You've gotta love a pet that only costs $0.49. And we do! World, meet Lyla, the newest member of the McClana-clan. You see, Sarah has been wanting a pet from the time she knew what one was. Knowing that we aren't quite ready to make a big commitment (say, to a mammal), we thought that a fish would be a good place to start. The basics are there--someone to interact with (sort of), the opportunity to learn rudimentary responsibility, etc. Sure, there's no snuggling or actual "playing," but still. It's better than nothing.
Big D. Daddy and I are both animal lovers. Cats, dogs, hamsters, it doesn't much matter. The topic of pets has come up with more urgency and frequency since Sarah began to approach the big 0-5. We want a "real" pet, but over the years, have grown complacent. It's a lot EASIER to live without a pet. I mean, we currently lead a fur-free, responsibility-free, lifestyle (Sarah can get her own milk out of the fridge now, so our work is basically done). But deep down, we know that the benefits outweigh the inconveniences.
So, we have Lyla. Sarah came up with the name days ago, when talk of the fish first started. She actually got Lyla's aquarium for her birthday on Tuesday, so she's had several days to warm up to the idea of pet ownership. And I'm happy to report that after four hours of living with us, Lyla is alive and well. Updates will follow as necessary.
In other semi-pet-related news, the box of gifts that Sarah scored for Christmas in Ohio finally arrived this week, and in it was Tisha (a gift from Sarah's grandparents). Observe:
I am not making this up. This...THING (for lack of a better term) actually comes complete with shoes, and its own carrying case. Can you believe it? It has a complete bag chock-a-block full of small plastic crap (hair brush, barrettes, dog collars) just waiting to get lost under the refrigerator and behind heavy furniture. (NB: Oh, sweet Jesus, how I hate little plastic components!!) Can you see what it says on the carrying case? "Tini Puppini." Are you f-ing KIDDING me? What the hell? Is this Italy's way of getting back at us for trying to re-create gellato here in the U.S.? Did the Pope have something to do with this? America always was a Godless place. And is it any wonder, with crap toys like this strewn about? Ugh. And Sarah doesn't even really LIKE the thing. Well, I take that back--she likes the shoes, which she promptly put on "Jimmie Kitty," her mostest-favoritest stuffed animal (an eerily life-like cat that she got years ago). Oh, and check this out! When I took a picture of "Tisha" with the flash, she got all evil on me! Can you feel the hatred and spite emanating off of this creature?
Christ. I will say this. Big D., Sarah and I DID make a trip to the Humane Society today to check out a cat named "Frank." Now, I'm not going to get anyone's hopes up, because I can think of about six dozen reasons why we don't need a REAL cat in this house--but oh my God! Frank absolutely ROCKED! Big, fat and mellow as hell. Just like I like 'em. Updates to follow. But for now, I've gotta run. Sarah's birthday party is here tomorrow, and I've gotta clean the bathroom. In all seriousness, if we didn't entertain as often as we do, our toilet would NEVER get cleaned. Scary thought. Scary Tisha. ACK! Welcome home, Lyla the Fish...welcome home.
I am crying.
Posted by: april | January 12, 2009 at 11:42 AM