When I first adopted my tiger barbs they were some real bad eggs. Their history of offences and reoffences is too long to list. We’re talking graffiti-ing. Littering. Smashing stuff. Burning stuff. Breaking stuff. Stealing stuff. Throwing rocks. Running away … and that’s just the stuff we know about …
But my "eyes closed, head first, can't lose" mentality spurred me on. I knew to really connect and help these kids I had to provide more than just food and shelter, I would have to earn their trust and show them they are loved and supported.
As I was cycling, planting and preparing their room I would often dream about how happy we all would be hanging out, waiting for the thunder storms and heavy rain. I would come home from work and everyone would run to the door and eagerly tell me about their day.
I got them home, showed them their room and let them settle in. I checked in on them regularly and provided everything they needed, but they would just eat and go back to hanging out. I got the occasional grunt but I was getting desperate to connect with them. As hard as it was I swallowed my pride and sought advice from Cam @the fishroom about how I can really up my game and show them that there are people in this world who truly care and only want the best for them. He knew straight away how to break through the communication barrier and summoned me towards a secret concoction hidden away in cold and misty rectangle cauldron. He called it Cyclops.
I got the tartarus home, thawed one out and unleashed the cyclops into their room. All of a sudden it was as if Apollo himself had awaken in every barb, they slew every single cyclops that had entered their peaceful and might I say excellently decorated room, after the cyclops were defeated they did a full sweep of their room, it was the cleanest it has been since their arrival.
The bond we shared on that fateful day hasn't been forgotten and everyday I get home I am greeted at the door by smiling happy barb faces, they follow me around and even after a flake/pellet feed they come over and try tell me about their day.
Thank you Cam for bringing me and my barbs closer. Please don't sell out of it though, keep one hidden away or something.
