Well I wasn’t actively searching for a Russian hamster to bring home as soon as I didn’t feel ready. However I found a russian who I felt needed me the most plus melted my heart – so this little someone found their way home with me on the 9th January.
Humbug is my newest hamily member – he is approximately 3-4 months old and I believe he is a male – very difficult to tell as his belly is so very fluffy but I’m pretty certain boy (although I don’t mind whichever). Humbug has also only has 3 paws after sadly needing his front right paw amputated after sustaining an injury to it – the damage to the paw meant the vets were unable to save his paw – so has a cute little stump which is still a bit red at the end still but was told that the vet said they were happy with the way it was healing and was fine to be adopted as long as he was to be kept on paper bedding and it was closely monitored. Although missing a paw doesn’t seem to affect him in plus you wouldn’t even suspect he missing a paw when you see him running around his cage – he even rest his food on his stump when eating which was adorable to see!
I had a challenge on deciding what to call him – went through my list of names that I liked but couldn’t find the right name for him. So decided when I was out shopping to look down the sweet aisle as I was wanting a name which would tie in with Liquorice name (so therefore a retro sweet) and that’s when I found his name as beside a bag of liquorice sweets was a bag of mint humbugs! I thought the name Humbug was ideal for him especially knowing that he injured his paw around Christmas – and I would be a “bah humbug” if I injured myself badly around Christmas. He already has the nickname “Humbuggy” or “Buggy”!
He is already a real sweetie and is happy to be held so we have been having a cuddle each evening – I allowed him to settle in for a day but as he already used to being handled before I adopted him I thought I would be best to continue especially as it allows me to have a good look at him stump to make sure it still looks good. On the first day of bringing him home he did let out a little screech when he heard me talking to him however curiosity got the better of him and sat their intently listening to me. The initial part of getting out of the cage did startle him I believe this was due to being on medication so associated being picked up with it – so instead offered a toilet paper tube to climb into and he responded well to this. It’s so sweet after I have placed him back into his cage after being handled and leave my hand in his cage he will come over and hop back onto my hand.
Humbug is currently living in my IKEA SAMLA 130l bin cage – he loving the space and all the toys he has especially his wheel – he runs in it without any issue. Here is how I have his cage set up for him – there is a tunnel connecting the shelves and I have since covered his ladder with tissue to be softer on his stump)…
And without further a do – meet Humbug …