Best LFS trip ever! I’m super Happy!

On Thursday I went to my LFS mostly just to browse, I was in the process of deciding on stocking for my new 29. I was just checking out some species I had been thinking about, seeing what the specimens looked like, how active/interactive they were, etc. I went late, maybe an hour before they closed and a few of my favorite employees were there, 2 of them being seniors at the small business, the one of them the manager, so one step down under the owner. We started talking, I was asking a few questions about their experiences with fish and such, and that I was thinking about going into saltwater a little bit. We talked it through and I decided I would wait as I might or might not go away for college soon, I’m 15. They said they had been watching me for a few years, and had seen how much I had grown. Keep in mind I came into their store the first time a few years ago upgrading my betta from a 2.5 gal to a 10. She said she was so happy to see how much I had grown and asked me to fill out an application as they were hiring! I asked to volunteer there when I was in middle school but got no response, but the manager asked me so I think I have a pretty good shot! I already have a job, and being 15 in my state I can’t have 2. My current job is doing wedding gown alterations, but since I work for a family friend I could possibly work not registered more casually as help. The dress shop isn’t open on weekends so I wasn’t able to go in during school year except breaks anyways. My LFS is open weekdays and weekends, so I would have the opportunity to work during normal school weeks. I am so hopeful that this works out! Oddly, I recognized someone at the LFS who worked there that I thought looked familiar, but it was dismissed by other people who knew who I was thinking of. It turned out I was right, one of the employees at my LFS was a big bully of me in middle school! Knowing what grade I was in then he must of been 12 years old, and now he’s a junior in high school and I’m a sophomore so hopefully stuff will be different. Working together would be interesting, funny thinking we might become friends going to the same high school, working the same job, and sharing the same passion for fish!

Also! I was there trying to narrow down a stocking plan, as the tank was set up but uncycled. I saw a fish there I had been thinking about but could only find online, in one pattern, for an outrageous price. It was a……………………….. Giant Betta! Beautiful all blue male. I got him, and was able to switch over my other fish from my 10 gallon as well as the filter and wood from it, so cycling should be pretty easy. I have a liquid test kit and everything. I am super happy, he was only $15.99 as a plakat male all blue giant betta! He’s in a breeder net right now, and hasn’t flared at another fish in the tank at all, he seems unbothered, which I’m so happy about!

On that same day something else totally not fish related but still awesome happened. I found out that my service dog was born!!!!!!
Pictures of the fish and the dog because I’m just so excited!




I’ll get some better pics of him from a better angle once he’s in the tank with the community



And the dogs!






I’m just sharing my happiness right now, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten a boost. Thanks for checking it out!

 

Oh congrats! He is a very cool betta for sure. How long until you actually will get your service dog?

 

Seriously what a gorgeous betta!

 

Thats a great home for the betta, i'm sick of seeing them in glass jars. Congrats and good luck with the new job.

 

I'm so excited for you, and just kept getting more excited as I kept reading! I have grandchildren who are 17, 14, 13, 11, 8 and 6. The 17 year old boy has been working since he was 14 officially, but took jobs helping with lawn mowing and landscaping since he was 12. He's so motived, more than any of the others, not sure about the younger ones yet. But if I was able to jump on to a table and scream for you without hurting myself, I'd do it - I'm so HAPPY for you! (And I could sure use some alterations done, btw - I've lost some weight this year! LOL) This sounds like your dream job, working in a fish store. There was a boy at the one I used to go to, he went into that place about every week since he was 8 and they hired him at 15. He was 17 and was more helpful to me than anyone else there including the owner. Unfortunately for me, the owner stopped caring about the store as much or about her customers, I got sick of buying sick fish and never went back. Now I need some frozen foods and will go in one of these days just for that to stock up. I'll see if the store is being run any better now. I feel bad because I loved that place and they used to treat me right.

Will your dog be male or female? My gosh those pups and their momma are precious! I'm sure one will have the personality to suit your needs.

Oh, and to work with someone who bullied you... ahem! That boy better have grown up and learned a thing or two! I pray it all goes well and you do find a friend in him after all. Stranger things have happened! God bless!

 

Thanks everyone for sharing my happiness! It will be 9-12 months until the dog moves in with me, and another yea and a half after that until it will have been in training log enough to be certified to do things like go to work or a store with me. My puppy will be one of the girls.
Marlene327 - Thank you for your kind words! I looked at your info and saw you are in PA, if you were closer I would say to check out my LFS, hope yours is better. I don’t even know if the boy will recognize me, I looked very different as a 10 year old, and now we wear masks everywhere. Nonetheless I am a lot better at dealing with mean people now. Back a few years ago I would just yell at them and cry, I don’t think it will be a problem now. I am really hopeful that this job will work out! Thanks for getting excited with me!

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing along the way, so many of us care! <3