Thank you for all of the excellent advice, friends. Mrs. Pinckney, thank you particularly for reminding me what a pain birds can be. (They are so CUTE, though!)
As you all know, I’d infinitely prefer a dog, but of course we can’t get one here. So we went with the most cost-effective and peaceful option: The trusty betta.
Blogosphere, meet Reuben. We spent an inordinate amount of time picking him out. Isn’t he handsome? Guion named him after his favorite German Shepherd in Ireland. Yes, in homage to the dog that we cannot have. So, that’s that. Reuben lives on our mantel and watches us while we eat and read and listen to music. And–now–watch films on our brand-new television: our other big purchase for the day. Guion was slightly more excited about the TV than the fish, but I’m rather pleased to have a pet.
Little Stories 
Congratulations. Reuben is a very handsome manfish and I know he is lucky to have found such a loving and intellectual refuge in your home. I hope the three of you bond and get along famously for a very long time.
Was munching on a Reuben sandwich as I read this. Hope it’s not prophetic!
[…] Davis); “30 Rock” continues to be the light and joy of our lives, excepting only Reuben; Guion’s beard; fairly regular quantities of snow and ice; and my reluctant absorption in […]
[…] need to lavish affection on an animal has even extended to Reuben. A fish is barely a pet–they’re about as much fun as a plant–but I love this […]
[…] of his first demo album. Then we ended up getting a betta fish, which Guion promptly christened Reuben, after the beautiful dog we could not yet […]