A couple of weeks ago, Tony suffered his first major boo-boo, hitting his head and requiring two staples to close the opening.
It all happened right in front of my eyes, and while I was holding his hand to help him climb down a set of stairs safely.
Even though it was an accident, I still felt horrible since he was in my care and I was helping him down the steps.
So, the next morning, I went to my local pet store and returned home with a Betta fish for him.
Now, this is not the first time Tony received a fish as a gift. Uncle CJ got him a Betta fish for his second birthday, but it lasted maybe one week.
I knew going in that this would be a quick life for the fish, but I figured let’s give it another try.
Tony quickly named the fish Joey, after a turtle in his favorite show, Paw Patrol.
Tony would help me clean the bowl every other day, feed Joey and even talk to him through the glass.
Well, about three weeks after joining our family, I found Joey dead in the water one morning before Tony woke up. I quickly scooped him out of the bowl and unceremoniously flushed him down the toilet.
Joey now sleeps with the fishes, or in our septic tank.
Tony did not notice Joey was missing that morning. Tony did not notice Joey was missing that week. Tony did not notice Joey was missing until yesterday.
He went into the kitchen, opened the fridge door, turned to the counter, and said, “Where is Joey? I miss him.”
I told Tony to go sit on the steps because we needed to talk.
I simply told him, “Tony, Joey is up in heaven with Poppa.”
I thought that would be an ok explanation. Tony proceeded to break down in tears and tell me how much he missed him and how he couldn’t see him.
About one week before Joey died, we went to a pet store so Tony could buy something to put in the bowl. After telling him Joey was gone, Tony said, “But, I bought him the treasure chest for his bowl.”
Heartbreaking isn’t it?
Upon telling mommy of this ordeal, her response was to buy him a second dog. I said we should get him another fish, which seemed like a reasonable replacement. But, you know how mommy’s get when their boys are upset.
Trust me, we will not be getting a second dog anytime soon.
Tony has yet to ask today where Joey is, but he made sure he told Nonna and Aunt MeMe about it yesterday.
Image credit: petziti.com
