I think the title for this post pretty much sums it up.  It turns out that there is room for improvement when it comes to my role as a pet owner…

When my son turned one, Geoff thought it would be a great idea to get him a pet.  I was resistant, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to devote the time and attention necessary to the poor creature that was about to enter our household.  Given this, we opted for something “low maintenance,” aka fish.  In my mind, we would be purchasing a small bowl with a single goldfish.  He was to live a happy little existence, much like the fish in the Pinocchio movie.

Imagine my surprise when my husband brought home a 10-gallon tank, complete with plants, rocks, and a filtration system.

He assured me that all I would have to do is feed the fish.  He would take care of the rest.

Warning: When a man assures you that he is going to take care of a pet, it is similar to your child delivering the same statement.  Neither can be trusted.

Weeks later, as I sat staring at the murky water, which glowed green in the right light due to the rampant algae, I knew it was high time I accepted that the fish were my responsibility and I was going to be the one to clean the tank.  Two hours later and covered in green slime, I was beaming with pride at how sparkly clean the tank was.  It looked as good as new.

Sadly, the fish did not agree with their newly sanitized home; perhaps it was overly clean or the temperature was not quite right.  Whatever the case, when Geoff came home, I proudly showed him the clean tank and remarked at how much the fish must be loving their abode because even their color had started to change.

“Um, no Fran,” he said.  “Do you know what color shrimp are normally?”

Me: “No, not really.”

Geoff: “They are gray.  The fish I am looking at in this sparkly clean tank are pink.  Pink shrimp are cooked and ready to eat.  They are not alive and swimming happily.”

Me: “Whatever.  At least the damn tank is finally clean.”

Maybe this little story means I am a bad pet owner.  Maybe it means that I failed my children and husband miserably.  On the up side, it definitely qualifies me for the Flip camera that Scary Mommy is giving away as part of her Scary Mommy contest.  I mean, the sacrifice the fish made has to be worth something, right?

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If you would like to play along with Tribute Tuesday, tomorrow’s theme is your favorite vice.  Tell us what your guilty pleasure is.  Chocolate?  Romance novels?  QVC shopping?  Dish.

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