In contemplating a move from any location over the past several years, one of the most important—though usually last-minute—decisions I always must make is what to do with my pet fish.
When I moved to Fort Frances from Regina late last fall, I had to convince my best friend and his wife to purchase what amounted to more than $100 of supplies, including aquarium and various extras, to “save” about $12 worth of fish.
So, as the days quickly disappeared before my next move (for those of you who haven’t heard, I have taken a job in Alberta and today is my last day at the Times—sniff!), I began to worry that I hadn’t found a good home for my aquatic amigos.
I even had to contemplate they might have to take a swim down the whirlpool of the porcelain bowl so I could pack their aquarium.
But how could I do that to my five loyal finned friends who enjoyed chasing each other around the tank and watching hockey (except the Leafs, of course).
Luckily, about a week ago, a friend of mine whose children attend Alberton Central told me that her son’s class had been given an aquarium and had spent the beginning of the school year learning about fish.
They were in the process of populating their tank.
Eureka, I thought to myself. I could donate my fish to the class and spare them a ride in the spin cycle.
After a call to the school yesterday (as I said, usually a last-minute decision), arrangements were made to meet the class and give my gilled pals a new—and as it turns out bigger—home.
The class—a split Grade 1-3 mix—was ready for me. As I walked in the door, the excitement was bubbling from their faces. They wanted to see these fish, and to a lesser extent were shocked at the height (I’m over six feet tall) of their fish peddler.
The students eagerly described to me how they came to have a class aquarium.
Since the beginning of school, the students have been working on their class pet project. They determined at that point that they wanted a pet and settled on one “that wasn’t noisy.”
As it turned out, their teacher, Sharla MacKinnon, had been given an aquarium by her father and donated it to the class. She thought having fish would be easy, but the class learned very quickly that they’re a lot of work.
“We found out very soon a fish is a tough pet,” said MacKinnon.
For about a month after choosing fish as their class pet, the students read books, watched movies, and picked the brains of knowledgeable parents about how to care for fish.
“It took us that long to learn what we needed,” MacKinnon explained.
I was impressed already. Obviously these kids had done their homework (no pun intended).
Equally impressive, the project fit nicely with what they were learning in science about animals and habitat. And with the extensive research, they even got to hone their writing skills.
“All the research turned into a fish book,” noted MacKinnon.
That’s right, the students actually had written and illustrated a book—which they hurriedly put together when they heard I was coming.
The book has six different chapters, from an introduction of fish as pets to different types and the things you will need to keep fish as a pet. The book also explains proper handling techniques, how to feed fish, and how to keep their home clean.
These young authors have a book that could help any kid in the district start their own underwater playground for fish. I knew then that the students would be good guardians for my fish. They’d found a new—and better—home.
As for me, I can’t say I’ll be so lucky.
I, too, am moving to a bigger aquarium: Medicine Hat, Alta. But unlike my fish, who lived alone in their tank and now have over a dozen friends, I will lose a lot of friends.
I am leaving behind a community that has so warmly taken me in, shown me kindness, and become my friends. I will miss Fort Frances as I swim a new stream in the west.
Thanks for the memories.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
