R.I.P Benji, I love you xx

[Bailey-Benji]

Sadly Benji passed away last night. I found him curled up in his bed looking peaceful. I hope he went painlessly too.

I got him on the 29th October 2006, when he was 15 weeks old. From the moment I picked him I knew he was going to be a great little guy, he was up to mischeif trying to get to my chocolate fountain as he sat on my kitchen table in his travel case. He settled in quickly and well and loved his imac fantasy. He enjoyed making big mountains of carefresh for his bed and exploring. When he was out he'd explore my room, climb up my CD rack and onto my bedside table, through all my hamster things - stealing oats. He was always so tame and confident.

I'd do anything to see him run around my room without a care in the world, my hyper ball of fluff. To hold him that last time, to say good bye. The last thing I said to him was "Good night Benji, I love you." I never realised I'd never be able to speak to him again.

When I took him to the vet with the swollen stomach on the 28th of March 2007, I thought it was constipation. He had always been such a happy guy. When the vet said he had a tumour/cyst in his abdomen my whole world crashed around me. He predicted he'd have a few months to live.

To see him get bigger and slower was heart breaking. All he wanted to do was sleep, but when he was out he tried so hard to be the little energetic ball of fluff like he used to be. He grew skinnier but he still had a great appetite, the lump was taking all of his nutrition and energy.


I took out the tubes of his imac and I bought him a new cage, which he'll never get to enjoy.

Last night I had him out, he wasn't looking very good. He tried to climb onto a small shelf and fell back, so his little paws were in the air. He couldn't get up again. I had to turn him over. His bottom was covered in poo so I had to clean it up for him. It was an awful job but it was like he knew I was helping him. He put his head on my arm and let me clean his bum. I wrapped him in a towel to dry him off and he fell as sleep on me. We sat like that for 50 minutes as I watched him sleeping, too scared to move incase I disturbed him.

I guess the tumour was too much for him, he was a fighter but I guess his little body couldn't cope with it any longer.

Benji, I love you sooooo much and I hope you had a great life with me. I'd do anything to have you back. I hope you didn't suffer and I'm so glad I didn't have to put you to sleep. I'm glad you passed over whilst I was here, I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't here. Perhaps you knew. You were so young, only 8 months old. It hurts me that you'd never celebrate your birthday. You didn't deserve to die so young or go through what you did whilst having the tumour.


I'm burying him later, I can't face it right now. He looks so peaceful, snuggled up in his bed.

R.I.P Little guy, I love you!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Benji - Mid-July 2006 - 8th April 2007, gone but never, ever forgotten! You'll always have a special place in my heart xxxxxxxxxx

My gorgeous little guy, you meant a lot to me.

Some of my favourite photos:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/ignoremecutebenjcropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/cutebenjicropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/benjifoodcropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/bailben020cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/bailben014cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/bailben013cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/bailben012cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/bailben009cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/pigshams041benjicropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/pigshams029benjicropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/pigshams035benjicropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/sweetbenji4.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/Benj1018cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/Benj003cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/benji012cropped.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/Benj1008cropped.jpg

My favourite video ever: http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/th_CLIP0026.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Bailey2510/Benji/?action=view&current=CLIP0026.flv)

I'd like to thank babyboos for him, he was a great little guy and has given me lots of happy memories.

[suga]

Aww more sadness :-(
You've written such great words and feelings in your post and I am glad you were there when he passed. I'm sure it would have been a comfort to him as it was to you. He certainly has had a good life with you and would have known how loved he was.
Thinking of you.
RIP little benji

[Bailey-Benji]

Thank you, I just can't believe he's gone.

We've just had a funeral for him, buried him in the front garden, with lots of flowers on his grave. We were all crying as we said our good byes, me, my mum and my sister. I covered him in bedding as though he was asleep, he had his little paws under his head.

I can't stop crying. My mum emptied his cage and I've put away. Looking at that part of my room, it looks so empty.

:cry:


ETA: I'm going away for a few days on Wednesday, so in away I'm glad he passed when I was here.

[suga]

Big hugs to you hun.
edit - I got a bit ahead of myself there.

When I lived at home we use to bury all our animals under a tree. It was the best thing, as there was a living memory to them and they were close by - if you get what I mean. I'm glad you had a chance to say good bye today and that you have been able to make a special place for him.

[sai12]

Aww so sad! I'm very sorry! You wrote such a love filled post commemorating him that there is not a doubt in my mind that he lived a very awesome and lovely life with you! :) I'm glad you were there for him in his last days and did all you could for him to be comfortable!

[Jane]

I am so so sorry :( Atleast he went in his sleep in a familiar place and you didn't have to make the decision for him. I'm sure he knew how much you loved him when he passed.

RIP little Benji xx Have fun at the bridge :)

[Basia]

Oh Bailey, I'm so sorry. RIP Benji.

[SnuggleHam]

Sorry to hear about your ham *huggles* and what an adorable ham it was, those pictures were just so precious. Why does it always seem a bunch of hams pass over the rainbow bridge at once? *sigh* You know we all feel for you and support you. :)

[Justine]

I'm so sorry Laura :( He was a little fighter and will always have a place in our hearts. May little Benji rest in peace xxx

[Christine Yule]

I am so sorry to hear about little Benji's passing. :( Your reminiscing was so touching, it made me cry. I am still crying. :cry:

I guess reading about how much you adored your little fellow reminded me of all my "babies" that I have lost recently. I had 36 hamsters a few months ago and now have just 20. All of my "babies" aren't babies anymore. All but 9 are either at or past their estimated lifespan. So the sorrow will continue for me for awhile. I don't want to make you sadder. I just wanted you to know that you aren't alone in feeling that great big empty place in your life. I'm crying with you, sweetie. :cry: :cry:

Hamstermama

[Bailey-Benji]

Thanks for your kind words and support.

I hope where-ever he is he's happy and in full health again. He'll never be forgotten and I guess one day we'll meet again.

[Intense125]

What a beautiful tribute to your precious little guy. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time :cry:

[Widowmaker]

*hugs* to you... that was so sad reading your tribute and seeing those pics. He was an adorable hamster.

It sounds like his passing was peaceful, which is all we can hope for, when our pets pass on.

[Hana]

I'm sorry, your post was so sad and you can tell by the way you wrote it he meant a lot to you.

RIP Benji

[babyboos]

Oh it makes me so sad to see those pictures he was such a character and such a good looking hamster - I just adore the one where he is next to his water bottle - what a face - you couldn't help loving that face could you :oops: :wink: I can't believe he has left us but I am glad it was quick and painless. Sweet dreams little one - you will be missed.

[Holly]

I'm really sorry, RIP little fellow.

I've been following Benji's story on another forum and I'm really sad to read that he's gone. As Babyboos said at least he died at home and in his sleep without suffering for a long time.

I'm absolutely certain, reading your posts, that he had a wonderful life with you and that he would thank you if he could - actually, by falling asleep on you near the end, I think he did. You should be proud of yourself for giving him such a wonderful life.

[Bailey-Benji]

Thanks everyone,

I've printed my favourite picture of my little Benji (next to the water bottle and dog biscuits) on photograph paper and it's hanging on my notice board until I can get a frame for it. He was a gorgeous little fellow and I miss him a lot. :cry:

When he fell asleep on me I was so happy that he trusted me and loved me enough to do so- he was always my hyper Benjifluff. He wasn't looking great but I didn't expect him to pass that night, perhaps that was his way of saying goodbye.

My wee holiday was cancelled too.

[Coco1]

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your little friend. I'm crying my eyes out just reading it. They give us so much joy while they are with us it is heartbreaking when they have to leave us. He had a wonderful and happy life :-)

[pophammy]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Benji was a beautiful ham and had a long and happy life with you. He knows how much you loved him, and you were there for him til the very end. R.I.P little one. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[souffle]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He was so much treasured and a little star now twinkles in the sky for him. I hope your memories will bring you comfort. RIP Benji :cry: