Do fish count as more than one pet?

The sanctuary was filled with people, there was a lively buzz of excitement in the air and the inviting smell of lasagna wafted out of the kitchen.  The sounds of the drums that were played earlier were still ringing in my ears, and we were in the middle of a heated debate: do fish count as more than one pet?  The game we were playing involves filling in various blocks on a sheet of paper, labeling each section with the person's name that fits the description.  For example, if someone I met in the room had been to a General Assembly (the national meeting held by the Unitarian Universalist Society each June), I could place their name in the box titled "Been to G.A."

It's a game the teens and tweens of our congregation are familiar with.  For each of the middle school and high school rallies we have attended in the past few years. a similar ice-breaking game has been played.  It gives the members of the group a chance to get to know one another and to move around the room in a relaxed fashion.  It also is a great way to find out some interesting information about the game's participants.  Who does speak a foreign language fluently?  Who has lived in more than four states?  Who is a life-long Unitarian Universalist?

As I drove my children to school on Monday morning, I shared with them the events of last Saturday: the hard work the adults put in at the Visioning Workshop, the delicious food and thought-provoking conversation that was shared at the Stewardship Dinner.  And as I related the details of the game mentioned above, I also shared with them how much fun it was to see the adults enjoying themselves as well . . . having as much fun with that particular game as the kids do at their own activities. 

Do fish count as more than one pet?  In a two-cat/lots of fish household, could I legitimately occupy that space labeled "has more than 3 pets?"  It's an important piece of information; I may need it before the Annual RE sleepover March 19.

Denise Pedane, DRE
Mattatuck Unitarian Universalist Society