Nancy

[evel_lin]

My old little girl passed away peacefully last night. Aside from lots of drinking and weeing during the time we had her she didn't show any signs of being ill. I went to put some sweetcorn in her cage and found her curled up in the open. At first I thought she was sleeping but then I realised she was very weak and fading fast. She spent the next hour+ in my arms to stay warm and gently faded away.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/12379764265_c107cee75f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/12379764265/)
DSC_0164 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/12379764265/) by evel_lin (http://www.flickr.com/people/evel_lin/), on Flickr

I wasn't originally planning on getting a 6th hamster but after seeing her sweet little face and knowing that at almost 2 years old she was unlikely to find a good home and wasn't wanted by her current owners I fell in love with her.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/12380196374_d3fb90c045.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/12380196374/)
DSC_0169 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/12380196374/) by evel_lin (http://www.flickr.com/people/evel_lin/), on Flickr

She arrived in such a tiny cage. The bars were chewed, the wheel was tiny and there was just a thin layer of woodshavings that needed a change. I put her in her Alaska and watched her exploring and enjoying her new space. She spent so much time digging, like she'd never had a chance to do it before

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/11014633333_299373d358.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/11014633333/)
DSC_0990 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/11014633333/) by evel_lin (http://www.flickr.com/people/evel_lin/), on Flickr

She was such a character. In the evenings she'd chew on the bars to get our attention if she knew we were in the room. When we got her out she'd explore for ages. If we put her back in her cage too early she'd start bar chewing again.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/11014677283_3b3c7b77da.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/11014677283/)
DSC_0985 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/11014677283/) by evel_lin (http://www.flickr.com/people/evel_lin/), on Flickr

She frequently climbed up on her bars and tried to swing across. She'd then fall but immediately start climbing again. She was a bit of a dare devil or maybe just a bit daft. We'd often have to rescue her whilst she dangled with just 3 paws holding on

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/11196749063_8b067e89b7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/11196749063/)
DSC_0097 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/11196749063/) by evel_lin (http://www.flickr.com/people/evel_lin/), on Flickr

We always knew her time with us would be short. In the end we just had 2.5 months. But she got to have Christmas with us and was spoiled with tasty food and treats. She was safe and warm and loved.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/12379878453_5dff5ce4c1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/12379878453/)
DSC_0177 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/evel_lin/12379878453/) by evel_lin (http://www.flickr.com/people/evel_lin/), on Flickr

Sleep peacefully beautiful girl

[LoveMyHams]

Nancy had a great retirement with you :) She must have thought she was in heaven already with all the great toys and bedding to dig!

[ANGELBABIES]

No words are enough to describe what you have given to this little fluff. She found her forever home at last, and got the love and care she deserved. Run free at the bridge little one.

[cactus]

I'm so sorry to hear about Nancy, it sounds as though she had an amazing time with you at her forever home. Play well at the bridge Nancy xx

[SinNyx]

Really sorry to hear about your loss....she has such a wonderful little story behind her, what a gorgeous looking girl...at least she got to be in your presence as she passed over the bridge x

[JBH316]

What a beautiful girl - sleep tight Nancy x

[Mama2six]

I am glad you found her struggling, and were able to hold her! Such a sweet hamster. I'm glad you found each other, even though good-bye's are always hard!

[Hambobs]

I remember reading Nancy's thread when you got her, and thinking what beautiful markings she had. It's sad she had to leave you after such a short time together, but as you said, at least she spent it in a loving home & she went peacefully.

Rest in peace, Nancy...

[AlexWyattMommy]

I feel like I knew her from your photos and descriptions. I am so glad she got to spend her twilight with you and your family. It is easy to see she was much loved. I am glad you were able to send to the bridge feeling your love.

[racinghamster]

Just seen this evel_lin, really sorry to hear Nancy passed on, but you gave her a great end of life and I`m sure she brought some sunshine into yours while you had her. Sweet dreams Nancy, we will miss you. x

[chulasweetchica]

So happy you and Nancy found each other. She had a sweet loving life with you. Sweet dreams Nancy.

[evel_lin]

Thank you for the lovely comments everyone. I know it's been said a hundred times before but it is so wonderful to have a forum like this where no one will say she was "just" a hamster.

My beautiful girl is now buried in a peaceful spot in the garden and her cage has been put away in the garage until we're ready to welcome another fur baby into the family. I need to rearrange the space in the lounge where her cage was, I keep looking for her and wondering why I've not seen her waddling around today :(

[Syrian Hammy]

Nancy was very lucky to have found you. You made her last few months extra special. Sleep soundly beautiful girl.

[The Hamster's family]

I'm very sorry she had to leave you... SHe was well taken care of and felt loved... Never forget that not all hammies get to experience that. So be blessed for loving her and caring for her...

Run free, sweet little one... Enjoy everything available at the Bridge...

Annie xx

[Pompompoms]

Am am so happy this lovely lady got to spend her last months with you. She had the best retirement, and would have been so happy about how things worked out for her. She found real love and care in the end, and it warms my heart. Play well little one xx

[souffle]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a beautiful and gentle girl she was.
Play well at the bridge Nancy x

[fluffydd]

I'm sorry that you didn't have more time with Nancy but you did a lovely thing taking her in and giving her a happy few months with you. I'm sorry that she's left you. That's a wonderful memorial that you wrote for her and she was a beautiful girl.

[evel_lin]

Thank you :)

[DrKMcK]

Hello evel_lin, You really did a wonderful thing in taking Nancy in. One look and I can see that she was an older ham. Hamsters, like all animals, have no real time sense. 2.5 months to a hamster is a very long time. She should have had better in her life, but you stepping in like that? Well, that's what made up for anything that was missing in her life. You gave her a very special gift, freedom to explore, good things to eat, a home that provided all the digging her heart could want, and a loving voice; her own human who loved her. I wish people would take care of their pets, be it a hammy or a horse. But, at least, there are people like you to step in to change a little life. Play well at the Bridge Nancy :-(

[Kelibr]

Oh how sweet. I'm sorry for your loss but glad her last days were great.

[manders31]

She was so beautiful and you made her last months so happy!

Play well at the bridge :)

[BrainGirl]

Such a beautiful character, so sad you only had a short time together but happy too that you crossed paths x

[Clairealex]

I'm so sorry to hear about Nancy's passing, but what a wonderful send end of life you gave her. She knew love and care and you should be so proud you gave her that.

Sleep tight little nancy xxx

[Lyss]

R.I.P Nancy <3
:( I just lost Moo Moo today :'( and I'm devastated... Coming here makes me feel at ease, knowing that the pain will fade and only the good memories will remain.
I know both Nancy and Moo are having the best of times, waiting for us <3