Last night I dreamt that I had an unusual pet. It looked like a cross between a sea urchin and a very small manta ray. I had it out of its tank for some reason and the poor thing, while it could breathe air (must been a bit amphibious) it still needed the occasional boost of water to keep it going. So there I was cuddling my ray/urchin when it needed some water. All of a sudden the little devil suctioned itself onto my wrist, trying to draw water. It was quite uncomfortable to say the least. I looked at my pet and asked it incredulously "What are you doing?!" and then quickly added, "That hurts!" My ray/urchin apparently understood English and let go and even had the decency to look abashed.
After I gathered my wits, I was off to the local fish store to see what I could do about my little friend.When I got to the store, it was a mess. None of the tanks had covers and there was water all over the floor. There were tank decorations and coral everywhere. The overhead lights were flickering and I could hear water trickling over the sides of the tanks. I couldn't find a sales clerk anywhere. My ray/urchin started struggling to get out of my arms and into an open tank. With each one we passed, it fought harder and harder to leap.
Then I realized that all the tanks were salt water and he would die if he went in.
I got a firm hold of my ray/urchin and tried to find my way out of the store. As he struggled, I explained it as simply as I could, the dilemma we were facing. The poor guy was surrounded by water, but couldn't have any. It would be the end of him. I promised to get him to fresh water and quickly. That calmed him down a bit.
Once we got clear of the store he wriggled his way up to my shoulder and settled down. I got to my car as fast as I could. I rolled down the windows cause I knew my ray/urchin liked fresh air.
A woman and her daughter pulled up beside us and got out of their car. The little girl pointed out my ray/urchin and the mother said "OH! I just love those things! I really wanted one myself..." She reached for my shoulder and added "May I pet it?"
I started to warn her that he was very tired and had very sharp long teeth when suddenly...
RING!!!
I got a phone call and woke up...
Grrrrr... oh well.
