The Puffer Forum

Strike 3--good thing this isn't baseball...

*meant humorously, not as criticism

Well I just read this topic after a few days away and I'm trying to catch up. I read it all in one go, which I think sometimes gives a bit of perspective since there's no involvement in the heat of the moment.

Basically it boils down to two things:

1. When a fish is sick we, as it's owner, can get pretty stressed about it - the OP clearly had enough concern to come find a forum and ask some questions but when we're stressed over the health of a pet it can be easy to get a little defensive and things may sound worse than they really are intended. So, I don't think the OP was ignoring advice deliberately here. Too many people are getting lambasted for just asking questions; we all have to learn. If only LFS gave out free articles and things pre-purchase, but that's a pipe dream...
We've all made mistakes, and some of us have paid a price for that. Nobody is perfect and nobody is the perfect puffer owner. If someone doesn't answer your question, rephrasing it might help and rereading it to be sure it's not coming off as lecturing wouldn't hurt either.

2. It's easy to misread or misunderstand things on a forum/when they're written down. Trust me, I do this all the time and people do it with me all the time. I guess part of it is linguistic, part of it is cultural, part of it is that you have no idea what's going on in my life off-line and I don't know what's going on for you off-line either. It all works both ways. I see this happened right here, in this topic. Nearly everyone who replied cares very, very, much about the health and welfare of puffers and we have all seen so many sad stories which end badly that it's easy for people to assume the worst when someone doesn't appear to take advice on board. It doesn't mean that every person coming here isn't listening, though.

I guess what I'm saying is that I hope the OP continues to come here, post questions, receive advice, learn from mistakes like the rest of us, and maybe come to feel a part of the community because people here genuinely do care about their pet puffers and we should be mentoring, rather than lambasting, people.

groovitudedude wrote:

Pufferpunk wrote:Heh, it's pretty difficult to insult me & it takes a lot to get on probation around here.

Yeah, people get banned a lot more on other forums. I guess trolls just aren't into puffers

What's a troll??

Sad thread.

Im sorry for your loss..i truly know how that feels..

i also just read this whole thread at once...and im really shocked how things have simply blown out of proportion because if ppl took the time to double read ppls posts you will see which to which it is in response to.
im a newbie and joined this forum a few days ago tho i read alot of info from it...
i lost my puffers but before their death i seeked advice from here and got very quick responses,clear advice and alot of kind words and support..

people need to remember this forum of knowledge is FREE it doesnt cost u a penny! you get free impartial advice when u need it from experts in puffers! i dont know pufferpunk but if she owns the forum she is paying the costs to maintain the site for everyones benefit to care for puffers,on the way u may make friends who share your hobby.

i belive anyone who is going to attempt to take care of a living thing should do their research on how best to care for it..i would love a dog but dont have the time to take it for walks and i dont have a garden therefore i cant have one...

just becos a fish lives in water doesnt mean its not intelligent or as interactive as any other animal...its just convienient for us humans that the tank doesnt move and we dont have to put a collar around it and take it for walks lol..a fish should have the so called ideal space and environment becos really..u dont have to do that much compared to having a 4 legged friend.

i need to shut up now

people need to remember this forum of knowledge is FREE it doesnt cost u a penny! you get free impartial advice when u need it from experts in puffers! i dont know pufferpunk but if she owns the forum she is paying the costs to maintain the site for everyones benefit to care for puffers,on the way u may make friends who share your hobby.

I do cover any costs where we are short but we should be a self-supporting forum here. That's the purpose for the "Support" tab above. Go ahead & click on it everyone--I dare ya!

Don't dare me!

Double dare!!!

Ha ha, funny funny, but seriously, what's a troll??

Pufferpunk wrote:Double dare!!!

Too late!

Lil' Swimz$ wrote:Ha ha, funny funny, but seriously, what's a troll??

"a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional or disciplinary response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion." ~ from Wikipedia

Or in other words, a complete idiot.

Oooh. Hrmm...

Oh, and if I ever (and I say ever, because I'm none too good with a camera) I will donate all of the winnings.