Monday, January 12, 2009

Goog Bye Old Friend

Last night after I tucked Riley into bed I asked Michael to go in and feed Nemo, Riley's fish.

Michael went into Riley's room and a few moments later I heard Riley crying. It wasn't his usual cry. This cry seemed more urgent.


I jumped up off the couch and ran into his room. When I got there I saw Michael with Riley in his arms. They were both looking at the fish bowl.


Nemo had died.


Riley got him for his birthday almost 3 years ago. His bowl stayed in Riley's room and Riley would talk to him from time to time.


I know it sounds strange, but Nemo was like part of the family. Anytime you went into Riley's room he'd swim over to the side of the bowl as if to see what was going on. If you got close enough sometimes he'd puff himself up to make himself look all big and bad.


Riley cried for a good solid 30 minutes last night. When his dad flushed him down the toilet Riley insisted on watching. When he sobbed, "Goodbye Nemo", I lost it.


I wasn't so much crying over the fish as I was crying because Riley was upset. I will miss him though.


8 comments:

Kelly said...

Oh, I totally get it Penny! Maddison loved her Betta fish too, she felt better knowing that the average Betta lives about 2-3 years.....so explaining that he lived a long and healthy life made her feel better. ((HUGS)) to Riley, he was surely a happy fish for having such a great boy!

Scott K. Johnson said...

Poor Riley!

Jill said...

Awwww :( Give Riley hugs from us!

George said...

Oh geez. What a bummer. Tell Riley I said, "I am sorry."

Lee Ann Thill said...

I'm so sorry! I don't know if Riley likes to draw, but doing a nice 'In Memory of' picture or a picture of Nemo in fish heaven can help. Even pets that aren't furry and snuggley can be loved from the bottom of one's heart, and it can hurt just as much when they die.

Penny Ratzlaff said...

Thanks guys. Riley was still pretty bummed about it yesterday.

When I got home from work yesterday I saw a little dry erase board Riley has.

On it he had drawn a picture of Nemo and a heart and had written "I love you Nemo. RIP" I almost cried again.

Major Bedhead said...

Poor Riley.

Peaches said...

I'm really sorry about nemo. my Betta fishes name is Riley! if he died, I would be really sad too. I love watching him swim around.