I try to be a good neighbor

[Idaho]

My neighbors, Chad and Lisa, went on vacation with their two teanage kids. Left me a key to the house and instructions to feed the fish, feed the gecko, water the plants, and let the cats in and out. Okay, so I go over and feed the fish, only see one cat although there was a black and white one hanging around outside for a few days. Finally figured out how to break into the box of crickets and got seven of them (I think it was seven) into the cage with the lizzard. Forgot to give him water. Did not notice the three gold fish on the kitchen counter. My wife and I did not see the second cat inside the house so we finally realized that the B&W one was the second mystery cat and we started to watch for it. For three days. In the meantime the gold fish died and proceeded to rot in the tank. Euch what a mess. I had a headache last night so my wife went over to feed the critters. She thought that one of the fish in the large tank had died and noticed the the gecko did not look too good. I checked on the fish and sure enough one was floating on its back in the corner of the tank. Hey, I already flushed three fish what's one more? I get a bowl and a spoon and go in to get the 'dead' fish. When I touched the little guy with the spoon he instantly was brought back to life in a mad flurry that propelled water everywhere and himself to the bottom of the tank. Did not look at the gecko. Missing B&W cat showed up last night so I'm thinking "hey this is okay, only killed three gold fish so far." All is right with the world. With my wifes prodding I went over this evening to look at the gecko. (I think she knew something was amiss) Sure enough he is dead. Crickets are getting their revenge and have eaten holes in his side and have started to devour the tail. Now what am I going to tell my neighbors kid? "That's life." Nothing lives forever............ Gaaaaaaah. They come home tomorrow. Maybe I will throw the dead lizzard out and put in a certificate for a new one. Or lay a plastic lizzard in the tank. "He's just tired". At least I got the newspaper and mail all picked up okay.

LOL....sorry Idaho....that's too funny (sick)...i think the certificate is a good idea...goldfish can be replaced pretty easy...right?

Good job with the mail btw!!

[audiogooroo]

You ARE a good neighbor...you're just a terrible pet sitter.
Just kidding man. Sorry that happened. You know how it is, some days you just can't hit the ground with your hat.

[pirate]

Wow, what a nightmare! I wouldn't worry about it too much, it sounds like you did everything you were supposed to (and more!)

[dakals]

Idaho!!!! You poor guy!!!!! First off goldfish do not live very long!!!! I know this from personal experience!!!! Though i have one goldfish left out of the 20 that i had bought that just won't die!!!! He is huge!!! There is no way that this fish(when it dies) is going down the toilet!!!!! As for the lizard, my sister has one and it eats alot!!! Everyday this thing can eat about 15-20 crickets atleast 2 times a day!!!! They definately need water to survive. They also according to the pet shop need to be taken out of their tank to run around atleast once every 2-3 days. As for the cats, well what can i say, they manage on their own if they are outside cats. Good luck with the family coming home tomorrow. Hopefully they understand that it is a part of life!!!

[cactusjack]

Maybe you could move tonight so you won't have to face them when they come back home? Just kidding, you're a good man, Bud. I'd be proud to have you for my neighbor. My wife has a cat I wouldn't be too upset if it "got away" <wink, wink> would you watch it for us while we're away for the weekend?

[Idaho]

You folks are great. Chad called me back. I told him about the dead goldfish. He laughed and said that their daughter bought them the day before they left. No attachement there. Told him about the wayward cat, he is relieved that the animal is safe at home. Told him about the "dead" fish in the big tank. He laughed when I told him I went in with a spoon only to have the fish explode back to life. Then we got to the gecko. He was quiet for a moment, then he said "that's okay" we will take care of it when we get home. I told him that I probably should get rid of the critter before they get here because it was looking rather nasty. He agreed. Last I saw the once lively gecko is was head first in a water vortex headed for the City's Brown Trout Farm. I will deal with his son tomorrow. Hopefully the plants on the deck are all alive and no more fish die. Let us pray.

[Top Cat]

The gecko is dead
Man I liked those commercials on TV too. Oh well , nothing lasts forever

[fish]

good thing you weren't taking care of their kids

[misunderstood]

Originally Posted by fish

good thing you weren't taking care of their kids

+1

Good neighbors don't ask you to do that much. Good job !!

[beezer]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

The gecko is dead
Man I liked those commercials on TV too. Oh well , nothing lasts forever

Is the caveman ok?

[Idaho]

Have not seen any cavemen. One other neighbor is a little odd but I'm fairly certain that he was not listed in my things to care for. Actually two weeks ago they took off for a long weekend and asked Ann and I to keep an eye on the kids for them. Never saw a person. House is still standing, that may be why they thought I could take care of critters.

[phenrichs]

First, if you fed the gecko and it died, it was already sick or something wrong with the crickets made it sick. Those things can get enough water from their food to last them nearly a week. If the goldfish died that fast they probably bought the feeder type that are normally used to feed piranhas and not the pet type. Goldfish are tough. My wife's parents have one that is 15 years old. I SWEAR THAT IS NOT MADE UP! We have been waiting for it to die so we can get the tank from them. As far as the mail goes. NICE JOB! Dead pets and plants dont cause identity theft, stolen mail does.

[formikec]

Look at the positive side. They'll not ask you to pet sit anymore. lol

[tkd]

man, I really hope your wife never needs in-home care.......................just kidding. Sounds to me like you had a really bad run of luck.

Go buy the kid a puppy. He'll forget about the lizard and the parents will be so ticked, they'll never speak to you again. Problem solved. J/K