The "what's On Your Mind?" Thread -2019

kashmir64 said:

I'm with you on most animals. However, most people don't realize that almost all aquarium fish are wild caught. One reason I get so angry when I see a Betta in a little viewing dish. Or Goldfish in a bowl. I wish people would just do research and learn to take care of them properly.

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ABSOLUTELY DITTO ON THAT, kashmir64 . Cage birds as well. Huge numbers die so that some people can have a bird in a cage in a room. How diabolically cruel, IMHO! We have huge flocks of conures all over CA. They are descendants and survivors of the cage bird trade. Same with the fish, especially the bettas. I started my goldfish experience when someone was going to "flush" one. The manager had it down in the basement in a plastic bowl filled with tap water. I spent a fortune on that little guy, got him friends ("feeder" fish from the "pet" store) and none of them survived. Then there was the cichlid that someone was also going to flush. I took him. My folks had a pretty large aquarium with ornamental goldfish at the time. I asked if they'd take Sebastian. They said yes. I didn't know a thing about cichlids. If you do, then you know what happened. Sebastian eventually grew to be about 6" long and he had a glass between him and the surviving goldfish. He lived quite awhile, all alone, ramming his head against the glass in a futile attempt to get at the goldfish, who were probably terrified of him.
Never again, for me, on fish. They're beautiful. But they don't belong in these artificial environments IMHO, just so humans can admire them.

I had a betta named Loki in college because I wanted a pet and fish were one of the few allowed in the dorms. I cleaned his tank every week and loved him a lot, but while it was bigger than some of what I see in the pet stores now, it was probably too small.

He had cancer and died of shock/heart attack when I read I could alleviate his pain by making his water warmer (I think I did it too fast). I buried him by putting him in an origami boat and setting him off on a local pond - which was covered in a lot of ice because it was February.

There's so much I'm sure I could have done better, but I hope he knows I tried my best.

Lari said:

I had a betta named Loki in college because I wanted a pet and fish were one of the few allowed in the dorms. I cleaned his tank every week and loved him a lot, but while it was bigger than some of what I see in the pet stores now, it was probably too small.

He had cancer and died of shock/heart attack when I read I could alleviate his pain by making his water warmer (I think I did it too fast). I buried him by putting him in an origami boat and setting him off on a local pond - which was covered in a lot of ice because it was February.

There's so much I'm sure I could have done better, but I hope he knows I tried my best.

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My son is the fish person. But a lone Betta will do well in a 2.5 gallon tank, as long as it's cared for. And you were correct about the warm water. Ours are at around 82°.

My son has his male Betta in a 10 gallon with some Tetras and Glofish. He also has a separate 10 gallon (in my bathroom) with 5 female Betta's. Yes, they get along.

tarasgirl06 said:

They said yes. I didn't know a thing about cichlids. If you do, then you know what happened.

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How many did it kill?

Anyone know how bad this is? Should I be freaking out as much as I am?

Alicia88 said:

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Anyone know how bad this is? Should I be freaking out as much as I am?

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No idea how bad, but I'm sending healing thoughts to him.

Alicia88 said:

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Anyone know how bad this is? Should I be freaking out as much as I am?

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There is much they can do about a sodium drop. I would have been shocked if they didn’t put him in ICU just because he just went through a very tough surgery. They did the right precaution and can quickly attend to the drop there while watching him more closely than they could anywhere else in the hospital. It sounds like they are very conscientious and that’s all good. I would not panic. I know anytime they put someone in ICU we all freak out but it’s the easiest place to observe and monitor everything about him. That’s where you want him right now. Pain is something we want them to stop too. Another reason to put him in ICU. If they give him pain meds, he must be watched a little more. We’ll all be praying and sending any strength possible to Shane and family. You are all in my thoughts and heart.

Thank you. That makes me feel much better.

kashmir64 said:

I'm sorry about Oxgord. I got mine directly from CAL Ranch and only pulled the web address from the item itself.
It is a great price, but price itself is not always a good thing.

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Don't be. It's not your fault. Like @Willowy said, I wasn't in the market for one but ordered it as a backup. I got my refund so no harm done. Live and learn. Thanks for thinking of us.

kashmir64 said:

5' is still a baby. He's what, maybe 1 1/2 yrs?


Have you noticed how much Robert looks and acts like Steve? The more I see Robert, the more I miss Steve.

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Robert is just like Steve. I've seen him on The Tonight Show a few times. He looks like him, acts like him and sounds like him. He has that same infectious enthusiasm that Steve had.

Kudos to Terri on the great job she's done with both of their kids. Steve's watching over all of them with a great deal of pride.

Alicia88 said:

Thank you. That makes me feel much better.

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It’s hard not to worry when any loved one is sick, even harder with a child. I know. I have spent many months in the hospitals over the years. We began to look at hospitals as a good thing. We could relax when Sarah was sick because we knew that we weren’t watching over her alone. Thank goodness for caring people in hospitals! Please keep posting updates. I’ll be looking for them.

I had inquired via email when I might expect the playpen for my cats, I was told the order was still being processed, the next day I got an email saying it should go out within 24 hrs, today I got an email saying they are out of stock and they will refund my money, I will check in a few days to see if the money is back on my credit card. I must say that they have been very good about about replying to my emails almost immediately.

segelkatt said:

I had inquired via email when I might expect the playpen for my cats, I was told the order was still being processed, the next day I got an email saying it should go out within 24 hrs, today I got an email saying they are out of stock and they will refund my money, I will check in a few days to see if the money is back on my credit card. I must say that they have been very good about about replying to my emails almost immediately.

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All 4 colors are still showing in stock as of 6:10 AM EST today.

I just had an interesting encounter. I had to go to Rockler for some odds and ends to complete my latest project. On my way home, I pulled up behind a ratty-looking Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then I noticed it had a 'DV' plate from Michigan, and when the driver turned to someone in the right front seat, I saw that it was Dr. Pol, of the TV show. What he was doing in WNY, I have no idea, but there he was.

Probably here for Chautauqua Institution. When I worked there all sorts of folks would be there. One day Lawrence Stein was there; another day Alan Alda was the main speaker.

They have quite the lineup this year as well.

Lari said:

I had a betta named Loki in college because I wanted a pet and fish were one of the few allowed in the dorms. I cleaned his tank every week and loved him a lot, but while it was bigger than some of what I see in the pet stores now, it was probably too small.

He had cancer and died of shock/heart attack when I read I could alleviate his pain by making his water warmer (I think I did it too fast). I buried him by putting him in an origami boat and setting him off on a local pond - which was covered in a lot of ice because it was February.

There's so much I'm sure I could have done better, but I hope he knows I tried my best.

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I am certain he does know, Lari , as I believe that once a living being transitions/ascends, all becomes clear to them. Also, based on my spiritual learning, INTENTION is of greatest importance. Our Creator sees all and knows all, including what is in our hearts.

FflurCadwgawn said:

Probably here for Chautauqua Institution. When I worked there all sorts of folks would be there. One day Lawrence Stein was there; another day Alan Alda was the main speaker.

They have quite the lineup this year as well.

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We've been to Mayville several times. We've even taken a ride on the Chautauqua Belle, but we've never been to the Institute.

Alicia88 said:

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Anyone know how bad this is? Should I be freaking out as much as I am?

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Well...UNDIAGNOSED and UNTREATED, very bad. However, it was diagnosed and is being treated promptly. It is almost unheard of for a patient not to respond quickly and well to treatment. He's in good hands.

kashmir64 said:

Tractor Supply also has them. I've never dealt with either online site before.

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FurHaven Portable Pet Playpen at Tractor Supply Co.

I did note that even their XL size, more than 50", is only $32 bucks, which is excellent. While I've never used Tractor Supply myself, I live in a tiny town in a rural area, and I've heard excellent things about them on several occasions. I think I'll order from them when my next check comes in...a LITTLE too much for right now, but not for then! AND THEY HAVE THE DARK BLUE!

kashmir64 said:

My son is the fish person. But a lone Betta will do well in a 2.5 gallon tank, as long as it's cared for. And you were correct about the warm water. Ours are at around 82°.

My son has his male Betta in a 10 gallon with some Tetras and Glofish. He also has a separate 10 gallon (in my bathroom) with 5 female Betta's. Yes, they get along.


How many did it kill?

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kashmir64 Well, it was some years ago, so I can't even hazard a guess. Sebastian didn't kill them. He enucleated them.

Alicia88 Just reading your posts from Thursday now, for some reason. Know that my heartfelt *PRAYERS* for Shane and all of your family continue and are added to those of others.

His sodium is back up and he's doing better.