Beta the Betta

Patrick has been having a difficult time lately. I'm not really sure what it is, but he's just been downright difficult. He doesn't listen, he talks back, and he just doesn't seem happy. Sometimes I worry that we've scarred the little dude with the addition of Maura and all of her baggage, but other times, I look at him and wonder what's really going on.

We expect him to act up when she has breakthrough seizures. It's normal. So this most recent attitude shift that came weeks after her last breakthrough, has rather thrown us for a loop. There really is no explanation for it besides the fact that he's three...

So today, we were out and about. There we stood in Petsmart with my friend Marla. The Betta Fish were so pretty. I know how low maintenance they are. Marla decided she would get one for Leo...how could I resist? This was a fish for just Patrick. He could pick whatever one he wanted. He could feed it, name it, watch it. It was going to be his fish....his very own first pet.

We left with the little Betta of his choosing. He's calling it Beta...can't think of a better name for it! That's fine. He adores it. He wants to move it's little tank wherever he is, which we have to limit. But he's been in better spirits.

I drove home wondering what had I done. What happens if this little guy kicks the bucket? Then what? Will I try to do the same thing my mom did? Swap in a replacement? (Yes, she really did...a finch at that!) or just let it run its course? We'll see...but in the meantime, Patrick has a new friend named Beta.