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Goodbye, fish

October 9, 2007 at 11:08 PM

My coworker's goldfish was just found dead. I happened to have my violin with me at work today, so upon request by our HR manager, I took it out. She held the little creature in a net, and I played "Taps" as we led a stream of colleagues to the ladies' restroom, where we said some words of goodbye and flushed it down to fish heaven.

Rest in peace, fish.

A tiny flame snuffed.
I wish our fish would die so we could have a nice watery funeral. He's five years old already (a beta). Our animals live forever-- the guinea pig lived to be nine.
Must be pretty boring there if you're wishing your pets would die.
When I was nine, our family pet cat Tigger was hit by a car and killed. I played Taps for him on my violin after my father buried him in the backyard. It's a nice thing to do--even when you're older than nine.
I shall play Humoresque--twice--tonight, on this occasion. ;)
Haha! That's great use of a violin during the work day!
Then it's truly ironic that before reading your blog that I created a circle the answer workwheet where one of the incorrect choices for the definition of "bel canto" was "dead fish".
Jim, you didn't know that guinea pig. He was pure evil.

When our Yorkie died, we dug a grave in the woods, lined it with flowers and Southern magnolia leaves, and placed her (shrouded in a silk scarf) inside. Then one of the kids played a slow Bach movement on viola and we tossed in more flowers. Our labrador retriever let out a moan and tried to throw herself into the grave (truly.) Just so you don't think we're heartless.

The lab wasn't grieving. He figured he must be dead too. That's how dumb they are. I had one.
I am reading Karin's post again and again thinking I am missing something. But the inevitable truth seems to be. . . the fish was sent to where?

Ihnsouk

Jim, you have a point about the lab. My neighbors used to call her "the lawn potato." She was so dumb, we could not teach her to fetch. But she was smart enough to howl whenever anyone played double-stops.
That was, indeed, a great use of your violin at work.

When I first tried it, I was surprised at how good Taps sounds on the violin. Now I play it on appropriate (emotionally) occasions, and I think it communicates feelings very well.

Ihnsouk, all drains lead to the ocean.
You guys are funny! Jim, I can't believe you have a lab. What were you thinking?
Wow, I really didn't expect to see so many comments for this little post. Thanks, everyone. Yes, I was happy that I happened to have my violin at work (for a lunchtime makeup lesson) and could do that.
Karin, this is such a great story/image. (Don't know whether to chuckle now or bow my head in respect, tho!)
Heh, Terez. Well, we didn't either...we were laughing at ourselves as we were doing it, but there was actually something a little bit moving about our makeshift ceremony.
Karen...I meant to respond directly to your post as well. I didn't have that much attachment to this fish, obviously, but I think it's wonderful what you did for your pet cat who must have been a much larger part of your life. I hope that helped the little 9-year-old girl with some of her grief.
"actually something a little bit moving about our makeshift ceremony. "

The presence of music led you momentarily into the pre-cellular, molecular, vibrational, 5th level of consciousness, the soul, bringing you to the realization that all is one by virtue of a billion years of shared genetics, the very stuff of life itself - of course it was moving. But that glimpse doesn't survive when confronted by the symbol-based consciousness of modern society, which may chuckle it away because it's bothersome - unless one can recognize it for what it is. Ahem. No, really.

I have a lab. He's a genius. Id on't know what I'll do when he dies, since I've been stealing all my stories from him.
Emily, he is a lab? He really does look a lot smarter than all the labs I've met. He gives a bad name I'd say:)