They don't require much care, the guards could handle feeding them while we were gone this summer, and sure don't require a vacuum cleaner for all of the hair or an electronic fence to keep him away from the deer, rabbits or stray chickens.
We were asked to also babysit two other fish over the summer while our friends were state-side. No problem! We'd be happy to!
Right before we left for our cruise, we instructed the guards on how much food to give, how often and we crossed our fingers that the water wouldn't get TOO nasty before we returned.
The night we got back, the poor fish were struggling to swim in the murky, green and clouded water. A quick trip to the kitchen sink, a rinse of the shells and colorful rocks, a long refill of the water tank and all four fish were happy again.
Right before we left for our trip to Hong Kong, we again instructed the guards on how much food to give, how often and again - crossed our fingers.
This time though, right before we rolled the suitcases out to the car, Husb suggested we add just a bit more water. I shrugged, and quite weary of having just packed a family of five for a trip that had rain forecasted for the entire trip, said "if you want to, go ahead."
He grabbed an almost empty water bottle from the counter, filled it up and as he was dumping the last of the water into the fish bowl, said "um ... this smells like grape?"
Oops. Terran had apparently used that bottle to add some Grape Propel powder from Ellen and it didn't get rinsed out properly.
Again, I shrugged my shoulders and said "they'll be FINE ... if fish can survive in the Ganges river, they will be FINE in THAT.
The morning after we got home, while I was still sleeping, Husb quietly disposed of one floater that hadn't taken so well to the grape-flavored recipe. The kids weren't too broken hearted ... after all, they are just fish.
Later that day, Husb paid said guards for their caretaking of the fish and added lightly "... even though there's dead fish involved."
Apparently, the silence and awkward looks were noticeable. Kushal finally responded "Sir, how did you know?"
Husb :: What do you mean, how did I know?
Kushal :: How did you KNOW?
Husb :: Because it died.
Kushal :: How did you KNOW that it died?
Husb :: Because I threw it out.
Kushal :: I don't understand. The fish were replaced.
Husb :: What do you mean, the fish were replaced?
Kushal :: While you were gone ...
Husb :: You mean, a fish died while we were gone?
Kushal :: Yes - both of them died.
Husb :: Whose fish are in our tank?
Kushal :: Sanjeev didn't want the children to be upset, so he went and bought two fish that looked just like the two dead ones.
Husb :: So you're telling me that three fish have died?
Kushal :: ANOTHER fish died?
Needless to say, we appreciate the efforts of everyone to "do the needful" to make sure our re-entry to home life was remiss of any drama ... but it ends up being a pretty funny story!
It has since been decided that when our friends return to Delhi, they are getting the two remaining fish (although who can tell if either of them are the originals)!
Our stint as fish owners is now complete and over.
