Re: Box/Ignorance
Yea, one of my first jobs was in a small town petstore (right before starting at a plant shop!), and I learned a whole world of things there.
I quickly learned to dread when some parent brought their kid in to purchase some poor creature that you knew would be tortured & killed in no time.
And yes, for quite a few people, it was our fault or someone else's, but never an admittance of their own ignorance & stupidity!
Not to say I wasn't there once myself. Indeed I was like that once too. I realize we have to learn somewhere.
But for me I did realize rather quickly that I had better at least read & study up on how to care for the animal/plant & what it needs, BEFORE actually getting one!
Also, that I had better be committed to caring for it, as I was going to be the one responsible for its life & welfare. (Most people "want" a plant or animal, but forget that in acquiring one, that they are actually getting into a "relationship" whereby they in return are responsible for it & filling its needs & care.)
I wish people new to it, would at least stick with the common animals (like goldfish) & common plants, that have been quickly & easily bred & raised specifically for them to try to care for & to "learn" from.
But then even when I see something "common" like a small green chameleon (common anole type) going into the care of some kid that can't even remember to wipe his backside, it still bothers me. Does he even know what that animal needs, and will he remeber to feed it or give it water? (Especially since "common" green chameleons are not so common as they once were.)
Which by the way, most "pets" are forced to live with an extreme lack of CLEAN/FRESH water (most common situation for pets is an owner too "busy" to give then FRESH water!) & many die a slow, horrible death from dehydration.
Rule of thumb, if you wouldn't drink the water, why do you expect them to? (You expect them to remain healthy drinking that sludge?!)
Could you?
I can feel for you with the petstore situation. I once thought of doing that sort of business when I was younger, but quickly realized I couldn't part with an animal if I cared for its life, and allow it to be sold to someone I knew wasn't responsible.
Sad situation.
Well said Swords!
All I can say is, it is better it was a pair of jellyfish, than something more rare & conscious of its surroundings.