They’re kept in heartbreaking conditions — confined to tiny cups filled with cold, dirty water. But on a trip to PetSmart about a month ago, something compelled her to check on the betta fish.

"Could I do a large water . . . but make it dirty?" I anxiously ask the unlucky employee working the Sonic drive-thru. He says yes, but I can hear the laughter in his voice. I say thank you and ...