R.I.P. Ramona my betta fish

I took a couple days of contemplation before sitting down to write this entry. On Saturday, I came home from work to find my beautiful 2 year old betta, Ramona, floating on her side on the top of the tank. I gasped, of course, and upon closer inspection I pronounced her dead. Estimated time of death 6:30 AM.

Remembering Ramona will always put a smile on my face. While she came from humble beginnings (the neighborhood Petsmart and a 2 cup plastic bowl) she rose to great heights - literally. Ramona spent most of her days atop a bookshelf or counter top in a luxurious two gallon tank, complete with LED light and filter. She swam playfully through her fake rocks and Greecian columns. It was very important to her to connect with me and, therefore, with my roots. She always greeted me with a cute fish smile and fluttering side fins. I can see her now - swimming up towards my waiting fingers, fluttering away while I drop little betta pellets into her water.

Ramona was perseverant. She survived two moves across town to different apartments, and many, many taps on her bowl. Ramona was brave. She lived with, not just one, but two cats and a dog; all of whoom inspected her closely on more than one occasion. But Ramona did not falter in her bubbles. No, she did not hide. She did not stop fluttering.

H and I held a memorial service in Ramona's honor. We gathered the family (not an easy task) and each said some kind words, remembering Ramona and the happiness she brought to us. In the background, The Beatles sang "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" as Ramona's spirit drifted up to the big ocean in the sky. Then, while Coldplay reassured us the "Everything's Not Lost," we processed into the bathroom where H did the flushing honors.

It was a closed lid memorial. Please send any gifts to the betta support fund of Texas.