Scaly Friends

Within a week of arriving Miss 13 was asking us if she could have a goldfish.

The answer has always been "not yet" there were a number of reasons.

1) We can't get you a pet, then expect someone else to care for it.  We don't have permanency in the future yet.
2) you can't even get your bedroom tidy without being reminded, how can we let another life depend on you!

Well she begged. Constantly. For a year.  Mr 31 finally caved.  Okay, you can have fish he said one day.

So the learning experience began.  I wonder why we didn't do it sooner?!

She has learnt so far:
1) Perseverance.  Ask enough and you will eventually get.
2) Budgetting.  She has had to compare prices and make decisions based on need vs want.
3) She has had to learn how to work to get what she wants.  She has taken out a $600 loan (okay yeah... a goldfish turned into two tropical tanks) which she pays back at $5 per meal cooked.  May chuck in the odd car clean too.
4) She has had to learn what ammonia is, how to measure it, and understand it's effects.
5) She has learnt about the PH scale, she has measured a range of levels, and had to add chemicals to lower or raise it according to results.  She has had to learn about acidic and alkaline levels.
6) She has had to learn what nitrate and nitrite are. She is going to be one step ahead of her peers at school.

It hasn't been easy. There are definite arguments when we remind we to feed/test the water/clean up after herself. Something she promised us would not be a problem. 

I have threatened to flush them all down the toilet ( I know, should never threaten something that can't be followed through on); to take them back to the pet shop; to give them away on face book (she would still have to pay them off; but so far... We haven't lost a fish. 

Well... That's not quite true. We had to take two back as one attached the other. We weren't keeping the bully (we aren't friends with bullies- yes we followed through on that life sentiment... Pet shop manager didn't quite know how to take that one.). The one that was attacked lost his tail- so he has had to go into long terms vet care. The pet shop bought him back as they sold us the bully with him. 

My confidence levels he made it through the vet are low.