Hey Pet Parents & Pet Lovers,
This is not the post that I wanted to be writing today, however, today on January 7, 2019, we lost a dear member of our family.
My partner always made fun of me when I got emotional when talking about how hard it would be to lose Blub, but I think tonight he truly understands how much Blub was part of our family.
It may sound stupid to say, but Blub was a fighter. As sad I am, I just chuckled at how silly that is to say since he’s literally a “fighter fish.” Glad I could find something to laugh and smile about at this time.
Blub was my 3rd pet, my first being Walker and second being Beau. Blub, however, was the first pet my partner and I adopted together, which made him extremely special to me. I don’t think I’ve actually ever told my partner that Blub was special to me for that reason.
I remember being so excited to pick our first pet together. We had looked at dozens of other Betta Fish, buy my partner loved Blub so we brought him home. I let my partner name him, in hopes of him bonding with our new fish friend and he chose Blub after the sound fish make while blowing bubbles. Little did I know that it was a name that really suited him since he constantly blew bubbles, showing he was happy and healthy. And it’s that moment that I start to cry again, knowing that my little guy isn’t blowing bubbles anymore.
Beau quickly became friends with Blub, sleeping next to him every night and meowing at me whenever they were separated for too long. He never really bothered Blub, he just watched him for hours and surprisingly Blub helped Beau with his Pica since Beau was entertained for the majority of the day. When we moved and Blub was separated from Beau, we didn’t realize how much he had missed his brother. As soon as he saw him he went crazy and was so excited to see his brother again, it truly made my heart melt.
As I mentioned, Blub was resilient. He was a fish that took a numerous amount of beatings as I learned how to properly take care of Bettas. He was a fish that piqued my interest in knowledge about how to properly take care of Betta Fish and go above and beyond what the training I had received at the pet store taught me. Blub went through some hardship this year, experiencing Popeye, which I had never been warned about. But as soon as I noticed something was different about him, my love for him made me research all of the illnesses Bettas can get and quickly saved his life, but he was the one who kept on fighting.
A few days before Christmas I admitted to you that Blub wasn’t doing well, I had kept it a secret because I was too emotional about it. I felt like a terrible pet parent who couldn’t take care of the pets he loved. I had written so many pieces about what to do in situations like mine, but nothing was working. It was clear that Blub wasn’t dying because sick, but because he was getting too tired/old to keep fighting, but I couldn’t admit it. And cue the crying again.
Blub didn’t stop fighting until today. He kept trying to get to the top of the tank to eat his food, when he had the energy he tried to swim to the front of the tank to say hello to me, and I can’t tell you how devastated I was to wake up yesterday morning to see him wrapped up in a ball, upside-down hardly moving.
I called my partner and let him know that I thought yesterday was going to be the day and I was right.
Blub really struggled near the end. When he heard me come close to his tank you could tell he was really trying to get himself into an upright position. I knew he wasn’t going to be able to eat, but I still put some food into his tank, just in case by some miracle he could make it, but today wasn’t the day for that.
He’s lost all of his colour and that’s what makes me the saddest. Blub was always so bright and beautiful and it just didn’t seem right to see him so white and pale.
But this morning we’re giving Blub his warrior salute. We’re so grateful to have had you in our lives Blub. Thanks for sticking around for the years you have. I’m so glad you stuck around with us this long.
I do take comfort in some words of advice my sister gave me yesterday. They went along the lines of “sometimes you do everything right, but it’s still time for them to go.” I hope he felt that way. I hope he felt loved and knew that I was fighting for him as much as he was fighting for his life.
I’m so sorry for such a depressing piece, I just don’t know how else to mourn Blub and also honour him.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for letting me share Blub’s life with you.
Somehow, though I read this and sent you an email…I forgot to comment here…sigh…
We send comforting thoughts and purrs and soft aroos as you are so missing your dear Blub. Its so hard to have to part with our good friends, be they furry or not. And besides that, not only are they friends, they are family which because they are loved makes it hurt even more…
((((( ♥ )))))
Absolutely no problems Ingrid. We always appreciate your love and support and send it right back to you <3
Sending warm hugs your way.
Thank you Vicky, I really appreciate it <3
So sorry about Blub. Will you get another fish.?
My partner and I have discussed holding off of adopting another fish anytime soon. We’re going to focus on the little ones we do have before introducing another little one into the family. There’s no saying what the future will hold for us. We do have dreams of having a large tank with multiple fish.
I am so sorry about Blub. XO
<3
That is so very sad. Love and hugs from all of us, we understand.
Thank you for your thoughts Brian. I appreciate it. <3
We are so very sorry to learn Blub has crossed the Bridge. He was a beautiful little fishie whose presence in your lives brightened everything. Purrs to you at this sad time.
Thank you friends. I really appreciate that <3
So sorry for your loss. It’s always hard to lose a pet, no matter what the species. I have known fish who respond to people. They are not the mindless things everyone thinks they are. Take care, it will get better.
I completely agree. It’s kind of crazy how little people expect from fish or small mammals. They’re super loving and while I admit they are harder to bond with… it’s definitely possible! Thank you for your kind word, Melissa.
We are so sorry to hear about Blub. Sending you comforting purrs.
Thank you Island cats, I really appreciate it.
We’re so sorry for the loss of Blub. We learned to enjoy Betta fish’s company thanks to you and him. We send you comforting purrs and gentle headbonks. Purrs
Thank you Swiss Cats. I’m glad i could bring some more awareness of Bettas to you <3
I am so sorry that Angel Blub’s time was due. Our pets are our friends, after all, and it hurts when we cannot make it right.
<3 Agreed. <3 Thank you for the condolences Eastside Cats <3
no apologies needed about a “depressing” post….we thank you for sharing Blub’s
life with us and we want to say we are sorry; and you are not a terrible pet parent; quite the opposite in fact. We ALL have that “guilt” when one of our family members die, woulda coulda shoulda why how what if….there’s no guarantees on any living being; God alone chooses the date and time from the moment all are born ~~~~~~ it sucks, it’s sad and the problem is, you have to go
through the sadness, to get past it……shout out in an email if you want; we’ ll be there ~~~~~~~~ hugs ♥♥♥
Tabbies, I appreciate that so much. Thank you for being such amazing friends. <3