It seems like just yesterday that I was posting a Smedley update, and now I am writing to tell you about his death. I got home from work yesterday, and he had died sometimeduring the day. I tested the water immediately, but it was fine. We never knew how old he was, but we had him for almost two months. It just isn't long enough. When we first started researching octos and decided we wanted to get one, I knew this day would come and thought that I would be okay with it, knowing that the life span is not that long to begin with. I'm really not. It's almost like part of my family has died. My husband and I are beside ourselves. I gave him a proper funeral. We live on an Intercoastal Waterway, so I put him back into the ocean. I teach 6th grade, and had to break the news to my students today. They were as upset as me. He was a really cool octo. I'm glad that we had him. The enjoyment that we got out of him is almost worth this. I am so glad we got such a great octo for our first one.
On a happier note, Alice is doing well. As you may have read, she is an Atlantic Pygmy Octopus. Her scientific name is Octopus joudini or something like that. I just looked it up, and forgot it already. We know that she is at least 6 months old, so this day is coming again soon. She LOVES my husband, and seems to tolerate me, but it was the same with Smedley. He loved me, and knew my husband fed him. I now wish that I had been more comfortable interacting with him in the tank earlier. I wasn't sure how he would react, so went REALLY slow.
We are looking for another bimac. I wish I knew of a place that tank raises octos. That way, we wouold know how old our little one would be.
Thank you for listening to me babble. There are not that many people who understand how easy it is to bond with an octopus.
Beth, Tim and Alice and in our hearts always, Smedley
On a happier note, Alice is doing well. As you may have read, she is an Atlantic Pygmy Octopus. Her scientific name is Octopus joudini or something like that. I just looked it up, and forgot it already. We know that she is at least 6 months old, so this day is coming again soon. She LOVES my husband, and seems to tolerate me, but it was the same with Smedley. He loved me, and knew my husband fed him. I now wish that I had been more comfortable interacting with him in the tank earlier. I wasn't sure how he would react, so went REALLY slow.
We are looking for another bimac. I wish I knew of a place that tank raises octos. That way, we wouold know how old our little one would be.
Thank you for listening to me babble. There are not that many people who understand how easy it is to bond with an octopus.
Beth, Tim and Alice and in our hearts always, Smedley
