with it. The kids loved the fish but never did the work.

Nancy said...

Yes, they are so relaxing to watch.

I have a Beta names "Puppy" ... he comes to me when it's feeding time. It's funny because I give him one pellet at a time (to keep bowl cleaner)and he waits between each pellet dropped ... like a dog!

Anonymous said...

Oh I do get entranced when there's a fish tank around.

Anonymous said...

I know how relaxing watching fish can be...I'll bet thought that they don't feel so relaxed when they see you watching them :-)

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

That's awesome.. and so unique!

Great photo as well!

Anonymous said...

I love fish too unfortunately I was left in charge of the aquarium in Junior High school and let's just say things didn't turn out so well for the fish.

Jenny said...

I love this photo.

I agree that watching fish is very relaxing. We have two in a bowl in our kitchen and the kids and I watch them throughout the day.

Bazza said...

yeah, i can go with that, watching fish is relaxing, I haven't decided what to do with this challenge yet, i must go away and think about it, and maybe watch some fish to help me!

Stephanie in Idaho said...

I used to have a fish on my desk, then I changed jobs and took it home. It died. It was a Beta, too!

Don't put a Beta in a bowl with another fishie - other fishie will die. Beta's are fighters.... But you might already know that.

Nice post. I agree with needing therapy. That's the hamsters in my daughters room. It is hilarious watching them chew on the bars of their cage when they haven't been out for the day to 'stretch their legs'... Not hilarious because I don't feel sorry for them, but somewhat hilarious anyway.... enough of that... I think I will get the hamsters out now... :)

Raven said...

Beautiful photo and your text made me laugh. Have to feel sorry for that poor little guy swimming around all alone. But maybe he's happy that way. Maybe he's really a loner, a mystic who finds solitude healing and helpful on his spiritual journey... or...

Cris said...

Oh thanks for the humor, this is a nice post to relax! :-)

Melissa said...

I don't know why, but I do sure find fish tanks relaxing.

Anndi said...

This summer we spent hours at the Georgia Aquarium and I sat in front of one of the big tanks and it was the most peaceful thing.

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

The colors in your picture are beautiful. Fish are definitely relaxing and peaceful to watch. Well, unless they're floating upside down, or fighting. But that's another post, right? Anyway, great shot and I love your humor! I think you and Mr Fish have a co-dependent therapy thing going on. :D

Mary-Laure said...

Lovely shot, and hilarious post (dumber then bread... really??)... Long live Mr Fish!

Jay @halftime lessons said...

;-)
We're all pulling for the fish...

Robert said...

I too love going to aquariums. I'd get one in the house but, 1) we have a cat that would torment the fishies, and 2) I don't want to clean it. Great photo of your lil zebra.

Shannon said...

You are too funny! I am a scuba diver and am absolutely mezmerized by under water life. I have never had a fish bowl though. May have to give that a try. Maybe it would calm my nerves as well:)

Anonymous said...

My son was given a goldfish as a party favor last year, and when we didn't succeed in killing him (no physical violence, of course, just little hopes that he'd go quietly), we brought him a friend and named them London and Kirschenbaum.

One of them died recently, and when we picked up a new one, we told our son that we'd brought the fish to the store for a checkup and were picking him up. Then the other old one died, and he was quietly replaced. A few weeks later, I heard my son complaining to someone that his fish had gotten smaller...