So a while back Sidekick passed away. He got sick and then died, and it took me a little while to realize why I was in a bad mood until I realized that his death sort of affected me. I'd had him for years, after all, and he had been a trooper when the three of us (He, Thor & I) packed up and moved a thousand miles from Boulder to crazy Los Angeles. From a simple life living on a quiet little street to a big hectic city with helicopters and sirens screaming by... I was attached to both those little guys and maybe losing him was like losing one more connection to that simple life I'd left behind.
I felt especially bad for Thor, though. While Sidekick was sick, Thor wouldn't leave his side. He swam solemnly nearby and it broke my heart- I was likely anthropomorphizing, but it really felt like he was losing his best friend and it was hard to watch.
Then, soon after Sidekick died, I had to go away for a week. Before I left I cleaned the tank well- I scrubbed the algae and changed the water and replaced the filter.
When I got back, I realized that the toothbrush that I used to scrub the inside of the glass was still in the tank. Thor seemed a bit better and I couldn't help but think the toothbrush had somehow played a part. They must have become friends! I left the toothbrush in the tank, because who was I to force Thor through another devastating loss... I imagine this is what it was like while I was away:
