Anerable!

by Meg on January 29, 2007

Melanie S. stumbled upon this Sir Puffitude with mini winglets and 5 o’clock spine shadow. OK, this whole pic is too much, but the mini winglets are the best part—totally bite-offable!

Blowfishie

He’s kinda golf-ball sized, huh Mel? Love the blowfish leeps too.

{ 262 comments }

1 Kyle 01.29.07 at 3:00 pm

Makes a golf ball look huge.

2 Martha 01.29.07 at 3:00 pm

Is it a bird? Is it a fish? etc… :)

3 Tracy M. 01.29.07 at 3:01 pm

OH GOOD LORD. That made my day. Precious!!!!!

4 Cat with Hat 01.29.07 at 3:02 pm

Awww.. it’s looks so funny :)
It’s like a ping-pong ball.

5 Ben 01.29.07 at 3:02 pm

Awww! We have a stuffed one in the bathroom :)

6 Krissy 01.29.07 at 3:09 pm

He’s probably not too happy being out of the water like that.

7 Wishnick 01.29.07 at 3:11 pm

That is so rediculously cute, I think I’m going to explode. I mean, who could resist a bite-sized little puffer guy like that?

8 steph 01.29.07 at 3:12 pm

Wow. How does he propel himself through the water with those teeny-tiny fins? He must have some serious tail action.

9 lezlee 01.29.07 at 3:14 pm

Ok, he is very cute, but please tell me that no fishies were harmed in the making of this photo? Please?

10 Wendy 01.29.07 at 3:16 pm

What lezlee said!

Hopefully he made it back in to the water unharmed.

11 Edith 01.29.07 at 3:17 pm

Spiky fish fluffball!!
Who would have thought fish could be cute?

12 c 01.29.07 at 3:20 pm

haha.. i hope he was put back in the water! >.<

13 A thinker 01.29.07 at 3:21 pm

Hee! Hims has a very solemn face: “Put me down NOW or carnage will ensue.”

14 Pheas 01.29.07 at 3:22 pm

I hope he did not explode from his own cuteness. It looks like a serious possibility.

15 jaypo 01.29.07 at 3:23 pm

:o ip:

Blowfalo wings.

16 hey-h 01.29.07 at 3:25 pm

Poor little guy! They puff up because they’re stressed – he needs to go right back in the water.

17 Tarah 01.29.07 at 3:27 pm

He’s too much, but let’s put him back so he can live!

18 LeFox 01.29.07 at 3:29 pm

Part of me objects to the fish-out-of-water business…

…and the other part is screaming OMIGOD LOOK AT THE FISHIE.

I’m torn. ;-; Let’s assume fishie got back in the water immediately after the picture was snapped.

19 greenighs 01.29.07 at 3:30 pm

“Put me down NOW or carnage will ensue.”

Classic, thinker!!

Yes, he’s stressed. But he’s a young’un and needs the puff practice so he can grow up to be a serious badass. :D

20 ceebs 01.29.07 at 3:32 pm

awwwww leetle feeshy!! well, blow me down!

21 BCteagirl 01.29.07 at 3:37 pm

Oooooo.. he so fierce! :P

22 EricaE 01.29.07 at 3:42 pm

Is roundness a rule of cuteness. If it isn’t it should be.

I too hope fishy puffkins got back in the water safely.

23 Leilani 01.29.07 at 3:48 pm

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! The puffy lips! The buggy eyes! The sublime roundness! TOO MUCH!!!!

24 Snu Snu 01.29.07 at 3:49 pm

OISHIIIII!!!

25 ebee 01.29.07 at 3:53 pm

“If you don’t put me down, I’ll…I’ll…I’ll PUFF UP and LOOK CUTER!!”

ahahahahahahahaha!!! Kin I haf it?

26 Yitzysmommie 01.29.07 at 3:54 pm

SQEEEEEEE- not ususally fond of fish, but that lil’ puffer is anerable. I too am strongly hoping he was immediately returned to his normal element, and swam off saying “Geez, those big pink things are scary”.

27 nonsequitur 01.29.07 at 3:56 pm

Ummm… this is NOT CUTE on account of the fact that the fish may look hilarious and adorable, but holding it out of water like this is extremely stressful and potentially damaging to the fish. I have a lot of experience with saltwater fish and I work in a pet store, so I tell you all this with complete certainty. This is the equivalent of pinching a baby to make it cry because one is amused by the screwed up face it makes.

28 heidilynn 01.29.07 at 3:56 pm

Just watched “Nemo” with the kids this weekend (again); this little guy is much cuter than “Bloat”, the blowfish from the dentist’s tank. Much cuter.

29 bazu 01.29.07 at 4:05 pm

He is teeny and cute- but, I agree with what people have said- blowfish only blow up out of stress. It releases toxins into their system and if they blow up too much, it can cause serious damage. And folks, that is *so* not cute. =)

30 Subhangi 01.29.07 at 4:21 pm

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Teeny little pufferfish bebeh! And it’s ROUND! (Animators love circular shapes.) I can practically hear him saying “I’m NOT your fugu!”

*gives the little guy a feesh kees*

31 hue 01.29.07 at 4:22 pm

eewww.. that doesn’t look cute to me.

32 little miao 01.29.07 at 4:23 pm

Squeeee!!!!!

33 Theo 01.29.07 at 4:28 pm

[bulging eyes] …WOW, times two.
What a day this has been for CO pix, and it’s still MONDAY MORNING, even!

34 jaypo 01.29.07 at 4:30 pm

“If you don’t put me back in the water, I’ll…I’ll…hold my breath!!”

35 nella 01.29.07 at 4:30 pm

My first reaction was that I really vocalised that damned word “squee”… then I thought that I probably just squeed (not squid!) over a dead fish – but whatever. :o D

If you say that he could have been let back to water I’m relieved.

I hate fish, they are boring at the best and I don’t eat them either. But THIS is one cute little fellow. :o D

36 Debi 01.29.07 at 4:30 pm

From Wikipedia: “The puffer fish itself has immunity to the poison due to a mutation in the protein sequence of the sodium channel pump on the cell membranes.”

I’m sure the leetle fish is okay. Geez.

37 Missa 01.29.07 at 4:31 pm

I squealed.

Kyoot!

38 Lex - Be 01.29.07 at 4:41 pm

First I’d like to say the picture is well done, not a blur or what, this is lovely and we get to see this cute fish. Whom is really tiny!! For what I’ve read in the comments, it could be a baby?

Also, I guess Melanie S. saw it, thought it was cute and wanted to make a picture of it, maybe for us.
Now, please Melanie, could you reassure us and confirm that the fish was indeed put back in the water fast? :-) Thank you.

And to Nonsequitur: Reading “This is not cute” by someone who works in a Pet store that’s a bit much. Because a Pet Store, now THAT is not cute, even really ugly.
That would be great if you could “blow” it off (figure of speech) from the inside, cause that kind of thing is uncute and mostly unconscious. Thank you, and good luck. Peace.

39 Teri 01.29.07 at 4:42 pm

I now have the Simpson’s episode in my head where Homer ordered the blowfish at the japanese restaurant.

[Japanese accent]Poison. Poison. Poison. Tasty Fish!{/Japanese accent]

Oh, and for those worrying, I’m going to assume that the fishey went back into the water right after the pic was taken. Ya know, assuming the worst about any number of pics on CO gives you vicious wrinkles and causes totally unnecessary stress dudes. Mellow. Stop assuming the worst of your fellow humans for crying out loud.

40 Daisycat 01.29.07 at 4:42 pm

fishy fishy from the sea,
the way you puff up makes me Squeeeee.
I love your feeshy leeps and fin,
it makes me want to squeee agin!!!

41 Fable 01.29.07 at 4:44 pm

maybe it would make a fart sound when it explode…oh ne that would not be cute….oh.

42 PuppyMomma 01.29.07 at 4:48 pm

I weel kees you. And then I weel fly away.

Or maybe I’ll fly and then bounce.

43 Michele 01.29.07 at 5:10 pm

Suuupah Qte.
He will HUFF and he will PUFF and he will BLOW YOUR HOUSE DOWN!!!!

Hate to say it but mebeh he is dead! My boss was in Mexico a couple weeks back and they saw a dead blowed up puffer fish. It was EW

44 Theo 01.29.07 at 5:11 pm

BTW… “blowfeesh leeps” are actually beaks.
(FEESH BEEKS!)

45 EricaE 01.29.07 at 5:16 pm

I looked and there is in fact not rule of cuteness for roundness…

It seems to me that the rounder any object or animal is the cuter people seem the think it is.

Ergo, I once again make my bid for a new rule of cuteness….

“Roundness”

(Trying to divert from the dead fishy convo……)

46 thepetmuseum 01.29.07 at 5:18 pm

I could smooch heem! Carefully tho.

47 carmen 01.29.07 at 5:24 pm

i have no words to say a about bebeh puffer fish. blows him a little kees.

48 onionpencil musashi 01.29.07 at 5:26 pm

it’s cute but not amused. of course this doesn’t mean the picked him up just to puff him, probably he was already puffed so they snapped a quick picture. the worrisome part is i have read a puffer can die if it puffs when too young. let’s hope he’s not. i had a pet brackish one- great guy- would let me hold him gently in the water, nibbled fingers and tried to sleep on leaves- alas too fat and would roll off. i cried when sebastian died.

49 mj 01.29.07 at 5:26 pm

Have you ever seen one of these cuties eat? Not so cute! Drop leetle feeder fish in tank and ffffffttttt! It’s all gone!

50 punkpie 01.29.07 at 5:36 pm

the winglets are just teeny cuz they’re “collapsed.” When in water they open like little fans. Supa cute. We need to see more feeshes here on CO!

51 EricaE 01.29.07 at 5:37 pm

hmmm so my for my diversionary tactic…

52 Noel 01.29.07 at 5:55 pm

So, that is where all the missing golf balls go when you are out playing golf and can’t find them anywhere!

That explains it!

I swear, it looks like he swallowed a golf ball! LOL

53 sbrd 01.29.07 at 5:59 pm

I hope this is the kind of pufferfish that can deflate itself after danger has passed. I understand that not all of them can.

54 twig 01.29.07 at 6:09 pm

So I come into work as usual, and one of my jobs is taking care of the fish tank, feeding the fish, etc. I notice that our puffer ‘Beaky’ is sitting on a rock, three shades darker than usual with his tail perpendicular to his body.

On my voice message is a note from the boss. “Hey, this is the boss. I went to go clean the rocks in the tank and the puffer bit me and I yanked my hand out and he flopped behind the tank. When I went to reach for him, he puffed up. So I got him back in the tank now, but if he’s dead when you get to work, I wanted you to know why.”

You have to burp puffers if they get air in them or it can kill them – which makes me think this little guy may be of the pre-dried souvenier variety.

Beaky was the greatest, greediest, nastiest fish ever. He used to poach food from the other fish, you had to feed him on his own and lure him to one side of the tank to feed anyone else. Needless to say his little airborne adventure did NOT kill him — I still say if he had stayed out of the water any longer, he would have grown legs and lungs and went off for world domination.

Sorry for the long post, I never post here.

55 Helene 01.29.07 at 6:13 pm

Huh oh, isn’t Sir Puffitude venomous if you touch him?

56 Helene 01.29.07 at 6:16 pm

The fresh eyes and the presence of dirt makes me say that this is not a dried souvenir fish. But great story, twig!

57 tomi 01.29.07 at 6:24 pm

cute—but I have seen MUCH smaller ones….MUUUUUCCHHHH smaller…on Cape Cod.

I have also caught many adults, they always puff up. You let them go and they deflate in a hurry and swim away. Never saw one debilitated by the experience.

But these were Cape Cod fish. maybe others arent so pissah?

58 jessy 01.29.07 at 6:24 pm

what she means is he may end up BEING a dried up souvenir. poor baby. >.< I would only call that photo cute in two scenarios: 1: the person with the hand was an aquatic expert and knew what they were doing and had a reason for it. Two: if he was underwater and all blown up, instead of out his element, in a potentially harmful scene.

59 Theo 01.29.07 at 6:33 pm

Helene — no… only if you eat him.

60 Teri 01.29.07 at 6:36 pm

I totally don’t get why some folks

a: Assume the worst of the situation in any given photo/clip. Especially considering such only capture a teeny moment in time.

b: put conditions on cute. Cute is like love, it’s unconditional. It just is.

c: feel the need to lecture/educate/pontificate as if they assume that fellow readers/commentors on CuteOverLoad are morons who haven’t the first clue how to take care of an animal they likely will only ever look at pictures of.

Interesting phenomena this. Perhaps it should be studied by socialogoists?

61 Helene 01.29.07 at 6:40 pm

You’re right Terri. You can’t put conditions on cute, it just is. Even if that picture was taken seconds before the “slaughter” of the whole puffer family, it doesn’t make this fish any less cute.

62 DKN 01.29.07 at 6:41 pm

Amen, Teri!

63 warrior rabbit 01.29.07 at 6:48 pm

Teri,

Don’t forget:
d) Unreasonably and impractically demand backstory and updates, when half of these pictures are ripped from the ether and provenance is indeterminable.

64 twig 01.29.07 at 6:48 pm

Helene,

Thanks! I never knew fish had a personality before I saw Beaky sitting vertically between a rock and the side of the tank – I didn’t even know fish enjoyed sitting on rocks.

Beaky was awesome and surly and generally annoyed to be surrounded by the rest of us. He used to do the color-change tail-kink whenever the professional would come in to clean the tank as well – hated someone muscling in on his territory. Once, we found a small mirror and held it up to the tank. Beaky didn’t attack, but he turned dark green and got verrrry still. The angriest fish I’ve ever seen.

Also we had a mostly blind green wolf eel in the tank who had to look at his floating krill for a few seconds before he lunged for them, and Beaky’s favorite food was krill, so even when I tried to feed them separately he always darted back over to the tank to try to snag the wolf eel’s food before he could get it.

Most of the time, he was fast enough. Sometimes the wolf eel lunged and got a piece of Beaky instead of krill, and Beaky spent the rest of the day sulking with teeth marks in him.

I miss that fish. (Left the job. I’m sure Beaky is still hale and hearty and trying to grow opposable thumbs)

65 Teri 01.29.07 at 6:54 pm

twig: I barely grasp the care of and social life of fish, but I’m totally lurving your stories of Beaky! Sounds like a fishie with real personality!

warrior rabbit: Yea, although some pics we can get backstory or updates (like the little street kitteh pic a couple of days ago for immediate example). But I do see your point. A random pic someone found that’s cute the chances of these demands being met are slim.

I now want a t-shirt that proclaims to all and sundry “Cute is Unconditional”

66 Robbie 01.29.07 at 7:03 pm

Phew! I felt bloated like that this weekend when I had a chimichanga and beer!

67 Kara 01.29.07 at 7:11 pm

Chillax, people. Why would someone send in a photo of an animal that died shortly afterwards? I don’t know of anyone who’d be cool with that.

Cool yer jets and worry about something like looking after your family.

68 bats 01.29.07 at 7:18 pm

FUGU!!!

69 Colby 01.29.07 at 7:28 pm

My Guess?

Poor thing got caught in a fishy net (y’know. one of the small ones. like a kid plays with?) or somethign and they snapped a pic before letting him go.

or, the poor thing got caught in a tide pool, and Mr. Helper dude snapped a picture before lettign him go in the big blue.

anyway, fish can live out of water for a fair bit. My aquarium fish were mad jumpers, and even when the squiggled about on my floor (while I despieratly try to scoop them up without squeeeshing them) for a moment, they were unharmed, generally.

Which isn’t to say they should be kept out of water at all if possible.. but.. they can recover from a bit of stress.

ANd if they can’t… well.. how did darwin’s statement go again? :)

70 Lex - Be 01.29.07 at 7:52 pm

Hummm, just wanted to say sorry to nonsequiture if the pet store is not the kind to sell animals. That just hit me, but I got scared it might be one of those store not that serious. Hope you don’t mind.

Terri, I understand it’s annoying reading people “that is not cute, that poor thing is suffering” etc etc. I know, it’s annoying.
Sometimes we just are scared for those creatures given the fact a human being was around and that some of them manipulate animals as if they were a toy. Some of them are not bad, but unconscious of what they do.
You were right on what you said, but don’t put everyone in the same bag, :-) . We have the right on having second thoughts telling us “but… wait a minute, it is a fish… outside the water…!” so… yeah, we might ask questions.

Ha, c*** I’ll just enjoy the cute. Sorry Meg, hi anyway ^^.

Long life to the cute! That is all that matters (and the welfare of our beloved providers of course, wouldn’t it be normal for us to protect them for what they grant us is priceless?)

Peace.

71 Teri 01.29.07 at 7:55 pm

Lex-be…see, the thing is, this blog was set up to showcase pictures of critters that is cute. Not to analyze them or make guesses, educated or otherwise, as to the state of mind of the human(s) in the general vicinity. Or perhaps I simply have a better outlook on humanity.

“Ha, c*** I’ll just enjoy the cute.”

Ummm…..”c***” That’s not what I think it is, right? And it’s not directed at me, right?

72 Theo 01.29.07 at 8:01 pm

I think LexBe’s just making an effort to be diplomatic, Teri. ‘Sall.

73 Theo 01.29.07 at 8:04 pm

PS — it’s OK to say “crap” here, LexBe, though I’d prefer it not to be directed AT somebody, ad hominem… i.e. “Theo, you are so full of crap” (because, y’know, duh).

74 Laurie C 01.29.07 at 8:05 pm

“how did darwin’s statement go again? “

“Grow Feet or Go Home”?

75 Theo 01.29.07 at 8:09 pm

“I drank WHAT???”

(wait, no… that was Socrates)

76 imhkim 01.29.07 at 8:32 pm

aren’t they poisonous?

77 Theo 01.29.07 at 8:34 pm

Amazing how these comment threads come full circle, eh?

78 Kim H. 01.29.07 at 8:54 pm

So ugly, it’s cute. My fave kind of cute.

As for the commentroversy… I think CO performs a service, in that uncounted millions of people can look at ONE pic of a possibly-uncomfortable or embarrassed animal, therefore (hopefully) resisting the temptation to copy it. I mean, I don’t think we should all run home and put costumes on our bunnies or take pics of the pufferfish or bathe our cats… we can leave it to the pros!

Although this sounds a lot like trying to justify porn or something…

79 Susies 01.29.07 at 9:06 pm

Dudes how stressed can he be with that little fishy smile on his face? :-D

80 Susie 01.29.07 at 9:08 pm

I mean c’mon for serious that look on his face totally says LOOK WHAT I CAN DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! He’s showin off! :-D

Stress free!

Lol.

81 Bubbles 01.29.07 at 9:19 pm

Anybody remember the time on Sesame Street when Bert and Ernie went fishing, and Bert couldn’t catch any but Ernie would get lots? He would yell, “Heeeeere fishyfishyfishy!!!” And the fish would jump into the boat. Maybe that happened here. Maybe Melanie S. called and Puffy came. As a child I screamed heeeeere fishyfishyfishy and nothing would happen.

82 Ang. 01.29.07 at 9:20 pm

“This is the equivalent of pinching a baby to make it cry because one is amused by the screwed up face it makes.” Posted by: nonsequitur | Jan 29, 2007 at 07:56 AM

And the problem is… ?
;)

83 Helene 01.29.07 at 9:22 pm

Twig, I enjoy your Beaky stories! Hilarious! More! More! You should start your own blog with those stories!

Teri, I so want that t-shirt too! It could be this picture with “Cute is Unconditionnal”. Meg? Theo?

84 Laurie C 01.29.07 at 9:24 pm

“Although this sounds a lot like trying to justify porn or something…”

And the problem is…?

85 BunFF 01.29.07 at 9:43 pm

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…wake me when people stop whining…..

(very cute puffin!)

(aren’t they poisonous? KIDDING Theo!)

86 Amnesia 01.29.07 at 9:52 pm

He’s *sniff* itty-bitty!
Fugutastic!

87 misschelley 01.29.07 at 9:56 pm

ha ha theo

‘i drank WHAT?’

real genuis movie quotes are always good.

ok. i’m weighing in on the whole poor fish/ok fish debate. i’m a scuba diver. juvinile (sic) fish like this one, hang out in a shallow reef system, gathering strength and growing. he was likely harrassed into puffing up,as all puffer fish in the wild are usually very shy and hide.
holding them briefly out of the water to take a quick pic will not harm them, unless you drop them etc. HOWEVER, this would imply that you’ve taken them away from where you found them, and will release them no where near their ‘home’.
take nothing but photos, leave nothing but bubbles.

88 Susie 01.29.07 at 10:00 pm

I’m going to also argue that his fins are tewtally in a TADA pose.

Hangs head in shame. Maybe I should stop while I’m ahead.

89 onionpencil musashi 01.29.07 at 10:05 pm

i disagree- cute is somewhat conditional. i find a scared fish far less cute than if i knew puffers just puffed as a hobby.

90 BunFF 01.29.07 at 10:28 pm

Maybe he is a recreational puffer? or maybe he is a social puffer…he only puffs when he is out with a crowd…

Maybe he is a puff addict, and can’t help himself. Who are we to judge??

91 Theo 01.29.07 at 10:30 pm

Well, recreational or social, there’s no way he can get away with saying “I didn’t inhale.”

92 Fenix 01.29.07 at 11:14 pm

Cute! It looks the fish should be fine, the guy probably put it back in the water.

93 zandperl 01.29.07 at 11:16 pm

warrior rabbit:
“half of these pictures are ripped from the ether and provenance is indeterminable.”

Have to say I’m surprised no one’s accused CO of copyright infringement yet.

Teri:
Assume your average person on the internet is a 16-year-old boy and you’re probably not too far off the mark.

Not everyone agrees that “cute” is unconditional. If I saw a picture of the most adorable baby in the world with a gun in its mouth, I would be horrified. If I saw a live baby playing with a gun I would run to snatch it from the child, not stare and go “awwww…..” My reaction to photos like this one is simply the internet equivalent of snatching the gun from the baby.

94 me 01.29.07 at 11:22 pm

Fish cannot breath air. Do you realize that this is the same as holding an air-breathing animal down under water?

95 Theo 01.29.07 at 11:38 pm

ZandPerl — re: copyright infringement — don’t let your imagination run away with you. We do our best to credit the original owner/artist & get permission. (Look for changes in the way submissions work in the near future, too.)

There have been occasions where he/she has asked that a photo be taken down, and CO has complied. Situations like these are regrettable, but difficult to avoid entirely. Fortunately, they’re rare.

The photos we post are in good faith, and the copy is all original (unless, for example, Meg explicitly quotes someone).

96 Kim H. 01.29.07 at 11:42 pm

“Me”, it’s not quite the same. Fish gills can absorb a certain amount of oxygen from the air as long as they are moist, so fishy has a few moments to pose for his pic. He doesn’t have lungs full of the wrong substance, either, like a mammal would quickly have if it were held under water. His gills will quickly soak up water again as soon as he hits the sea. Also, fish have lower metabolic requirements than mammals and just don’t use up the ol’ oxygen as fast. Just ask a “catch and release” fisherman… if fish are handled very gently and barbless hooks are used, the fishy can do quite nicely.

And some fish do indeed breathe air as a secondary source of oxygen; they can gulp it down and pass it across their gills. Helps out when the water is stagnant.

And then there’s the African clariid catfish thingies who can wriggle across the ground in search of better water, “grunting faintly as they go”, according to one of my vintage Time-Life Nature books.

Sorry… end of biology dump.

97 joools 01.29.07 at 11:44 pm

We’re just Caring, Concerned & Compassionate Critters, & we don’t wanna condone any Baby Animal Snuff Films. ‘Snuff said.

98 pillow 01.29.07 at 11:52 pm

That fish is most likely dead. Blowfish, when taken out of the water, suck in air instead, which damagages their tissue and almost always causes death. AND I QUOTE:

“A puffer puffing with air can become a deadly proposition, if the air can’t be removed”

My verdict? NOT CUTE.

99 pillow 01.29.07 at 11:53 pm

EDIT: There’s more:

“Avoid taking your puffer out of the water if at all possible. When frightened they can inhale air that they cannot discharge later. This could cause their death. “

100 musicchick2 01.30.07 at 12:00 am

For our education, I found a video n YouTube of a Puffer Fish in a guy’s salt water aquarium. He gently demonstrates the Puffer Fishies built in defense mechanism. No fishies were harmed in the making of this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvcx5k4hVNQ

101 limbonics 01.30.07 at 12:06 am

*bloomp*

102 pillow 01.30.07 at 12:16 am

Thanks, Musicchick. ^-^ Hehe not to drive the point home, but note how he NEVER took the fishie out of the water!!!!!!!!!!!!

103 musicchick2 01.30.07 at 12:17 am

Here ya’ go, peeps! Everything you ever wanted to know about Puffer Fish but were afraid to ask: http://www.pufferfish.net/

Complete info INCLUDING PUFFERFISH DENTISTRY!! (??)

104 Bill 01.30.07 at 12:58 am

Most definitely not cute, as a puffed up puffer out of the water is almost definitely going to be a dead puffer very soon.

105 violetgreen 01.30.07 at 1:22 am

Don’t let go of the tail or…oh, no, there he goes!…….”PHPHPHPHTTTTFFFFphphpfftfttttthp” like a balloon!

106 Emi 01.30.07 at 1:27 am

It’s Uglorable (www.uglorable.com)!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who desperately needed to come in and declare “Fugu!” That really makes me feel better.

107 jsm 01.30.07 at 1:30 am

Hey Mrs. Puff, whatever happened to Mr. Puff?

108 Ophelia 01.30.07 at 1:44 am

Whatever. If he’s dead I’ll eat him.

109 Cate 01.30.07 at 1:45 am

Alright, I simply can’t help it. I have to chime in.
1) Fish is cute. Yeppers.
2) Most people on this site recognize the dangers inherent to a “fish out of water.”
3) The problem? People who aren’t the brightest bulbs in the tulip bed see pics like this and think, “Hey, maybe I can make a fish puff up more than that!” This site sets a precedent. People like to show off. Somebody is gonna go for “cute” and end up with “Ooopsy… guess it needs water AFTER all! Too late, at least I’ll make it on C-O!”
There’s got to be *some* accountability.
Just sayin’.

110 Sammy's Auntie Wendy 01.30.07 at 1:48 am

Hey,look over here!..a kitten!!**waves arms in a futile effort to distract everyone from the insanity**

111 Fable 01.30.07 at 1:48 am

Accountability to what…the fish or the hand that is holding it outside the water…in a very uncomfortable position.

112 Jumpy 01.30.07 at 1:49 am

“Whatever. If he’s dead I’ll eat him.”

Marry me.

113 Fable 01.30.07 at 1:49 am

Hey Sammy where is Sena kitty?

114 Tank 01.30.07 at 1:52 am

I can see the scene now:

Woman sees fish. Pulls fish from water. Fish puffs up. Woman snaps photo. Woman grows concerned for poor fish. Woman places fish back in water. Woman turns away with a contented sigh and smile, thinking of sending in the photo to CO.

Larger fish swims up and eats little puffer fish in one gulp.

115 Sammy's Auntie Wendy 01.30.07 at 1:54 am

Sorry..I’m not Sammy. She’s 5 and lives in MN. I’m….older and live in southern Ontario. I don’t know Sena kitty.

116 georgia w. 01.30.07 at 2:04 am

OMG does it come in purple.

117 emily 01.30.07 at 2:18 am

seeing this picture made me gasp in delight

118 blondi 01.30.07 at 2:24 am

“Whatever. If he’s dead I’ll eat him.”

Best person ever to post on CO.

119 Denise in Nebraska 01.30.07 at 2:39 am

Is zee little dewd ok?? He looks like he is about to pop. “5 o’clock spine shadow”…..lol, Meg!!!! I would like to keees heeem. :^)

120 Lizzy 01.30.07 at 2:41 am

“Violet! You’re turning violet Violet!”

I am convincing myself that this little fishy’s CO debut left him completely unharmed. Poofy face!

121 Fable 01.30.07 at 2:44 am

Convincing wont be worth anything one it does not have nay air anymore

122 Laurie C 01.30.07 at 2:56 am

“Larger fish swims up and eats little puffer fish in one gulp.”

Love the twist ending.

123 horseluver123 01.30.07 at 3:04 am

no effin way…no..that is just TO CUTE!!!1!!!!11

124 pyrit 01.30.07 at 3:07 am

I vote ‘best post’ here goes to BunFF and violetgreen.

125 Rachel 01.30.07 at 3:16 am

“That fish is most likely dead. Blowfish, when taken out of the water, suck in air instead, which damagages their tissue and almost always causes death.”

Yes, but we don’t know that he inhaled outside air, do we? He could’ve puffed up in the water, and she just picked him up. I would think that was most likely, anyway.

“If I saw a picture of the most adorable baby in the world with a gun in its mouth, I would be horrified. If I saw a live baby playing with a gun I would run to snatch it from the child, not stare and go “awwww…..”

Be careful of polarizing; that never makes a good argument. Does this fish have a gun to his head? Or, the equivalent, like a hook in his mouth or a foot hovering above him? If it was painfully obvious that this fish was about to die, or was dead, then yes, I think we’d all agree it wasn’t cute. But this fish is pretty darn cute, because it’s reasonably likely that it’s in no harm whatsoever. And especially from first glance, there’s no glaring, obvious tragedy about to befall him or anything. There’s no way you can logically compare this picture to a baby with a gun in its mouth.

126 Rachel 01.30.07 at 3:17 am

P.S. What’s “Fugu”?

127 Helene 01.30.07 at 3:58 am

Holy shit Zandperl, lighten up.

Rachel, Fugu is this fish in sashimi version… If not correctly prepared, it can be deadly. See the scene in Charlies Angels 2000 when Bill Murray eats some at Tim Curry’s party.

128 Teri 01.30.07 at 4:24 am

Is it so bloody wrong to consider the human race somewhat nicer than some of ya are? Is it so bloody wrong to consider the possibility that 16 year olds are smarter than some folks seem to be allowing them to be?

And is it so bloody wrong for me to view a photo of a puffed up blowfish and NOT assume the worst? Simply to enjoy the moment captured on film?

Is it so impossible for people to DO THAT?

129 nonsequitur 01.30.07 at 4:27 am

Word back to Lex-be… One must not judge all pet stores by the standards of what they may have observed in their tiny corner of the world. This store I work for is one that I am PROUD to be employed with because of how humane they are to the animals… The puppies come out of their cages for interaction for at least 3-4 hours a day… are played with and given toys & blankets… Most of the birds are kept in open displays, no cages, and also given frequent treats & loving interaction. You wanna see cruelty, check out some of the pet-owners we’ve had to deal with and try to educate. Not all pet stores are evil and some really do have the best interest of the pets in mind.

130 Leyla 01.30.07 at 4:32 am

warrior rabbit

Loved the Beaky stories. Laughed my ass off.

131 Emi 01.30.07 at 4:41 am

Rachel, fugu is pufferfish. More commonly pufferfish meat.
And it’s delicious.

132 Megan 01.30.07 at 5:30 am

Is being round a rule? If it’s not, I soooo think it should be! If you’re perfectly round or scrunched into a position of roundness, you are cute!

133 Madie 01.30.07 at 6:53 am

Ohh, Sir Puffitude… so serious! Go on wit’yer bad self!!

134 D.Durand 01.30.07 at 12:03 pm

Return this poor thing to the water, silly ! He do that only when he’s full of fear (it’s a defense tactic) !

135 Lex - Be 01.30.07 at 1:26 pm

Just coming to say thanks for the answers.

Theo, you got it. That was it. I indeed thought crap, I’m not an english person, then “sorry” for my errors if so.
I don’t know what you thought Terri, but it was not directed at you… humm never thought of that actually. What you said on seeing the world in a better way? mhh.

Thanks to Cate also, who understands we might get worried some person might do something un-cute.
Humans are humans, I wanna see the world in the best way possible, only some do not attend to make it better.
We care for the cute, don’t we?

Nonsequiture, have you seen my second post?

Anyway, back to the cute, crap again, I will just enjoy the cute and shut my mouth instead of trying to justify myself to some people…
Keeping myself zen, going away from the comments, just enjoying the cute.

ps= some people don’t have a biology degree, therefore can be worried for the welfare of an animal, but doesn’t mean they’re stupid. :-) thanks.

136 violetgreen 01.30.07 at 1:41 pm

OMG, non-sequitur, I think you live in the general area of the Lebanon Pet Center, Lebanon, NH. A GORGEOUS pet store. I’ve stopped in with friends just to see the great parrot/bird room & the huge aquarium secton.
Once saw an employee there playing with a hyacinth macaw swinging him hand-in-claw. WHEEEE! She put him down and he held up his claws and gave her goo-goo eyes. “AGAIN! DO IT AGAIN! PLEEEEASE!!”

137 Wirrrn 01.30.07 at 4:03 pm

but the mini winglets are the best part—totally bite-offable!

-Only if you want to either die/become a zombie! All Puffers contain lethal amounts of Tetradotoxin in their flesh, which means if you chow down on one, you’d better really enjoy it, because it’s the last meal you’re ever going to have…

138 Helene 01.30.07 at 4:11 pm

Now wait a sec Meg. That’s not a spine shadow, it’s a winglet shadow…

139 bongobunny 01.30.07 at 5:31 pm

Puffers are SO cute! They don’t even have to be puffed up to be. You should see them eat…it’s totally disgusting but adorable at the same time.

140 jdawg 01.30.07 at 6:32 pm

To Teri et al in those vein: let the people who are concerned about the fish be concerned about the fish. I for one am a person who visits cute overload b/c I love animals, to the the point where I am a vegan and I practice animal law (yes, lawyering to protect animals.) So for many of us on CO, it naturally immediately strikes us that an animal may be hurting during the photo taking. Almost all of the posts are absent of this characteristic; even pictures of dogs who obviously hate their booties don’t count, although deliberately humiliating an animal would.

There seems to be a push towards the “you guys are so uptight” and “don’t you know about enjoyment!” and “I’ll eat that darn fish if its dead” end of the spectrum.

This really shocks me–I assumed people on CO care about animals in a deeper way than that.

The other push: that pointing something out is pontificating or lecturing.

Last I checked this was a forum for expressing opinions. Are the ones you want to hear still opinions, and the ones you don’t a lecture?

I say: adorable fish, shouldn’t have been taken out of the water.

I don’t need to speculate about the goodness or knowledge of the human race, or even the particular biology of a puffer, to say w/o embarrassment and w/o expecting a shocked response from this crowd that we shouldn’t take fish out of the water if there is no more pressing reason than our own amusement.

Enjoying their cuteness and treating them like our puppets are miles apart.

141 jdawg 01.30.07 at 6:35 pm

One more thing: the point of noticing an animal’s suffering isn’t just so less informed people won’t copy the act.

Noticing it is the point in and of itself!!

And whether or not you find it annoying, good people shouldn’t be able to enjoy an animal’s suffering.

142 EricaE 01.30.07 at 6:59 pm

Megan,

Yay! someone else agrees.

Vote “roundness” for #32. :D

143 Teri 01.30.07 at 7:04 pm

jdawg: Now I’m actually quite insulted

144 jdawg 01.30.07 at 7:26 pm

Sorry Teri et al, I don’t mean to insult you. But please let people who are concerned express their concern. Its not pedantic, its not condescending, it doesn’t mean you dont’ have a sense of humor; its just concern. It bothers me a ton when people take care and say that its too serious, it ruins the fun, or that its a lecture.

145 Teri 01.30.07 at 7:33 pm

Considering that this is an entertainment blog, yea, it’s entirely feasable for some of us to see such comments in such a light.

I am insulted. Plain and simple. Why? Because somehow I have been made to feel like a second class citizen for simply enjoying a picture.

146 jdawg 01.30.07 at 7:35 pm

Alright be insulted. Just please stop trying to silence discussion. Let people have their opinions. Not everything is purely entertainment and nothing else; not everything is purely good. Its not raining on your parade for posters to point that out. And if multiple posters are doing so, they must be on to something.

In any case, I love CO, I love 99% of the posts, and I hope its long lived and that the community feels free to both enjoy and express themselves.

147 Teri 01.30.07 at 7:42 pm

Fine, whatever. I’m wrong. I’m horrible and mean for wanting to enjoy the freaking cute and you are ever so much more superior to me since you want to have an intelligent discussion over animal rights and treatment that’s clearly over my pretty air filled little head.

148 jdawg 01.30.07 at 8:04 pm

Woah…
Teri you have issues. Please re-read your comment about how you have a better understanding of human goodness than the people who merely said things like “hope the fish is OK.” And then you can come and talk to me about asserting superiority.

I don’t know how many times I have to say it: let people have their opinions. Stop trying to silence the other posters, me included. You don’t get to control the scope of this forum; if comments about the fishies feelings bother you, move on, but don’t tell those people to stop so that you can view it your way w/o interruption.

149 Theo 01.30.07 at 8:24 pm

Hmmm… who was it recently that made the case that “issues” does not equal “problems”? It was one of the CO Voxenbloggen…

150 Teri 01.30.07 at 8:27 pm

Yes, I have issues. You are ever so wise. I didn’t even realize it until you kindly pointed it out to me. I’m horrible, mean, two faced, loud mouthed, whatever else you seem to be implying about me.

Go away and leave me alone now. My day is currently stressful enough without a vegan animal rights lawyer lambasting me because I made an attempt to help people look at a picture for just a freaking picture.

Pick on someone else now. Seriously. I’m stressed out enough right now that your constant badgering about what frankly amounts to MY OPINION has me near to tears. Leave me alone. Just find someone else to pontificate and lecture.

151 Theo 01.30.07 at 8:31 pm

Oh stop it, you two. There’s plenty of pictures here to suit everybody’s viewpoints.

152 Khadija 01.30.07 at 8:37 pm

quick put it back in the water!!

153 Helene 01.30.07 at 8:39 pm

I’m with you Terri. I just want to enjoy the picture too, and I don’t think that makes us bad persons.

154 Kim H. 01.30.07 at 8:42 pm

Voxenbloggen?

Hmmm… I guess I see both sides of this argument. I’m a greedy bacon-eating carnivore, myself, but get pretty upset over documented animal cruelty. Although I’m not above occasionally putting a pink feather boa collar on my cats and then laughing at them. They don’t understand how funny it is.

But… CO is primarily lighthearted entertainment, not a consciousness-raising society. Impassioned stands on animal issues usually fall a little flat here, maybe because 90% of the visitors are too busy laughing their behinds off after viewing the pics. That’s not to say that it’s wrong to worry about the animals, only that the concerns that have been raised are really questions without answers. We rarely know what happens after these pics are taken, or the situation and motivation that led up to them. So… since we can’t answer the “what happened to the (fill in the blank)?” question, all that’s left is that we have one side upset over the depicted treatment and one side upset that they are somehow being equated (at least in their own minds) as animal torturers, because they sprayed breakfast cereal on their monitor when they first saw the pic.

I admit that I feel guilty sometimes enjoying some of the pics on CO… I just don’t let it stop me. It’s really another kind of black humor at times. I figure, I didn’t take the pics, they’re not my animals, and whatever happened to them is now a done deal. I’d rather worry about the critters in my own neighborhood that are living and barking and meowing and throwing nutshells at me.

Peace, pax, truce, y’all. These are both valid positions, and you are unlikely to make each other see eye-to-eye by arguing.

155 random girl 01.30.07 at 8:48 pm

yeah you guys, for reals.

but, if you feel like fighting in another thread, i will send in photos of the dogs and cats used for fur in china, and teri can say how cute they are, and then jdawg can say they are not cute because soon they will be dead.

-also not happy the fish isnt in the water, hopes it is okay, and is veg*n

-likes the word ‘pontificate’ though

156 Theo 01.30.07 at 8:51 pm

Kim H — http://www.vox.com/home (it’s another Six Apart service, like TypePad)

157 Fable 01.30.07 at 8:57 pm

If you are getting tears in your eyes for this simple conversation…think about what the fish might feel…

158 Theo 01.30.07 at 9:00 pm

…a little bloated, perhaps

159 Teri 01.30.07 at 9:10 pm

I totally give up.

160 Theo 01.30.07 at 9:12 pm
161 Helene 01.30.07 at 9:15 pm

I cannot believe some of you. For goddsake… Randomgirl you are beyound words. Nobody would find OBVIOUSLY CRUEL CARNAGE PICTURES cute!!!!! What’s with you? So stop minimizing Terri’s (and many others such as me!) opinions by making such disgusting comments. And get your head checked.

162 EricaE 01.30.07 at 9:16 pm

I think this is perhaps the most insane argument we have had on CO to date.

Ah, the internet… last bastion of free speech.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

(Bring on the puddin’ !)

163 Helene 01.30.07 at 9:17 pm

Oh, and if I may add a lil’ something here. Meg posted the pic because she thought it was cute. So people like Randomgirl and others are actually insulting Meg as well. Because Meg thought it was cute too! OMGHOWWRONGSHAMEONUS!!!

164 Theo 01.30.07 at 9:17 pm

Helene — shrill, much?

EricaE — I think Aubrey has it.
(The pudding, not the freedom of speech.)
(Well, not ALL of it, anyway.)

165 Helene 01.30.07 at 9:19 pm

Theo — SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

166 Theo 01.30.07 at 9:21 pm

touché

167 Helene 01.30.07 at 9:21 pm

hehehe

168 Kim H. 01.30.07 at 9:27 pm

Mmmm… pudding. Vanilla for me, with a tot of bourbon stirred in for good measure.

Teri… don’t take it all too seriously. You won’t be allowed to, for one thing, ’cause Theo (and others) can make a joke out of anything. Don’t cry, laugh. And have some puddin’.

169 EricaE 01.30.07 at 9:27 pm

Has what? The puddin’?

Oh I’ve got yer puddin right here.

*Creek, creek…
Wheels out the puddin’pult and loads a large industrial sized can of chocolate pudding.*

…Remove it from the can you say?

*sighs*

Oh alright!

*glup*

3…2…1 Puddins’ away!

*Puddin’ lands with a resounding and squelchy splat on Helene and Teri*

*Loads butterscotch for the next round*

170 EricaE 01.30.07 at 9:33 pm

3…2…1…. Puddins’ away!

For Beaky! and Freeeeeeeeedom!

*puddin lands with an equaly squelchy splatter on Kim H. and random girl*

171 Teri 01.30.07 at 9:34 pm

Theo…make that kitteh black, 17lbs and on her back on the floor as opposed to the corner and it’d be my Cujo.

172 EricaE 01.30.07 at 9:35 pm

Oh… I prefer pistachio and chocolate btw. *grins*

173 Theo 01.30.07 at 9:39 pm

[huddles under Big Bad Kevlar 'Brella]

174 Kim H. 01.30.07 at 9:40 pm

Teri, did you ever consider that naming your cat Cujo might be tempting fate? (Shudders)

Peeps, my 10-year-old fat calico (I don’t think I know any THIN calicoes) Lucy is looking ill. Vomiting, refusing food; some recent weight loss and other odd things. Off to the vet here in a couple o’hours. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious, like ktty cancer or diabetes. I’m fond of her, even though she causes me more trouble than the other three put together.

175 Teri 01.30.07 at 9:44 pm

KimH…my girl was named after the goalie, so at best I’m hoping she can stop any toy mouse flung her way. ;)

176 Laurie C 01.30.07 at 9:45 pm

Kim H, good luck. We love our troublesome kitties.

177 random girl 01.30.07 at 10:18 pm

lol, Helene.

it is funny though, because it is true.

lets say this… there is a cage in china with 3 identical cats in it. one is going to be slaughtered for fur. one is going to be sold to a hideous research lab. and one is going to be picked up by a tourist, taken to a vet, taken home and loved and squeed at and hugged for the rest of its life.

now, given that, which of the three identical cats is cute?

you wouldnt know, to look at it. they are just cats in cages. thats my point.

some people might just see cats in a cage and think — awwww, little cats in a cage! other people might say, you know, i dont think those cats are going to make it, and feel saddened.

it doesnt really matter from the photo what happens to the cats. they are just cats in a cage. if you can enjoy them for that, well, you can. some of think they are almost certainly going to suffer, and feel bad about it.

if 3 cats in a cage is cute to some, it is, but not to everyone.

178 anner 01.30.07 at 10:18 pm

Kim H. – have you really tried bourbon in vanilla pudding? is it good?

it’s always nice to find new places to put bourbon. i like it in applesauce.

179 Theo 01.30.07 at 10:29 pm

Anner — a little dark rum goes with a caramel sauce, for ice cream. Dresses it right up.

Random Girl — your comment goes with your screen name… which is to say, not much else.

180 Kim H. 01.30.07 at 10:43 pm

Anner… beats me. I honestly can’t remember everything I’ve cooked. But I definitely remember making a steamed English-style pudding one time that I served with a vanilla sauce (basically a hot vanilla pudding that was sort o’ liquid) that I spiked with bourbon. It was muy bueno.

Sort of a threadjack… but pudding’s always more-or-less on-topic for CO.

Mmm…rum and caramel, that’s pretty good too. Basically, most foods are enhanced by including a little booze here and there.

181 anner 01.30.07 at 10:50 pm

if ever there was a thread that neede a jack…

182 Theo 01.30.07 at 11:03 pm
183 Alexis 01.30.07 at 11:24 pm

Ha, Theo! Loved the “Real Genius” quote. It’s been a while since I saw that… Time to add to my Netflix queue (jeebus, that looks like it’s spelled incorrectly).

I’m staying out of the cometroversy. Just commenting on the comments…

184 Kim H. 01.30.07 at 11:33 pm

Hey, Teho found yet another use for bourbon!!

185 Alexis 01.30.07 at 11:45 pm

Doh! That should be “commentroversy”, natch.

186 Theo 01.30.07 at 11:48 pm
187 Noelegy 01.31.07 at 12:55 am

*gasp* It’s so teeeeny!

188 Helene 01.31.07 at 12:59 am

Thanks Theo for your answer to the randomized chick.

And Erica, thanks for the pudding, J’adore le CHOCOLAT!!

And speaking of spiked desserts, I like a bit of vanilla ice cream topped with Baileys. OMGBBQPONIES!!1!

189 bearlet 01.31.07 at 1:43 am

just got caught up on the comments, and HAD to post this:
http://826valencia.org/store/karl.html
he’s the [late] mascot of a local literary nonprofit/pirate store in SF.

190 Helene 01.31.07 at 1:45 am

LOL, Karl sounds like Beaky! Are all puffers this bossy?

191 Kim H. 01.31.07 at 2:18 am

Mmmm… Bailey’s. Which, I might add, tastes even better in Dublin. Visited there in 2002; lived off of really good Irish tea, Guinness, and Bailey’s. And a bit of food now and again.

Alexis, I kind of liked “cometroversy”. Seemed to sum it all up, somehow.

Lucy the Fat Calico, BTW, is spending the night at the vet’s office. Mebbe some thyroid issues, mebbe the kidneys, who knows. We’ll see. Tried to bite the vet, the little minx.

192 Theo 01.31.07 at 2:39 am

Ooooh… Bearlet, we *like* 826 Valencia because they’re associated with McSweeney’s Internet Tendency (and a bunch of other 826s in other cities). http://www.mcsweeneys.net/

Kim H — http://www.squidgrid.com/cute/Glossary.htm#Comment

193 Helene 01.31.07 at 4:11 am

Theo — Wow, that lady’s comment about bathing a cat is beyond belief! I think I’m going to go “fan the flames” ;-)

194 Chieko 01.31.07 at 5:34 am

sometimes reading the comments left on pictures amuses me more than the pictures do.

Yes, this fish is cute enough to rott your teeth.

Yes, this fish may be in danger for blowing up and not being able to deflate and die.

But should the discussions be held somewhere private? like through e-mail? not someplace where thousands of people can read them and make fun of you?

reading all of those comments about animal cruelity made me kind of depressed. made me think I was being bad for enjoying something this cute that might actually endanger the poor animal.

sorry, that’s just my 2 cents right there. ignore me if you will. :P

195 Helene 01.31.07 at 2:14 pm

Theo, what is McSweeney? Is it a magazine?

196 anner 01.31.07 at 2:14 pm

Theo – i am so slow on the uptake that i didn’t get the whole “jack” thing until hours later when i was in the half-sleep-half-awake i get into when my husband gets up to go to work at 3:30 am.

thank you for commanding all my wishes so punnilly.

197 Theo 01.31.07 at 2:38 pm

Helene — I included the link, it’s right there… it’s kind of a funny pages for writers.

Anner — I’m thinking less Jack for you, and more Java. ;)

198 pyrit 01.31.07 at 2:39 pm

Yeeeaaahhh, this thread is too fun. I think I’ll go play with some razor blades and lemon juice now.

Heavy, heavy fuel.

Do not pour gas then light a match.

That is a safety rule.

Do not fan the flames while thousands watch.

That is never cool.

199 pyrit 01.31.07 at 2:40 pm

Oh hiya Theo – Nice Jack there btw. I’m gonna swoon again!

200 Theo 01.31.07 at 2:49 pm

This morning, Teh Schmoop wryly mentioned (of the Cute Overload comment crowd) that there’s always the contingent that believes a 200 lb. anvil is suspended precariously over the head of every creature in these photos, unless documented otherwise. I didn’t take the viewpoint that documents could be *COUGH*photoshopped*COUGH* because I’m classy that way… instead, what I said (between laughs) was that it was high time we had a word for this. And then — EUREKA!

“Snuffinghams”

…of course. Because the sky is ALWAYS falling! And that slepping puppy really IS dead.

201 Helene 01.31.07 at 2:59 pm

LOL Theo, I love that! And a Sqee for you!

SQEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

202 Dora 01.31.07 at 4:20 pm

Yay for anerable fishies! And thank you for featuring some animals that are super-cute even if they don’t have fur or fuzz.

P.S. I vote for the “Round is Cute” rule! :)

203 EricaE 01.31.07 at 7:18 pm

*Snorts coffee out her nose at Snuffinghams*

Theo…. Yay! just yay!

204 Kar 01.31.07 at 7:34 pm

Great, now I’m going to have “Fugu me! Fugu me!” in my head all day.

205 Brie 01.31.07 at 9:33 pm

So cute. I love pufferfishies!

206 Fenix 01.31.07 at 9:42 pm

Hoo boy, who’s going to do a countdown on how long til this ends up on Fandom Wank?

207 R. Moore 02.01.07 at 1:50 am

Sammy’s Aunt:

You’re tripping out my brain, I have an Aunt Wendy in So. Ontario.

Weird.

208 Fish Fan 02.01.07 at 3:35 am

I love, love, love CO – but please, take this picture down. It’s making me sick. I’ve been keeping puffers for many years and know they do not recover after puffing up like that. The stress kills them. I just can’t stand to look at it. Thanks.

209 Puffman 02.01.07 at 4:42 am

Yeah, that fish is likely dieded. Cats n racks FTW!!!

210 random girl 02.01.07 at 3:05 pm

they arent going to take it down, you know.

because its cute!!

it is okay to post an animal dying, as long as it is cute while it is doing it.

211 Helene 02.01.07 at 3:47 pm

Yeah, because Meg is such a cruel cruel person!

You really need to stop that holier than thou attitude, randumb girl.

212 Helene 02.01.07 at 3:50 pm

Oh, and if you hate the site THAT much, because we are so so mean, then what are you still doing here?

213 Theo 02.01.07 at 4:02 pm

Maybe *some* of you ought to consider this:
http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2007/01/just_pommin_aro.html#comment-28571589

Also, I strongly agree with the folks here who believe “Cute is unconditional.” (And yes, I *do* like that as a T-shirt/sticker idea.) Furthermore, anything else is what *you* bring with you. And as this is the internet, you’re defined by your contributions. That is, you are what you write. I’d consider it a gesture of friendship & respect if y’all try your best to remember this, during your visits here.

214 random girl 02.01.07 at 4:05 pm

i never said meg was cruel. she probably looked at it, thought it was cute, and did not know (as many people who are on here who know fish know) that it was probably dying. however, it seems that it is the case that it is dying and will die, and that makes some people sad, but others ignore that because it is cute.

so, the 100% truth is the fish is in all likely hood dying, but the photo will not be taken down because it is “cute” regardless of that fact.

unlike you, i am not calling names or being “holier than thou” i am stating what is true. it may be drying, but it is still cute, so it stays.

also, unlike you, i am not making generalizations about what other people think about the site. i never said i HATE CO and everyone is so mean.

i like photos of cute animals who are not suffering, which is why i come here.

i also go to animal rights sites every day to remind myself there are people out there who take the lives of animals for granted, and subject myself to images of hideous crulety because someone needs to stand up for those who dont have a voice. and those photos are much more gruesome than these, but that doesnt mean that these are all wonderful. but i dont come here to see that, i come here to see cute.

i dont know, i would rather have the ‘kneejerk -is that animal okay’ reflex, rather than the ‘if you think i am wrong i will just call you names’ one that you seem to have.

i dont think it is ‘holier than thou’ to be concerned that an animal is helpless at the mercy of another, and to try not to propagate the ’squeeeing’ of an animal dying.

215 Theo 02.01.07 at 4:08 pm

PS — if you can’t end your own flame wars, I can.

216 Kim H. 02.01.07 at 4:58 pm

Bring on the fire extinguisher, Theo!

217 EricaE 02.01.07 at 8:42 pm

*Sighs and wheels out the puddinkwerferschnorglekanonen.*

I really had hoped it wouldn’t come to this. *Loads a giant flan.*

218 kestrien 02.01.07 at 8:48 pm

Theo –

“And that slepping puppy really IS dead.”

Is “slepping” like schlupping? Schmoozing? Slurping?

Maybe I should just let slepping puppies lie?

219 Theo 02.01.07 at 8:50 pm

Methinks that’d have to be two big fat flans, EricaE. At the very least. [nodding]

220 Theo 02.01.07 at 8:52 pm
221 SarahR 02.01.07 at 8:55 pm

It was worth wading through all the commentroversy just to see the sweet little movies of Karl – the only fish with his own soundtrack! He’s cute EVEN THOUGH we know that he is doomed to die. Karl, you da fish!

222 EricaE 02.01.07 at 9:04 pm

Loads another flan and tamps it down Then adds a bit of a triffle, a stiff shot of Irish whiskey Dumps the rest of the bottle in.*

Theo… Would you like to light the fuse?

223 Theo 02.01.07 at 9:05 pm
224 EricaE 02.01.07 at 9:20 pm

3…2…1… Flans away!

*Lands with a wobbly splatter on random girl*

225 EricaE 02.01.07 at 9:23 pm

Sorry for the delayed flarnage. I’m finishing up work stuff. :o D

226 Helene 02.01.07 at 9:31 pm

Erica, Theo,

I’m getting no work done today.

(nyam-nyams the flan ammunition)

227 Theo 02.01.07 at 9:32 pm

No, it’s cool, EricaE. Long fuse.

228 Theo 02.01.07 at 9:37 pm

(PS — I “corrected” your spelling. FLARNAGE!!! Muahahaahaha!)

229 EricaE 02.01.07 at 9:50 pm

Gosh what an embarrassing typo! *gasps* Thanks, Theo!

230 Kow 02.01.07 at 10:19 pm

Not trying to start anything, but I have to ask. If stress from puffing up kills the puffer, then how is it an effective defense mechanism??? Makes no sense. And don’t point out how bees die after losing their stingers. Stinging injures and thus keeps predators away from bees. What does puffing accomplish?

231 EricaE 02.01.07 at 10:23 pm

*Loads the puddinkwerferschnorglekanonen with three more giant flans. Aims it at Kow.*

http://tech-meister.com/fotos/2003/sparks.jpg

You all know the drill…. *sighs*

232 Theo 02.01.07 at 11:28 pm

Fair question, though.
[eyes cross]
[ears smoke]
[mouth drools]

233 Puffman 02.02.07 at 2:07 am

Well, if you would bother reading other people’s comments so far, the fish is puffing up with AIR. For a fish, AIR is not good. When in water, the fish puffs up with WATER. From taking all that air that it isn’t supposed to, the “cute fishie” is actually a “cute dead fishie.” People here cry about cats being washed (WTF?) but when an animal is obviously dying or dead the “naysayers” are told to STFU. I love animal lovers to death.

234 Theo 02.02.07 at 2:32 am

You *don’t* know that, Puffman. Not one of the folks commenting here was present when that photo was taken. Building an argument on uninformed assumptions is like building a house on a swamp. I think it’s extremely likely that “Melanie S.” found the fish already puffed up in the water, took a quick photo, and put it right back.

What you’re calling “obvious” doesn’t hold water (or even air).

235 Single Malt 02.02.07 at 3:03 am

Good question Kow, I was wondering that myself. This is taken from the Wikipedia webpage on pufferfish: “As a defense mechanism, puffer fish have the ability to inflate rapidly, filling their extremely elastic stomachs with water (or air when outside the water) until they are almost spherical in shape. Thus, a hungry predator stalking the puffer fish may suddenly find itself facing what seems to be a much larger fish and pause, giving the puffer fish an opportunity to retreat to safety.” This was further down in the same article: “When lifted out of water, puffer fish can inflate with air, but they may have problems deflating again afterwards. When this happens with aquarium specimens, fishkeepers hold the puffer underwater by the tail, head upwards, and shake the fish gently until the air escapes out of the mouth.” Just thought this was interesting.

236 Theo 02.02.07 at 3:35 am

Single Malt — thank you!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffer_fish

(Honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t think of checking Google or Wiki… brain lapse)

237 Puffman 02.02.07 at 4:24 am

No, you “obviously” do not have the ability to speak with dead fish. The Aquaman is my uncle. The poor defenseless baby puffer was later used for its venom at a PETA shelter to euthanize newborn kittens. Sorry, I cannot speak on behalf of the kittens.

238 pyrit 02.02.07 at 2:51 pm

(acoustic guitar, vocal harmonies)
“Puff, the magic fishie, lived by the sea,
And frolicked in the cyber mist in a land called Teh Qteee.
Little Wacky Peepers,
Loved that rascal, Puff
And brought him squees and
nose beepees and other CO stuff.
Together they would marvel at a fish with billowed scales.
Wacky Peeps all kronched on Puff’s anerable tail.

Noble kings and princes would bow whene’er they came,
(sing it louder now, my favorite line here!!!)
Pirate ships would lower their flag when Puff roared out his name! OH!”

239 random girl 02.02.07 at 3:09 pm

Also, the fish only puff because they are under severe stress, which is something you shouldnt willingly do to an animal. Furthermore, the puffing hurt their organs, so they can only do it a limited number of times before they die. But, if they are about to get killed, it gives them another chance.

reference: Is is clear from a recent study that the power of inflating has dramatic effects on blood circulation (due to the increased internal pressure) and on digestion (due to the stomach change in volume), and it is therefore the last resource, that a puffer fish can use for a limited number of times (7 to 12), to avoid death. For this reason we invite all the divers to not provoke puffer fish “inflation”: this means a useless stress for the fish, that significantly reduces its life span.

http://www.edge-of-reef.com/tetraodontidi/tetraodontidien.htm

240 pyrit 02.02.07 at 3:18 pm

Don’t make me say, Argh.
Lookit, too stressy here.
Lighten up or I’ll have to write more ditties.

241 Laurie C 02.02.07 at 4:43 pm

pyrit, don’t you mean shanties?

242 Helene 02.02.07 at 4:44 pm

((must resist))

243 EricaE 02.02.07 at 6:40 pm

Wheels out the trebuchet de pud. Hefts a molded Jello the size of a dump truck onto it whilst humming “Puff the Magic Fishy”. Takes moment to make a few last minute calculations.*

3… 2… 1… Jello mold away!

*The giant Jello shivers as it sluggishly sails through the air. It casts a sickly translucent green, watery shadow as it briefly obscures the sun. Arcing with an ungainly grace it plummets to the earth and on top of it’s chosen victim, random girl.

Entombed in a shimmering, green, prison she can no longer fan the flames… right?*

I’ve no problem with exchanging ideas even those that are controversial. But we you beat people mercilessly about the head and shoulders with your ideas until they submit… That’s when the gloves come off and the Jello mold comes out.

You have made your point… several times… not everyone is going to agree with you.

244 random girl 02.02.07 at 7:47 pm

no, but someone asked a question– how is this a good denfense, and i answered it. so did someone else, but the answer was not complete, so i also contributed. i dont recall calling names or throwing jello or whatever else, and i noticed you didnt throw pretend food at them. i referenced a legitimate site, and said– here is what a legitimate source says is the answer to that.

i have not called anyone names, thrown pretend food, or anything else. how is me answering a question with no nasty intones such an issue?

245 Teri 02.02.07 at 8:03 pm

randomgirl…in case you missed it, the throwing of pudding or jello or cake or other sweet foodstuffs round here is tandamount to “Lightening the mood” or “Making things silly after a rather heavy commentraversy”

That is all.

246 Ven 02.02.07 at 9:00 pm

It seems some people are less averse to the idea of animals being harmed than they are to the idea that they might have to actually think about it.

247 Teri 02.02.07 at 9:06 pm

Fan the flames why don’t you?

Listen, I think I speak for us all when I say that we REALLY do object to being classed as cruel or ignorant simply because we see humour in a picture or cuteness or beauty or whatever positive thing rather than jumping to immediate conclusions of animal cruelty.

So frankly, we get it Ven. Picture taker/senderinner is cruel, we are cruel.

248 Helene 02.02.07 at 9:13 pm

Must be tough having to constantly remind people about the suffering of animals! Especially when your comments are directed to people that already care. What a fulfilling and useful waste of time!

::welcomes the pudding:: CHOCOLATE PLEASE!

249 Ven 02.03.07 at 6:40 am

Right, because “Ewww! I don’t want to think about that!” is a great indication of caring. Kinda like clapping your eyes shut and walking away when you see someone get hit by a car. Real caring means pretending the suffering doesn’t exist so you don’t have to be confronted with its unpleasantness!
It’s not about this specific picture/situation so much as the general attitude of being way more upset by having to think about the issue than the issue itself. Again, people aren’t upset that something might be being hurt, tormented or killed as much as that they’re being forced to think about it, which is profoundly morbid. And before the obvious retort comes up, no, pointing out something’s morbidity isn’t in of itself morbid. It shouldn’t even NEED be said, but apparently it does.

250 Teri 02.03.07 at 5:12 pm

Ven….get over yourself please and thank you.

251 Helene 02.04.07 at 4:42 am

I like how Ven and Ramdom girl don’t even have the courage to use their real names and email addresses…

252 Theo 02.04.07 at 9:35 pm

Bye bye, “Anon”.

253 Helene 02.05.07 at 4:23 am

Anon?

254 SK 02.13.07 at 9:36 pm

This is not cute. The fish probably died.

255 Theo 02.13.07 at 9:45 pm

That *is* too bad, SK. You’re going to hate this, then:
http://www.redlobster.com/discover/dinner.asp
Those fish DEFINITELY died.

256 Helene 02.14.07 at 3:20 pm

OMG Theo, how insensitive! ROTFLMAO

257 random girl 02.28.07 at 9:07 pm

lol, it does say what people have been saying all along though. some people think dead and dying animals is funny.

[link deleted -- go search Snopes.com yourself if you can't live without]

here are photos of an ADORABLE ADORABLE tabby kitten right before it is stomped to death.

we can all smile and laugh at that too ^_^

258 Fable 02.28.07 at 9:18 pm

random girl i think this is sick!
and then Theo will delete my comment has crazy…

259 Theo 02.28.07 at 9:21 pm

Fable, you *are* crazy… but in this case, I agree with you.

260 Fable 02.28.07 at 9:25 pm

well why dont you delete this atrocities mister webmaster…that would be more usefull than being on my back all the time…

261 random girl 02.28.07 at 10:22 pm

i KNOW it is sick. it is sick.

and so are dying fish and lobsters and other animals.

if you post a steamed lobster, – who no doubt died a horrible death- and who have extremely sensitive nervous systems to feel pain, and when left alone in the wild are observed walking claw and claw and taking care of each other, and think it is FUNNY– you think animal abuse is funny.

just because we eat lobsters and fish here and not cats and dogs dont mean they arent suffering.

it is about as funny and cute to see a stomped tabby as it is to see a bloated dying fish or a steamed lobster.

262 Theo 02.28.07 at 10:36 pm

OK, that’s enough.
You’re ranting at the wrong site, Random Girl.

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