Fishy. Fishy.

A few minutes after I published the entry about our house pets, I found Red Star lying on the his tank on one side. He died.

I was not devastated. I just had to re-live my failed attempts at taking care of an aquatic animal. My little boy, JG, was not sad but was quite scared - it was his first time to see a dead pet. And it did not help that our dinner that night was fish.

I went through a very short period of mourning while I tended to Red Star's vacated tank the next morning. I fixed the plants, cleaned the small cave, brushed the sides of the tank in and out thoroughly.

While I was at it, I realized that it was time to be serious about having a pet fish... thanks to my son's friend who gifted the fish, Red Star the fish and his therapeutic effect during my fish watching time.

That evening, we went to the Pet City in Bonifacio High Street. It has become my favorite store actually - very helpful and very patient to my endless questions and my piecemeal purchases.

We got five -- 3 Pink Danios and 2 Neon Tetras.

Aren't they cute?

And yes, I finally bought a tank filter.

When Red Star was around, I also found out that aquarium planting is relaxing. So I got myself into it. It does not take a lot - pruning and re-planting here and there. Sometimes, I re-position the plants and then, I think about the next plant to add into the small ecosystem.

The tank filter made the water quality even clearer -- I now have a nicer view of my pets and plants.

Extra Housemates.

I grew up with animals around. At one point, my parents' house had tons -- dogs, cats and chickens. Dogs, we had a lot until I grew up. My parents still have dogs until now. Then, there was the time when I attempted to take care of a few goldfish (they all died after two weeks), not to mention the snails I brought home from school (they all crawled away and got lost)! 

I have not seemed to outgrow pets. We did get one three years ago. Our yellow lab named Percy. Here he is now.

We got another dog two years later. This time a chihuahua. We named him Jake. Here he is the day I brought him home.

And now look. All grown up and playful as ever.

And then just recently, my boy got a gift from a classmate for the National Pet Awareness Day. He got a betta fish and named him Red Star.

He was in a fishbowl for a few days. Then, we upgraded his tank!

Red Star now has another companion - a snail named Garri.

I have been contemplating getting some more fish but my strong obsession about conserving electricity has been getting in the way. I know at some point my desire of seeing more fish in the tank will overcome me. Or perhaps, I will end up adopting birds instead.