28. June 2008 by admin.

Here’s a youtube of her - http://youtube.com/watch?v=ItDjDZGVatc

 Well, I thought for the sake of future use, I’ll document this part of betta life as well.  A few days ago I noticed that my female plakat (the mom of my first set of babies) wasn’t herself. She was staying on the bottom in a head down position kind of gasping a bit, but not trying to swim at all.

After searching for help to see what’s going on, a woman from an egroup I’m in started to help me. (thank you so much Sherry!!!)  Turns out my betta’s got dropsy.  She’s bloated and her scales are sticking out so she’s looking like a pinecone.

She was moved yesterday into a 2 gallon shallow bowl, the type they use to sell as turtle habitats. That bowl is in a larger tub of water to regulate the heat better. I’m keeping her right around 80 degrees F. She’s in there with a slow bubbler and a silk plant to keep her feeling hidden.

With Sherry’s advice (thank you again!) I got some Maracyn and Maracyn 2. I’ve kind of had to eye ball it with the meds as it’s a packet of powder that you put in ten gs of water. I’ve been disolving it in a cup of her tank water and then slowly drip the meds into her tank. So far so good. She’s still with us. I gave her the meds early last evening and then her second round this morning. It’s a 5 day treatment, then can be started for another 5 days. I’m hoping!

6/29 - Not much change, her dose for day three was this afternoon.  Then when I got home this evening, she’s looking worse off. she’s still in the same place and alive and swims when I look at her, but her scales are more so pineconey.  I don’t think that’s a good sign…*sigh*

6/30 - well after today’s treatment, I’ve noticed her much more lethargic, even more than before. I don’t think she’s got much longer:(

 7/1 - nope, she didn’t make it through the night. RIP my little girl.

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15. June 2008 by admin.

I know I’m writing about all this in the Orlando series, but here’s a few thoughts that have been spinning around. 

These Orcas are so amazing! Of course because of the world we live in they are “greening” the whole thing and brotherhood with the animals and things like that which of course I don’t get into much. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m totally against animal cruelty and for preserving nature, I just don’t go as far as save the whales kill the humans as some do.

But when you are actually in the presence of thse animals, it’s a different way of thinking totally. I mean most of you know that I’m hooked and addicted to fish (for those that don’t, 16 current tanks in the house totalling just over 300 gallons raising angelfish, bettas, fancy guppies, limias and habrosus and one very understanding husband!) and since I have this passion for everything water living, seeing these just amazes me! They are so huge and yes killers of the ocean with no natural preditors (so said the trainers), yet these people can ride them, hug them, pet them…I’m awed. Of course I know a lot can be done “through the stomach” and that they are feeding them with the fishes all the time, but still, wow. 

I know it’s all about the show and things, but when the guy gave a hug to the nose of that whale, I got emotional watching that. Of course I WANT TO BE THAT GUY! lol what I wouldn’t give to be able to be a Dr. Doolittle person and have communication with animals.

Course onthat subject, one which my mom and I have talked about in depth, I do think that it is possible that some people may have a “6th sense” so to say and can have a better understanding of what animals are saying and thinking. I know with our horses there’s times that we can tell their mood and thoughts so to speak just by studying their stance and eyes.

Maybe I’m a freak (shut up Seth!) but I think that when God first created man, He created man with a perfect body and brain meaning that they had 100% of their brain use instead of  our measly 10%. Maybe they could speak to the animals the way we do each other? Why not? Adam named all the animals, perhaps they told him their name???

I know that if I had to creat an XMen character, she’s be able to speak to animals and fly of course:)  Who knows, maybe when we get to heaven….

Got to go!
Later!

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13. June 2008 by admin.

My mom and I are face painters for the Charlotte Eagles Soccer team (yes it’s awesome)  but there’s something that we’ve noticed and I want to know why.  Before each game, and this is any sports related game, they sing the National Anthem.  Now come on, every American that I’ve ever known is taught in school and knows that you should face the flag and put your hand over your heart (except for those in uniform I found out) as a sign of respect for the flag.   Yet at these games, not only do I see a very small group that does this, even the players aren’t!  Now come on! I don’t get it. It saddens me to think that people don’t care enough anymore.  maybe that’s not what it is, but what else can I think? I realize that there’s this war going on and so many people are angry with the government about that and whatever, but that’s no reason not to repect the flag and country.

 I have more thoughts on this, but I’m tried and going to bed.  Comments anyone???

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