Pet story by Sagar Shah: Charlie and Lily

I was in 7th grade when I started liking fishes. I very often visited my neighbours and friends to see their aquarium and the variety of fishes they had. Born in a traditional Jain family I wasn’t allowed to raise fishes as they were against the religion. But one day with lot of courage I got a small bowl and a pair of goldfish, “Charlie and Lily”. To my surprise, my parents didn’t restrict me from raising them. I kept the bowl on my study desk where I spent most of my day. I gave them all the care they needed. 

Fishes are very beautiful. I used to spend time looking at them and it helped me in many ways. As a child, I had issues in focusing on studies, but Charlie and Lily helped me calm my mind which indeed bought positive result in academics. Fishes are endless when it comes to variety. It would take many years for one to understand their nature and type. Fishes are like humans some need comfort, and some can sustain in any environment. 

When I got Charlie and Lily home they survived only for a very short span. I didn’t have awareness of their survival nature. The feeling of losing them hit me hard. Since then, I started reading about fishes, their nature, their habits, their life span etc. I have become a fan of Marine life now. I have variety of fishes at home. I have tetras, guppies, bettas, etc. I enjoy their company. It reduces my stress and helps me focus on other activities. 

According to my life experience, I believe everyone should have a domestic pet at home. They come and change our life. They help us fighting anxiety, cleaning aquarium is very relaxing, Fishes make us more disciplined and most importantly pets in general show us a better world where we find loyalty and love. 

Someday, I want to have big house for myself where I can setup a home aquarium and raise some of the most beautiful and rare fishes of the world.