Temeraire, you were my first
betta, and subject to all of my mistakes, misconceptions, and general ignorance. But, through it all, you were happy and healthy.
You taught me so much about bettas, about fish, about life. When I moved into a strange, boring town for college, you were my comfort. I will never forget the day I went into that pet store, not knowing what I wanted in a fish. Then there was you. You, with your adorable little face and bedraggled-looking fins... you, with your warrior spirit.
Buying you instead of a
goldfish was the best decision I've made in a long time. You could brighten up my day when nothing else seemed to be going right. Through endless hours of chemistry homework, drama, and homesickness... you were there, ever the optimist.
You were only with me for a short while, about a year, but in that time you made my life that much better. I remember the time you scared the love of god into that glassfish, when you watched me eat the walmart chinese food, practically drooling, when you flared at the girl who you hated, when you'd take food from my fingers... and sometimes miss.
I remember how you liked to flare at anything you could, how you hated the color yellow and highlighters, how you liked to wedge yourself into the smallest possible openings.
There was never a day when your bubblenests didn't make me giggle, or your wiggly-swimming couldn't make me smile. Sometimes, feeding you and watching you be happy was the best part of my day.
They say bettas can't love, and maybe that's true. But you knew me from other people, and you at least wiggled at me for food. And so what if you couldn't love? I loved you, and that's what matters in life... having things you love.
I'll probably get another betta male, but they'll never be you, baby.
So here's to you, Temmers, my bloo boy, my pretty fishie, my study buddy, my fighter. Hope your life was better for having me as a mom, mine is surely better for having been mom to you.
He kind of had a reputation for being silly...