My new Addition

 

07.22.05 (12:15 am)   [edit]

Every afternoon this summer, I have driven 22 miles to my children's old elementary school. It is my job to clean up and close up after the 2 summer camp programs going on. PIA but keeps me a little income until I am back in the bus come August 15th.
Shortly after starting, I made a discovery one evening in a classroom I happened to walk into to tinkle. A fish tank with a slow gurgling air supply. I flip on the overheads and what do I find...An abandoned fish.
As I was checking her out, she seemed to be even more curious about me. I found what was left of a jar of fishy food and proceeded to feed Ms. Fish. Poor thing acted half starved. Being the animal lover I am, I made note of the room number to be sure to come visit every night and feed Ms. Fish in case no one else was.
This routine lasted for a couple weeks. It didn't seem that anyone had been in the room, and knowing that all the staff outside of camp have the summer off...poor Ms. Fish.
I was off work the end of last week for our Clearwater adventure, so Monday I was anxious to check up on Ms. Fish. What I discovered is that the daytime custodial staff had been into the room and stripped it in preparation for deep cleaning. In doing so, they had unplugged Ms. Fish's air supply. OMG how could they NOT see this 6" fish swimming around and think she could survive without freshly oxygenated water?? So after much contemplation, I found paper and left a very bold note. It read:
DO NOT shut off my air. I will die!!! signed The Fish
I return on Tuesday to find that someone can't read!! Or maybe just can't read Fish! and had once again unplugged the air. By now I am pissed. I know I know, it is only a fish. But what an inhumane way to treat an animal that has done nothing to harm anyone except be born into captivity.
After much ranting and raving, I am now a woman on a mission. I plot my course of action and go to work. I found an old igloo cooler stashed in the custodial kitchen and a plastic bin. I sneak back into Ms. Fish's room and proceed to fish nap her. Yep, I'm a criminal. Sue me!!
I slide Ms. Fish in her igloo home into the backseat and head for Wally World. An hour later and $50.oo poorer, I arrive home and set up the works.
I am now the proud RESPONSIBLE tender of a ___________ fish, I have named Kissylips. I decided on the name after leaning near the tank and having her come to the glass and *smooch* me with her big lips. She is cool as hell. She follows me when I am in the kitchen and near her tank. She swims to the surface when I open her lid. She looks at me with those big fishy eyes that say "Thank You for saving my scaly life"
I have no clue what kind of fish she is. Or if she is a she at all lol Here are some picks of Ms. Kissylips. If you happen to be able to identify her, I would appreciate a heads up so I can care for her properly.
I believe her to be a Cichlid. But not really for sure.
Isn't she cute??