Lucy, "The Gentle One", Rest in Peace: 01-18-08

Lucy died yesterday. I discovered her poor sweet body under the Big Rock. I had searched high and low for Lucy after realizing I had not seen her in several hours. The newts love to hang out under this rock, so it was natural to check there. It was terribly sad to find her, to see her form so limp and lifeless. But, realistically, Lucy was an older newt (at least 12!). Verily, she enjoyed a long life, and was loved and cared for well.

Lucy was adorable. Perhaps all newts are. But Lucy was special.

I observed Hammerhead and Lucy touch noses [snouts?] the other day, and it was awfully sweet. I have been told that Lucy was "the gentle one", the one would passively give in to (or crawl away from) Hammerhead's aggressions. Yet these two had some sort of relationship, one inevitably built up after years together in a small aquarium. I know he will miss her.

Goodbye and rest in peace, little Lucy. I know more than just one lifeform will miss you.

Transformation!

Tad is officially GILL-LESS. He's a little man... er, uh, newt... now. I returned after cat-sitting for a friend for the weekend to find a miniature fully-formed newt, clinging to the side of his fishbowl. This completely freaked me out, especially because when I went to touch Tad, he acted comatose. So, I touched him again, and finally he responded by swimming about frantically. Ah, at least that was normal behavior! But Tad still is oddly sluggish. He also continually tries to climb up his tank's sides. When anyone tries to see if he's alive, he barely responds at first. I wonder if his recent (and apparently overnight) transformation took a lot of energy and effort. He strikes me as a bit stunned. Adolescence is a bitch!

This morning I gave him some fresh water at room temperature (boiled for ten minutes yesterday) and some extra rocks (stolen from Mom and Pop Newt). When I returned to check on Tad later, I was overjoyed to see Mr. Little Man Tad sitting atop his rocks, as if newly-crowned King of All He Surveys.

I will post a picture when I get the chance. I took a few of T. up on his rocks. He's so damn adorable, it almost hurts.