Joy Halings, Arizona
Saved a Family of Koi Fish From Being Killed
Some people don't think of fish as pets, but to me any animal can be a friend. Over the years, I have helped save numerous cats, dogs and even horses—but nothing prepared me for my most recent rescue. My friend Beau and I both do night auditing at neighboring hotels. One night, he called to tell me his hotel was getting rid of the Koi in their pond. The maintenance staff had been instructed to collect the family of fish and throw them in the dumpster as if they were trash. They would've been compacted alive! I simply couldn't let that happen. In a panic, I found a plastic bin and a garbage bag to line it with. I raced over to the hotel and with great trouble, handpicked each of the Koi out of the pond with my bare hands. I transported each one individually over to my hotel’s decorative pond. I'm sure touching the fish and carrying them in the trunk of my car wasn't the best thing for their health, but it was a better alternative than what awaited them. By some miracle all five fish survived the journey! I think this goes to prove you should always try. To some people they're just silly fish, but to me, they've become my friends—they even eat out of my hand. I’ve named them Paulie, Raymond, Mickey, Elliott and Sonny.