On a routine trip to Lakewood I was blessed with a bubbling goldfish. As the old woman from the exotic pet store scooped my new baby into a clear plastic bag, I swear I saw a smile luminate across her precious glupping mouth. Zomama was an easy choice when deciding on a name. Named after her husband “Zaddy,” a fair goldfish, I needed a pair of names that could roll off the tongue. These fish were stars and needed names to fit their iconic part of belonging to the Slocum Hall of Animals.
Trying to put into words Zomama’s personality is challenging. She is elegant like a light snow flurry dancing around her 10 gallon tank. She swims swiftly back and forth through her bubble machine that provides oxygen to water, and I know she is happy. She is a child at heart who knows how to have a little fun. She does have off days though, no one is perfect and just like any human her mood can shift drastically. One second she can Queen B, headstrong bobbing up and down and then next moment I’m thinking is she dead?
When it comes to her favorite food, tri-color fish flakes is something she can’t pass up. On days when her behavior is good she gets an extra pinch of flakes. My goal for Zomama is to make her big and beautiful. I’m like a pageant coach, tending to all her meticulous needs and guiding her on journey to adulthood. It’s scary seeing your little girl grow up. Time flies by so fast and it seemed just a week ago she was the size of a quarter; now she is reaching new heights being the size of a half dollar.
Zomama just gets me and I get her. She always knows when I need her and comes running to the surface anytime I approach her impressive tank. I feel we were on the same wavelength and in another life were besties who can enjoy a diet coke and some good gossip. I can picture Zomama’s human form. She is a sassy bigger girl with a red lip and messy bangs with smokey eye makeup; jean shorts and a flannel tied around her waist is her brand. The sound of her voice would be heavy with a slight lisp. She would sign every text with “XOXO.”
For future plans for Zomama is a long, full life ahead. I recently got Zomama a friend, “Zababy” from Petsmart after the passing of her one true love “Zaddy.” I intend to upgrade their tank to something that fits their status, something big and bold. I leave you with the thought that even a goldfish can be a companion. We’ve all heard the saying “a dog is a man’s best friend,” but in my case, it’s my goldfish Zomama.
