A Sad Day

[pufferpuggirl]

I write this with tears in my eyes, and with a broken heart. Friday night, well technically Saturday morning (it was after midnight), I was horrified to find my biggest tank, the tank I keep BeeBoo in, was leaking. The entire floor was wet and getting wetter. You'd be amazed how much 2" of water out of a 143-gallon tank can be. I immediately unplugged all the electrics on that tank because I was afraid of electrocution and not just for me, but my dogs as well. My husband works nights, so he wasn't there to help. I was freaking out I don't mind admitting.

I later went back and plugged in just the air pump and heaters, so they would have some oxygen and the water would not get too cold.

My main concern was BeeBoo, even though there's several other fish in that tank. BeeBoo being so large, it was just a bad situation because I do not have another tank big enough for him to go into, nor did I have any container I could have transferred him to. So a very bad situation. I stayed up until 3am monitoring the leak, and it seemed to slow, so I thought I'd try and get some sleep in case worse things happened. I take medication at night and I had already taken my meds, so I wasn't at my best anyway.

Next morning I phoned up an LFS and asked if they could come and get BeeBoo, but the man explained that they would not be able to do that until Monday. So I got to thinking after I hung up with the LFS. Two things I didn't like. First of all, they would just take BeeBoo and resell him to anyone who has the money to buy him, and I didn't like that. Secondly, they do not give money, but only store credits for any fish you take to them. Money wasn't the main issue, but I figured if I had to get rid of BeeBoo, then it would be nice to have some cash, as our financial situation right now is horrible (but that's another story I won't get into).

So I put an advert onto a site that deals with fish and fish tanks and accessories. Thing is, I had tried to advertise BeeBoo on there before and only got inexperienced people who wanted to stick BeeBoo in tiny tanks or with the wrong tankmates. So I didn't have much faith that I would hear from anyone worthy of having BeeBoo. Now, I'm not going to push my faith or beliefs on anyone, but I know that God had everything to do with how things turned out.

A man that owns an LFS in Sheffield answered my advert, and I phoned him and we talked. First thing he assured me was that he would not be reselling the puffer, it was to be his "shop pet", and I asked him what size tank he would be going into and the man said a 5 x 2 x 2.5 tank, and that's only temporary, that BeeBoo would be going into a bigger tank at a later date. Well that tank is much larger than what BeeB's been in, so I was happy about that. I've dealt with this man many times before, as I buy fish food off him and he always treats me right. He came to the house and we talked and again he assured me that he would not be reselling BeeBoo and that made me very happy. The man is a bit older than myself, and he seemed rather wise, so that also made me happy. I just wanted BeeBoo to go to a good home, that was my main concern. And on top of everything, the man paid me a very reasonable amount for BeeBoo, so I felt it was a win-win situation. I know if I went into an LFS and tried to buy a puffer the size of BeeB, I'd be paying in excess of £200, I'm sure, but I felt that finding BeeBoo a good home with a caring person was more important than making money off him.

I cried and cried with BeeBoo being gone, especially when it came time for me to feed everyone because normally after I feed my Ceylons, I would turn around and there would be BeeBoo begging for his! Such a lovely puffer, and he will be dearly missed. I've vowed that I am not getting any more of the large puffers, no Fahakas or Mbu's for me again. It was a lovely experience having them, but until my financial situation changes, I cannot give them what they really need. I feel that the puffers I have are well taken care of and all have good homes. So I will just concentrate on them. The good thing about BeeBoo going to Sheffield is that I can go and visit him. I can also email the man and ask how he's doing. I don't think things could have turned out any better. I'm quite happy for my BeeBoo, now he's in a tank where he can swim a bit and hopefully will have lots of people coming to look at how beautiful he is (I believe he loves human attention).

But he will be very much missed, as I feel he was part of my family for sure.

[lesleyanndunn]

im soo sorry to hear about beeboo suzanne
but like you say, hes gone to a better home
where he can be looked after, and have the bigger tank
he really needs.
i hope you get to see him often, and he thrives
in the shop with the man.

its a hard decision to make.
and tho it breaks your heart
you feel better knowing that you
put beeboos interests first.
good luck with the puffers you have left. <3

[xrayjeeper83]

AWWW im sorry to read this. But as you said its for the best. Maybe down the road you can get him back

[JRC3]

That was extremely lucky to find a such a great place to re-home him.

I hope your leak is repairable and the tank can be used for some of your other wet pets.

I hope your recent bad luck is repairable too.

[Pufferpunk]

It sounds like the best thing for him. I'm glad you can visit!

[we_tigers]

I read your story and it seems like you did a very logical deed.
Someone gave your puff a good home, and you got a little something in return.
I know you must be sad, but IMO it worked out very well, because IME from being a part of this hobby;
when you are in a hurry, someone wants to take advantage of your urgency (to rip you off).

Just be glad, I know I would be.

But about your tank - I'd be swearing up a storm for weeks about it

[CarmenH]

I'm actually really glad how this turned out When I first saw "Sad Day" and you started talking about BeeBoo, I thought something horrible had happened to him! Turns out it was something that, although kind of sad right now, will be best for everyone in the long run... It'll take the pressure off of you to find a bigger tank when things are so tight, and you still get visitation privileges!

[Flutter]

Well said Carmen!

[lilacamy931]

Aw babes sorry you had to rehome him, but the person he has gone to sounds such a good thing and he will love everyone visiting him! Lots of hugs babes x

[pufferpuggirl]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. It is true, I know that BeeBoo going to a bigger tank was the right thing, and the man that took him seems like a very kind person.
I still miss BeeB, especially at feeding time, that tank just seems too empty and I hate to say it, but I just don't have the motivation that I had when I had BeeBoo. He was definitely my favourite puffer, full of personality and beauty.
I always said if I wasn't able to give him the right conditions that I would give him up, although that isn't what I wanted. We all know we rarely get what we want though.
I am trying to continue on with the same zest I used to have but I have to admit that losing my Baileyi, then giving up Obie, and now rehoming BeeBoo -- it's taken a toll on me.
Funny how someone can be so danged emotional about a fish!
But I appreciate all the support you good people have given me, thank you.

[Flutter]

Hang in there. Time will heal your wounds. You did the right thing for both of them, sad as it may be

[autophotos]

well done for getting him a new place. Although it being very sad im sure your other puffers will love the more attention they get now

[losertastictoaster]

I'm sorry to hear you had to give up such a lovely guy but at least you can visit him. I know what you mean about losing your puffer zest so to speak. With the loss of my one and only puffer fish I had a hard time even logging on, but things got better and now that I'm getting more money underfoot I think it's time to start again. It's hard losing a friend, especially one with as much personality as a puffer but just remember he's in a bigger home now and you can still visit him. I swear puffers recognize faces so who knows he may be just as happy to see you as you are to see him.

[Flutter]

How is BeeB doing? Have you been able to get updates or visit?