Flat batteries - tragedy or what?

Having just commented on 'Mick in the uk's catnip blog, it made me look over lovingly to my pet corner.
 
To get you up to speed we have 3 cats (Red Lester, Houditoo and Dandy), 2 gerbils (Will and Gareth), 3 fancy goldfish (Spot, Spot and Spot), 2 ordinary goldfish (Sam and Joe) and 3 minnows (This, That and The-other) - hey, blame the kids for most of the names.
 
Sam and Joe are my daughter's and live in her bedroom. This, That and The-other are my son's and live in his bedroom. Will and Gareth live in the living room on the same shelf as Spot, Spot and Spot.
 
I looked over, as I said. Two of the stupid fish are floating on their sides. I understand this is sort of the equivalent of fish indigestion (something about dried food, fat bellies and gas affecting their bouyancy). The lovely Dandy is spread-eagle on top of the gerbils' cage. He is hard and fast asleep. The gerbils are a bit annoyed because they like to sniff the cats while the cats sniff them, but he's not playing because he's out cold. So they're running round like nutters making a hellish noise.
 
I went for my camera but the batteries are as responsive as Dandy. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.