Update on our goldfish hospice

It has been commented~~and I have to agree~~that it is more fun to read (and definitely more fun to write) about issues~~ANY issues!~~other than politics. After my last blog, it became clear to me that political blogging is not the masochistic way I choose to get my kicks in the future and I will leave that to other bloggers. Now that we are several weeks post-Palin nomination, I feel crestfallen for the state of our nation. As my friend put it, it's like the homecoming dance all over again, where appearances reign and you don't even need an obligatory cause, like Miss America, to rule the roost. I would be far more excited about Palin if I felt she was actually thinking about the issues and interpreting them from a platform of knowledge and experience. Her dogmatic repetition of doctrine scares me.

So! Back to our goldfish! (Phew)

Last time I updated you all, Darth Fishee was providing hospice care to his tankmate Goldfish (I hesitate to say that its name, per our children, is Bethany Fishee, but because the fish is dying, "Goldfish" is fine for now) and Goldfish was contorting into a strange body shape and having a very tough time. Since then, the fish remarkably made a comeback, regained its swimming ability (while still having an apparent case of scoliosis) and has taken good care of itself for the last couple of weeks.

I admit, I have been watching with bated breath. Pardon the pun.

Two days ago, however, Goldfish began what just might have been the longest fish poop ever. It just went on and on. And then it broke off and another one started, and it occurred to me that probably this was the end...his or her little insides were starting to fail. The fish has been hanging out at the bottom of the tank, puckering its lips periodically. Just when I think I should euthanize the poor little thing, Darth Fishee steps up to the plate and boosts the sick fish up to the top so it can eat. I'm fairly certain this qualifies as "quality of life," but I certainly didn't expect to pay this close attention or care so much.

On a side note, I thought I'd share Wolfie's insight about gravity: "Fish who are alive have gravity, but fish who are not alive, don't have gravity."

Trying not to laugh.