THIS IS PRETTY FISHY

     Those who own pets, typically love their pets as if they were family. When I say pets, I mean dogs, cats, iguanas, etc. I don't mean fish. I mean, yes, fish are technically pets, but if your pet fish had a tumor, would you have a veterinarian operate on your pet fish, so he can live a few more years? Probably not. You might let him live out the rest of his life with the tumor, then flush him down the toilet bowl.

     That's not what this Australian man did. In fact, he paid $200 for his pet goldfish to have a life-threatening tumor removed from his brain. Um, what? Pip Joyce, the owner of the 10-year-old goldfish George, drummed up the cash after he spotted a large growth developing on the little swimmer's head. He also noticed that he was having trouble eating and getting around, and claimed he was being bullied by the 20 other fish in the pond. Okay, WHAT? So, Joyce has 20 other fish and he has them in a pond. How the hell did he pinpoint this one goldfish with a tumor? Unless he was sitting there watching these fish interact all day! Joyce said, "Didn't join in as much in their afternoon party games and stuff, you know." How can you tell? Sounds like someone might be coo-coo for cocoa puffs!

      He took his sick pet to Lort Smith Animal Hospital, where vet Dr. Tristan Rich decided to carry out the "high risk" operation. George was put under general anesthetic. Water from his pond was brought to the surgery, which was fed into a tube through his mouth to keep his gills wet. The removal of the growth took about an hour. George was stitched up and carefully placed back into the water. Wow! I just don't get it. If I was the vet, I might have accidentally cut the goldfish's head off and said, "Oops! Oh, well! He doesn't have the tumor anymore!" But that's just me. I have to say that this vet must be amazing to be able to perform a procedure like this on a fish. I wonder if he's done this before?

     Dr. Rich told a news channel, "It was quite an intricate little surgery really. George is now up and about and swimming around as normal again." He predicted that George could now live for another 20 years. Joyce said that he was really impressed with the result and would not hesitate to do the same again. He said, "A goldfish is pet, a family pet, just as important really. They bring a lot of pleasure these fish in the pond. They are beautiful to sit and watch. I'm not sure that I agree. IT'S A FISH! We eat them! We won't eat dogs and cats....Well, maybe in some countries. I don't get the fish thing, but to each his own, right?