The Local Fish Store

This is a hard statement to make, it's a long one, but I have a favor to ask at the end.

First, I want to say a few things about Wilfred. Wilfred was with me nearly 15 years. I got him when he was too young from a bad place, barely the size of a pop can. I was the first living thing he ever saw when he opened his eyes for the first time. He was every bit a son to me, "pet" doesn't begin to describe the bond we had. I'd spent some of my early adulthood homeless, had some pretty rough years. Basically the very second I had acheived a somewhat stable place to live, and probably a little irresponsibly, I adopted Wilfred. He has been with me through all my struggles and for many years, was the only being in my life that I could count on for support. He kept me going on a good path because he needed me as much as I needed him, particularly because I was so desperately alone for much of his life. I didn't come from a happy childhood. I'd never experienced unconditional love from anyone before him. It changed me profoundly for the better and made me into a far more empathetic and caring person than the one I'd been on track to becoming. I think, in retrospect, this was one of the biggest things holding me back but I either couldn't see or wouldn't admit that before him. Understanding that I shouldn't constantly try to put myself first has been central to getting to where I am today. It may not be much in the grand scheme, but from sleeping on the street to my current life- it seems like a different world. I credit Wilfred as the primary catalyst for all of it. Not only did he make me a better person, but also a far better father to my son, Nero. I don't think I could judge myself fit to be a father without the lessons he taught me.

I never went anywhere without him, even the travelling I did was always built around accomodating his company, if he couldn't come then I didn't go. He came to work with me every single day for the last 4 years where so many of you have come to know him. I can't thank everyone enough for the kindness you've all shown him. He absolutely adored interacting with customers, some of you were among his favorite people in the world. You know this from the ridiculous scream-howls he'd do whenever he heard your voices. He loved being here with everyone so much and the happiness that brought me was a primary driver for the long hours my family puts in at the store. Even as old as 12 people still thought he was a puppy by how intensely he used to love sharing his toys with them while visiting our store. The shock that some people expressed when learning his age came with almost a kind of honor for me. We couldn't go more than a day or two without someone describing him as the happiest and kindest dog they'd ever met. He was just so gentle and friendly to everyone.

Some of you who have been coming here for a good while may have noticed hes been slowing down over the last couple years. Poor guy had some very old bones. He still tried to play so hard that we had to start limiting him so he didn't hurt himself, he'd just keep going until he literally couldn't stand. It broke my heart to tell him he couldn't play some days. Like it does for everybody at some point, time finally caught up to him. We lost him, peacefully, at home on Monday morning. I've lost family and friends like most people have, but nothing has ever hit me so hard as this. I lost a core member of my immediate family. The first being to ever really mean something to me. I love him so much. This may have been a long post but I could just keep going forever on what a spectacular friend he has been to me.

So here is the ask.. I know many of you will miss him too and you may want to express your condolances here in store... but please hold off, just for now. I am trying my best to accept this change and I will need some time before being able to fully keep my composure when thinking of him. Feel free to share thoughts, memories, or pictures here, by all means. The only problem is that I do still need to be able to do my job so please allow me some time before talking with me about him in person. I will try to be here both physically and mentally as much as I can be, but if I need to leave, our hours/staffing may end up taking a hit here and there. Thanks for your understanding and support.

Dont forget to brush!! 🪥🦷
.. your plants' teeth?? 🤔

Just another oddity you can find at The Local Fish Store! Come see our plants with teeth among hundreds of others in our tropical greenhouse! Alongside our vivarium and aquarium plants, we also carry a wide selection of rare plants that you can't find at your typical greenhouse!