mlinden84

I was at Walmart yesterday picking up some medicine for my daughter and of course I had to check out the bettas. There was this poor little guy with dropsy. I haggled with an employee telling her that it was going to die from this awful disease and that she should give him to me. Strangely enough, she did! I think she realized that none of the others looked like he did, so something must be wrong.
So I took him home and got him into the hospital tank. He clearly isn't feeling well, but I think that the clean warm water is better than that awful cup. I don't expect him to make it, but I couldn't stand the thought of him suffering then dying in the cup.
I feel good for taking him home, but I also feel like I'm setting myself up to get hurt when he eventually passes.
Have I officially lost it?

capekate

g'morning Mlinden..
That was a very kind and considerate thing that you have done for that Betta. You are not loosing it! Just think how thankful that Betta is, to be in a warm tank and getting the love and attention from you. No matter how long he survives, he is out of that cup and has a chance now. Who knows? with the care from you, he just may make it!
I wish him and you the best....

Bede

No, I don't think you've lost it at all. I think that is an amazingly kind-hearted thing that you are doing. Even if he doesn't make it, at least he had a bit of a life outside of a cup.

All I ever hear (in my real life off the boards) is "Its only a fish." I HATE that. It might be just a fish, but it is still a living, breathing creature that is totally dependent on us humans to take care of it. Was it Ghandi that said something to the effect of "You can tell alot about a nation by the way it treats its animals".

Good luck with your new little sicky boy. We'll all be pulling for him

mlinden84

It would be awesome if he did make it. Though I'm not getting my hopes too high.
My boyfriend isn't too happy with me I am leaving for my parents cabin in Minnesota tomorrow for a week... which leaves him to take care of all the fish (including the new sick betta). Luckily he is just as fish crazed as I am, but he's still not thrilled about taking care of a sick one.

I need to name the poor little guy. He's a red/purple color from what I can tell (his color was a pastel color in the store, but it's gotten a little darker now that I have gotten him into a warm tank with clean water) Can't have a betta without a name, right?

Martinismommy

Awwwwwwwww poor little fellow.....I sure hopes he makes it....Remember never underestimate the impossible.....Miracles happen.....I'm sending healing vibes your way...

sirdarksol

I've thought about doing this, myself. If you can find a fish-store employee (or better, manager) with any knowledge of fish, you could end up getting for free the bettas that are going to die without massive help. If you put it in terms of "I could get this betta for free, and then buy fifteen dollars worth of extra care supplies, or I could get one of the healthy bettas, pay $3, and I have enough supplies at home to care for a healthy betta for months," it will get through to the money-minded folks, as well.
I just don't have the time or money for it. My rescues are going to have to remain in the form of cats.

Allie

They gave you him for free, that's cool. At least he won't end up dying there. I think it's great, but yes you are setting yourself up. Fir a good cause tho.

mlinden84

He's still hanging in there. My daughter named him Happy. Seems like it fits We are leaving this morning to go up to my parents cabin in northern MN; we will be gone until the 27th. My boyfriend promises to take good care of him. I'm hoping we'll come back and he'll be a happy healthy betta. I'll keep you informed on what happens!

Lucy

Awwww. you did a wonderful thing. Getting Happy out of the cup and into nice warm water.
I sure hope he makes it, but even if he doesn't you know you've made him more comfortable.

Barbrella

Awwwww, that's very kind of you, and very understandable!

I too brought home a sick little female. I just couldn't bear it that a filthy cup was all she would know in her life.

She did die a week or so later, but at least she had warm clean water, soft plants to lie on and someone who cared. I was very upset, but not sorry I got her.

COBettaCouple

Nah, you're not crazy. A couple times I've taken home a Betta that had no chance of making it, just so the little guy would have a decent home to pass in.. and it really was hard losing them, but I just couldn't let them die in the cups - they deserved better and at least they were in decent tanks and had company in their last hours.
Naturally, the petco manager wouldn't even discount a dying betta though. That was our first 'seriously sick rescue'.

I hope your little guy defies the odds and pulls through, but no matter what - because of you, he'll know what a good life is and what it's liked to be loved. I love what you did for him, because it's not easy to do.

nmwierman1977

I agree with everyone here. You did an absolute wonderful thing for this sick Betta and I know he appreciates you for it. I love that your daughter named him happy too because I'm sure that even though he's sick he's happy to be in this tank with nice warm water. Natalie

voiceless_kat

Great Save...........ya know, I bought my second betta the same way ( except I had to pay) It was Storm and he was so sick. Man I babied him along, and after one week he started to eat and just came to life. I don't klnow if you were on the board. I loved that betta, his will to live was the most amazing thing. He ended up passing after almost a year, and was beset with ills. But he grew his fins to perfection, and was a beautiful boy who gave me so much pleasure. I called him my "learning betta". I have attached a pic of him about a month after I brought him home half dead.

Keep the faith, Happy may surprise you, and it will be the best feeling ever. And if he doesn't make it, remember that you saved him from an ugly death and respected his life enough to try to nurse him and show him love and comfort for his final days. I wish you best of luck. Remember - "It is better to have loved and lost".

You are surely earning tons of karma!! Way to go!! Yay!

Val

Attached Images

STORM'S A BEAUTY BOY.jpg (171.5 KB, 5 views)

mlinden84

We got back early tonight from the cabin and found out that Happy was still alive, though not doing very well. I was thrilled! Then about an hour ago he started going downhill and passed away shortly after that. I am sad, but I know he had a nice clean home and he wasn't alone when he died.

shellbell4ever

aww so sorry to hear he passed...I was rooting for him,But like everyone else stated you did a wonderful thing getting him out of that awful cup and letting him know someone cared At least he passed knowing someone loved him.

COBettaCouple

Thank you for making the end of his life filled with love. I think he really was happy to have held on as long as he did and I'm sorry that he didn't make it.

Lucy

Oh, I'm so sorry you lost the little guy. You tried, and that's what counts.
You are a good betta mommy and Happy knew love before he passed.

voiceless_kat

I am saddened to learn that Happy passed and am sending hugs to you. Know that so many of us grieve with you. That was such a kindness, and knowing you did give him a bit of time with a "family" should warm your heart!

There are a whole recent crew of those little betta angels up there raising all kinds of trouble and naughtiness.

Group hug!!