So Murray has been with me (as my office pet, as if Tucker & Phoebe, who accompany me to the office on most workdays don't count, which of course they do) for a little over a month and a half, and honestly, this is not so much an update as it is an announcement that despite my inexperience with creatures of the finned variety, Murray is still kicking, er swimming, and appears to be thriving, not that I really have any idea. I admit to being a bit nervous in the beginning, despite all reports at how hardy bettas are, that I would care for him properly, and the first week or so I would experience a moment of apprehension as I entered my office, fearing the worst and always so relieved to find him alive and well.
The truth is ... Murray doesn't do much. His world is not large ... just however much water his 8 x 6 x 4 tank holds - I think about a gallon. Yet he does what he does with apparent enthusiasm, and I quite enjoy watching him swim around and am very happy to have him sharing space on my desk. He does just fine on weekends, and with the help of a little dissolvable fish cake, also made it just fine through the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend all on his own.
I don't know if I can go so far as to say I love Murray ... it's hard to bond too strongly with a creature who inhabits a whole other element ... but I do like him a lot and I'm glad to have him around. He's quite a soothing presence in a rather stressful environment and sometimes just watching him cruise around his tank is enough to relax me if I am getting worked up about something. One thing's for sure ... a Betta is a heck of a lot cheaper than Xanax.
If you are in need of calming yourself, I prescribe this short video of Murray being Murray.
You're welcome!
