2002-01-31~~10:56 a.m.
Cordelia
It doesn't look good. Cordelia the Goldfish has been read her last rites. It all started yesterday. Maria thought she had killed yet another goldfish. She started with two on her birthday two months ago. Considering that, it is actually a small miracle that Cordelia has lasted this long. I looked in the bowl and Cordelia was, in fact, not moving, save for a small flutter of her dorsal fin. She was on the way out, to be sure. My theory is that her little air bubble bladder that helps her swim upright has been burst somehow. She keeps swimming upside down and sort of just floating along. Although, at first, I thought she was just lacking oxygen. Maria put some fresh water in her bowl in hopes of reviving Cordelia before it was too late. So I came home for lunch yesterday and I thought for sure she had passed. I didn't want to write a diary entry about it then, though, because I didn't want Maria to read it and cry at work after receving the dire news. So I set about making some soup for lunch, and when I looked over, there was Cordelia, swimming around like it was nobody's business! And by the time we both got home last night, Cordelia was seemingly her old self! It appears that goldfish sometimes have 9 lives...or maybe just 2 or 3, but who knew?! Maria was so thankful that she hadn't flushed Cordelia. And I agreed. If Cordelia was to cross over after all, it would be best to let her do it among the greenery and rocks that have been her home. There was a large celebration last night with Maria and I in the living room and a sort of ethnic dance of happiness for the gift of Cordelia's life. We were so impressed at the remission of Cordelia and we were positive that she was going to pull through. But this morning.... She is upside down and appears to have given up. Once in awhile, she flutters a fin, almost as if to wave goodbye. The outlook is grim. We would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Cordelia's soul. Any donations can be made to the American Fin Association in Cordelia's name. No flowers, please. May she float in peace. Cordelia, we hardly knew ye.
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