While I was growing up, my only interest in fish was seafood. Who would know that a trip to the aquarium would get me interested in them as more than a culinary treat. Nowadays, I wouldn't dream of eating a fish, muscle, clam, or other sea creature. I just love them too much. The Monterey Bay aquarium, you see, is a really neat place for discovering the wonders of ocean life. When I drove down there on a family vacation, I was a little bit skeptical. I had always hated zoos, and I saw no reason why an aquarium would be any different. It was different, however. The fish were gorgeous and the exhibits were spacious and fascinating. They seemed happy and well taken care of – not like most of the zoo animals I had seen. It wasn't long before I started to crave a trip to the fish store. I had never had a pet before and never wanted one, but suddenly I was looking at fish for sale. I wanted sea creatures of my very own.
My parents made me save up money to pay for my pets. I found a cheap fish aquarium for sale, bought it and cleaned it out, and was ready to get going. At first, I had wanted to buy tropical fish for sale, but when I saw how expensive they were and how much time and money went into taking care of them, I decided on getting freshwater fish. Buying fish for sale is not nearly as simple a matter as I had imagined. You need to carefully select species, set the water at just the perfect temperature and salinity for them, and do tons and tons of research. Although it was frustrating, it was also very good for me. I learned more about oceans and lakes than I had ever expected to, and by the time I was ready to purchase my own fish for sale, I was fully qualified to own pets.
I think too many people give their kids pets without requiring enough of them. The kids mistreat or neglect their pets, knowing nothing about the life that they are entrusted with. Owning a pet should teach a kid responsibility, no matter what kind of pet it is. By requiring me to work for the money to get my pet fish, and to do all the research that was required, my parents instilled a sense of self-reliance in me.
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