A Fish Called Zenny

I think that I shall never get, why someone makes a fish a pet. I mean really. Fish? Pet? Now before you start hurling judgment darts my way, let me say that I fully support the rights of ANYONE to have a fish as a pet. I may not understand how a fish can be a pet, but I don't have to. I have a dog as a pet and I'm sure that there are many people out there who don't understand that either - we politely excuse their incredible ignorance and stupidity by labeling them as "not a dog person". But what I do understand is that when you are asked to take care of someone's pet, you take that responsibility seriously. Such was the case with our next door neighbour. He and his girlfriend were going out of town for some R&R and asked us to watch their beloved goldfish Zenny. 2 feedings a day, no need to clean the water, will return in 2 days. Simple. Clean. Easy. But we're staying overnight in Mission, BC to celebrate Christmas Day and Boxing Day with a group of friends. "No worries at all", our neighbour re-assured us. "He'll be fine if you're gone 24 hours - just feed him before you leave and as soon as you get back".

So off to Mission we go. Lots of Christmas turkey was eaten. LOTS of Christmas cheer was consumed. Many smiles, laughter, and connections with friends were had. New friends were found. But the next morning on Boxing Day (that's the day after Christmas for my American readers), the snow was EVERYWHERE! Another serious dump of snow was in the process. The roads were getting worse and worse. Our first thoughts of course went to our safety - should we go home right now? Maybe we should stay another night. Will our car make it OK? We probably just need to stay put another night and visit with our dear friends. But then we were reminded of.......Zenny. We did have a committment to take care of the bugger but my God it's just a fish. If Zenny croaks, our neighbour can get another one - right? How attached REALLY can you get to a fish? But being raised well by our fine Southern mothers who instilled in both David and me a fierce sense of responsibility, we decided that for the sake of Zenny, we better head home. So back to Vancouver we went. The roads were TERRIBLE!! We passed several accidents, several emergency vehicles winding through the maze of cars. We talked about turning back (but how can we make it back up the hills leading back to our friends?). We talked of staying in a hotel along the way (but do they take pets? [our dog - a real pet]). Then I saw.....Zenny. Swimming around happily in his tank oblivious to the amount of sacrifice and potential danger we were exposing ourself to to make sure he sees another day in this world. So we toiled on. Navigating hills and ice spots and slow cars. Finally we made it home, gave Zenny his food, and settled in a for a relaxing evening at home.

Really - if it had not been for Zenny, we would have stayed in Mission another night without even batting an eye. But as I reflected on our scary two and a half hour journey home, I was reminded of several powerful things. That you really can do whatever you set your heart to. That even though others around you are screwing up and causing accidents (literally in our case), you can emerge safely through by being attentive and responsible on your own journey. That fear of circumstances or listening to what others say you should or shouldn't do can hinder and destroy your own path and possibilities. And that caring for a fish in a scary snowstorm sometimes is the most enlightening thing to do.