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Nikkigrace
05-23-2013, 04:05 PM
Absolutely gutted to be writing this, and have started writing it a few times in the last hour or so and struggled.... but unfortunately in the early hours of this morning, my beautiful Ernie fluff passed away in my arms.

September 2012, I went to get my first hamster as an adult...and came away with 2, Bert and Ernie. I was smitten immediately.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/04843e63-eba0-4c26-b7db-9efc5d92d808_zps312a416b.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/04843e63-eba0-4c26-b7db-9efc5d92d808_zps312a416b.jpg.html)

The brothers lived happily together for a while and they were an absolute joy to watch playing together and my love of hamsters soon became very clear.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/8a742d3b-f4b6-4f86-bcb2-aeb53633dbe2_zpsc46e652e.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/8a742d3b-f4b6-4f86-bcb2-aeb53633dbe2_zpsc46e652e.jpg.html)

A couple of months later and the boys had too many disagreements and the fighting started, leaving Ernie with a hole in one ear. At this point I separated them and once settled, Ernie really came out of his shell and became the cheeky food loving ham I loved so much.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/b98925e4-8862-4bfc-bdfe-72802c42c409_zpsc5ae9347.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/b98925e4-8862-4bfc-bdfe-72802c42c409_zpsc5ae9347.jpg.html)

And my food loving boy became a very chunky boy indeed, but that’s what made him so loveable

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/ham5_zpsc18ee554.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/ham5_zpsc18ee554.jpg.html)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/06d9c7bc-5e31-4927-a82b-940adbfacc03_zpsa91e3de9.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/06d9c7bc-5e31-4927-a82b-940adbfacc03_zpsa91e3de9.jpg.html)

At the start of the year Ernie became very poorly very quickly and the vet told me his chest infection was so severe that he might not pull through, I knew Ernie was a fighter but there was a few days where even I wondered how long he had left.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/DBC98DA6-6AFF-4CB0-B0B7-5160BEC980C4-1780-000001BAF32E9E77_zps3b9588a2.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/DBC98DA6-6AFF-4CB0-B0B7-5160BEC980C4-1780-000001BAF32E9E77_zps3b9588a2.jpg.html)

Nikkigrace
05-23-2013, 04:06 PM
But he pulled through and with lots of TLC, he was soon himself again

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/edee1a4c-ee2c-4d42-92d1-03a1611dce28_zpseb3e0360.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/edee1a4c-ee2c-4d42-92d1-03a1611dce28_zpseb3e0360.jpg.html)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/c731c69c-65df-4464-b235-69c71dcd90d9_zps04c520d1.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/c731c69c-65df-4464-b235-69c71dcd90d9_zps04c520d1.jpg.html)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/CD11B053-077C-465C-860A-BF0D73DE9F02-4499-0000031705426B65_zpsc67a9e38.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/CD11B053-077C-465C-860A-BF0D73DE9F02-4499-0000031705426B65_zpsc67a9e38.jpg.html)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/C998DFE2-31F6-4CE3-8D69-3B4EA4A47F5E-1069-000000E8BDEDFB02_zpse49e5724.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/C998DFE2-31F6-4CE3-8D69-3B4EA4A47F5E-1069-000000E8BDEDFB02_zpse49e5724.jpg.html)

A few weeks ago I found a lump on Ernie’s side, the vet advised me to monitor it and just keep an eye on how Ernie was in himself. For a few weeks it didn’t seem to bother him but then last week he started limping on that side. I don’t know and wont know whether the lump caused the limp or whether it was down to an injury he somehow managed to sustain in his cage.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/null_zpscbbee559.png (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/null_zpscbbee559.png.html)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/null_zpscb0d9d16.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/null_zpscb0d9d16.jpg.html)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/null_zpse68593f8.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/null_zpse68593f8.jpg.html)

Last night when I got home from work I noticed he wasn’t himself, he hadn’t eaten much food and seemed to be slowing down. As the evening progressed he seemed to get worse and I scooped him out and wrapped him up while I held him. The last hour we spent together was really tough and I know Ernie was really struggling. Through the tears, I told him it was okay to go and be free from his pain...


This was the last photo I took of him before he passed away

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/nikki282/null_zps7d467e15.jpg (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/nikki282/media/null_zps7d467e15.jpg.html)


I will miss you Ernie fluff. Thank you for showing me my love for hamsters. Be free from your pain and enjoy all the food you want now. Look down on Bert from time to time, he will be with you again one day. xxxxxx

kyrilliondaemon
05-23-2013, 04:07 PM
Oh no :( I'm really, really sorry Nikki :(
Play well at the bridge Ernie...

Peachesmum
05-23-2013, 04:20 PM
So, so sorry! :( It is horrible to see them suddenly start struggling and to realise that you cannot save them no matter how hard you try :( That's how I felt when my darling Peaches died this morning :( I hope she and Ernie are playing together now xxx

Gayze
05-23-2013, 04:34 PM
I'm so very sorry for your loss. But what love you gave little Ernie, and what love he returned, while he was with you. I hope it helps you to know that you were a big part of his joy.

Amethyst_ice
05-23-2013, 04:47 PM
I know this was really hard but as I said last night, at least he decided to go to the bridge quickly and being in your arms would have been such a comfort to him.

Big loves to a beautiful boy xxxxx

The Hamster's family
05-23-2013, 05:19 PM
Oh.... so very sorry for your loss... Your love for him shows thru the lines and I have a lot of compassion for you in those hard days... I sincerely think he will help you feel better from the Bridge... Hugs to you...

Enjoy the Bridge, special one... Send a warming wind to the special someone you left behind...

Annie xx

gutterglitterxx
05-23-2013, 05:36 PM
I am so sorry for your loss.

You've written such a beautiful memorial that really shows how much Ernie was loved. I share in your grief as I am still very much mourning my precious Cheeto. I hope we can find peace.

Run free, play well, and sleep tight Ernie. xxxx

moonlite
05-23-2013, 05:44 PM
so sorry for your loss...

GhostsInSnow
05-23-2013, 05:47 PM
Omg I'm so sorry Nikki :( *big hugs*
He had a wonderful life with you and I'm glad you discovered a love for hammies through him :)
Play well at the bridge Ernie <3

Kiki_3173
05-23-2013, 06:19 PM
Oh no Nikki! I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Ernie. Your words express how loved he was. Play well at the bridge little Ernie xx

Sanctuary
05-23-2013, 06:27 PM
He had a full life, so sorry for your loss *hugs*
The pain you feel now is worth all the love you gave and received while you had him xx

DrKMcK
05-23-2013, 07:58 PM
I'm glad he was held and loved as he moved on. I am so sorry for your loss. :-(

jesselle
05-24-2013, 02:17 AM
Sleep tight lovely Ernie. I'll miss seeing your cute little face but I'm glad you're at rest with as many treats as you can eat up there :)

Big hug Nikki! I'm sure Ernie can feel your love xxx

evel_lin
05-24-2013, 02:20 AM
I'm so sorry, he was such a lovely little boy. So much character

icklemunch
05-24-2013, 03:41 AM
So sorry for you loss.
He was such a beautiful boy!!
Run free Ernie x

HamsterCrazy2013
05-24-2013, 06:22 AM
So sorry for your loss. Rip Ernie. He was a gorgeous boy! x

Cupcake
05-24-2013, 02:54 PM
I'm so very sorry for you loss Nikki :(
He was such a wonderful fellow and your bond was so strong xx
Sleepy tight little Ernie x

ANGELBABIES
05-24-2013, 03:13 PM
Sorry for you loss Nikkigrace - you gave him a lovely life. Run free little man xxx

souffle
05-24-2013, 03:20 PM
I am so very sorry. His tribute is beautiful and shows the special bond and love you shared. He will always be with you in your heart.
Play well at the bridge Ernie xx

Biscotti
05-24-2013, 04:05 PM
Very sorry to hear this, I hope you are coping well. :( *hugs* Ernie looked so sweet and I'm sure he had a wonderful full life with you. Sleep well, little one.

Pompompoms
05-24-2013, 05:20 PM
:(:(:( Ernie fluff I was hoping so much you'd be able to hang on long enough to visit and stay with me a while, Bert will have to get double the fuss and treats. Nikki knows how smitten I was with you gorgeous squishy boy, you have a fantastic time at the bridge little one, there are many friends to be made and the poms will show you around xxxx

Nikkigrace
05-26-2013, 01:19 PM
Thanks everyone. I'm missing Ernie so much. I've actually been away for the weekend but to come back home and only have 4 little fluffs to say hello to and not 5 made me very sad indeed :(

shiny
05-26-2013, 02:21 PM
So sorry about Ernie Nikkigrace :( only just caught up & seen this thread.

He was a beautiful boy & those photos are just lovely xx

Panda's_mommy
05-26-2013, 03:16 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss! My pets are my babies, like my kids so I know what you're going through. Ernie was so cute! He's no longer suffering now. And Bert is a cutie also!

fluffydd
06-01-2013, 06:44 AM
I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to little Ernie. He was a beautiful little guy xxx