Thank goodness I have pictures to remember him by as well as the good times! :smile:

So before I start crying again, here we go! :smile:

*** The beginning! ***

A suitable spot in the living room close to the family found, here's the brand new aquarium!
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/1.jpg

Filtration, lighting, skimmer, sand, and sea water all setup and waiting!:
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/2.jpg

Two large pieces of live rock introduced to begin the cycling process!:
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/3.jpg

(Continued next post...)

After cycling, more live rock, a hamster tunnel (not pictured), pvc pipe, a treasure chest, some snails, hermit crabs, and a couple shrimp added for a bimac's amusement :wink::
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/4.jpg

*** Thomas is brought home from OctoPets! ***

This next pic was taken 5/28/05, about a day after I brought Thomas home (I had forgotten how big he already was when I got him!):

Here he is exploring the treasure chest:
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/5.jpg

Here's the Ferret Toy that he couldn't stand just looking at from afar:
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/6.jpg

(Continued next post...)

Here's a couple shots of Thomas checking out the hamster tunnel :mrgreen: :
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/7.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/8.jpg

"Hmmn, what's in this rock I wonder?", says Thomas :mrgreen::

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/9.jpg

(These photos were taken 5/29/05. Continued next post...)

Here's Thomas, curious as usual about the strange blue thing I'm holding :wink::

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/10.jpg

These next shots were taken 6/2/05, you can get a better feel for his size:

Here's Thomas, too curious about the camera :smile::
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/11.jpg

"Who is this guy and what is that strange silver thing? If I could just get my tentacles around it!!", says Thomas :mrgreen: :
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/12.jpg

Thomas, lounging by the pirate treasure chest:
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/13.jpg

(Continued next post...)

This next batch of photos were taken 2/21/06 in the evening:

Thomas, sensing it may be shrimp buffet time! :mrgreen:
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/14.jpg

Thomas comes all the way out the water to say hello and grab a shrimp (the white blurry thing to the right in the photo :razz: ):
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/15.jpg

Thomas decides to head back to his den to eat his shrimp:
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/16.jpg

Thomas, just before he ducks back into his den to enjoy his shrimp meal :smile: :
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/17.jpg

(Continued next post...)

*** Thomas' last days ***

This next batch of photos were taken just recently, 4/16/06:

Thomas, out for an evening stroll :smile: :
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/18.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/19.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/20.jpg

Thomas saying hi :mrgreen: :
http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/21.jpg

(Continued next post...)

Thomas saying hi again :smile: :

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/22.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/23.jpg

*** Last night ***

Thomas, sensing the end is near, comes out one last time to say goodbye :cry: :

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/Thomas_a1.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/Thomas_a3.jpg

(Continued next post...)

Final photo of Thomas, taken about 3 hours before his death, after moving him over so he can still see us and rest on the skimmer :cry::

http://members.cox.net/mbrown777/Thomas_b1.jpg

Thank you for viewing :sad:

Thank you Blackie for sharing a celebration of the life of Thomas with us. He looked like such a happy little octo, and cute too! Cherish the memories -- he was as much a blessing for you as you were for him. Thanks again for sharing!

What a nice memorial for Thomas. He had a good life with you and obviously enjoyed exploring his tank.

Maybe you should put these photos in an album devoted to Thomas.

Nancy

What a grand old timer. Active right up until the end.
I hope i can be as in shape when im that grey.
Good Job black

wow. you were such a great parent to the little octo.. r.i.p tomas.


chris

He was such a sweetie. What a joy he must have been. I know you'll miss him terribly, but you gave him a great life.

This was a great tribute to him. I think Nancy's idea of doing a photo album dedicated to Thomas is a great idea. He was a beautiful creature.

Carol