Losing Mr. Krebby and Happy New Year!

Sometimes the New Year does not start out as you dreamed it would. For example, we experienced a terrible family tragedy just as the clock struck 12. I don’t want to get anyone down, but Mr. Krebby, my son’s pet crab did not make it to 2019. He put up a heroic fight but alas, it was not meant to be.

Mr. Krebby was indeed a beautiful soul. He was not meant for this world. He was a somewhat disgusting and tiny crab of some kind that we got at Pet Smart for about $2.00. His tank and accoutrements however, clocked in at over $200. This confused me, and made me sad, but Mr. Krebs deserved only the best, and so the best he had.

It’s true Mr. Krebby was not a good or interesting pet. To begin with, the water had to be brackish. I learned that “brackish” means filthy and disgusting-- and also so dirty that you cannot see anything. Monsieur le Krebby also enjoyed burrowing in the sand. The effect being that you could never actually see Mr. Krebby and had no idea if he was actually in the tank or still alive.

I maintain that having a pet you cannot see and do not know if it is alive at any given moment is not the best pet, but who am I to judge? It is not like I am the lord and master of pets or anything. I am not a petologist and did not study pets in graduate school. Pet rocks are a thing after all. I know my limitations.

It is my theory that Mr. Krebby passed over the rainbow about a week after we brought him home and set up his stupidly ridiculous tank, complete with a café, penthouse condo, night club and a pilates reformer. But who would know? He had zero personality and never came out. He kept you guessing.

My son swore up and down and sideways that Mr. Krebby was alive and well and was extremely happy in his luxury accommodations-- although I never saw the guy. Not even once.

While I remained skeptical, I went along with the charade because like any parent, I don’t want my nearly adult son to have to accept reality for one tiny second. It is very important to protect one’s children from the anguish of the real world-- that I can tell you.

Well, I was devastated to learn that in the wee hours of 2018, Mr. Krebby passed. It hurts mainly because I was never sure Mr. Krebby had ever been alive, but that is of no consequence.

We are beginning the new year without a beloved family member. I learned a lot from Mr. Krebby. He kept stuff close to his vest. He never bragged or boasted. He never bored us with details about his life before our tank. He was a humble crab. But he was dignified. When he scuttled sideways in his brackish filth (at least I think I may have seen him scuttle sideways once, but that could have been an air bubble) he did it with grace and purpose.

There will never be another Mr. Krebby. But while I begin 2019 heavy of heart and missing my dear friend, I know one thing is true. Mr. Krebby’s spirit floats aloft over all of us beckoning us to be our better selves and to treat each other with kindness, compassion and love.

Also, I will never ever ever be stupid enough to waste my hard earned money on a repulsive terrarium for a teeny tiny creature devoid of personality again.

Happy 2019! May your year be filled with pets you can actually cuddle with and occasionally see!