R.I.P Carmine

[Kirsty1987]

Trying to find the right words right now is difficult I don't think there are any that will sum up just how much I'm going to miss my old boy carmine :( He had to be taken to the vets this morning after discovering he had a big lump on the side of his face that was bleeding. He also had a large lump in his abdomen which we think might have been a tumour, at 2 and a half years not much could have been done and the lump would have only got bigger making him more uncomfortable. So I made the decision to have him put to sleep so he wouldn't have to suffer.
I got carmine in November 2011 as an early christmas present off my ex boyfriend, as soon as I saw him I fell in love with him and knew he was coming home with me. Only one problem I had no money :-/ So off I went to track down my boyfriend at the time and spend 30 minutes begging him to give me the money to get him and eventually he gave in to the puppy dog eyes :P
Went back to the pet store with my friend to get him, then another problem he had a notice on the tank saying he was only being given away free with any cage purchased in store.
I did not have enough money to get the cage and none of them were suitable anyway so asked the member of staff if I could just buy him at the same price the other hamsters were being sold at and she said no :evil: and started showing me the other hamsters they had in store.
But it had to be him the others were lovely but my eyes kept drifting over to carmine sat at the back of his tank like a little buddha and I knew it was him or no hamster at all. But the shop assistant wouldn't let me take him without a cage.
In the end my friend offered to put in some money towards getting a cage so I could have him :D in theory Carmine cost us about £25 worth every penny and my friend kept the cage which never got used.

Carmine when I first brought him home
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w496/DappyDucky/Carmine/DSC02768.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/DappyDucky/media/Carmine/DSC02768.jpg.html)

At first he was terrified of us hiding in the corner if his cage screaming at us when we walked past but after 3 months he settled down and was happy to have cuddles.

He would sleep in the strangest places
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w496/DappyDucky/Carmine/DSCF0603_zps4c6128c7.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/DappyDucky/media/Carmine/DSCF0603_zps4c6128c7.jpg.html)

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w496/DappyDucky/Carmine/DSCF0258.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/DappyDucky/media/Carmine/DSCF0258.jpg.html)

Carmines 1st Birthday
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w496/DappyDucky/Carmine/DSCF0303_zpsc59d9665.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/DappyDucky/media/Carmine/DSCF0303_zpsc59d9665.jpg.html)

The funniest picture I have of him always makes me laugh
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w496/DappyDucky/Carmine/DSCF0274_zps3686f3f4.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/DappyDucky/media/Carmine/DSCF0274_zps3686f3f4.jpg.html)

Sleepy boy
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w496/DappyDucky/Carmine/DSC02925.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/DappyDucky/media/Carmine/DSC02925.jpg.html)

Cuddles and treats off daddy on his 2nd Birthday
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w496/DappyDucky/Carmine/c626cf90-88ca-4dc2-8502-e0a697b340f2_zps9ab6931e.jpg (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/DappyDucky/media/Carmine/c626cf90-88ca-4dc2-8502-e0a697b340f2_zps9ab6931e.jpg.html)

Play well at the rainbow bridge carmine. Maya, Zach and Uri will be there waiting for you, I love you and will miss you so much but I know your at peace now and don't have to suffer. You had a great life and lived to a good old age and I couldn't have asked for more xxxxx

[Mrs Livingston]

I'm so, so, sorry for your loss. Your words oozed with love for your little one and it sounds as though he had a wonderful life with you.

Big hugs during this very difficult time.
Play well, little man x

[fluffydd]

I'm so sorry that you had to say goodbye to Carmine. I know how hard that must have been for you.

You've written a lovely memorial for Carmine. It is so wrong that the shop assistant made you buy a cage. I'm glad your friend was able to help you. The photos you've posted of Carmine are beautiful. I can see why you fell in love with him straight away.

Hugs from me and Ligeia

[DrKMcK]

Carmine's story and his photos are wonderful. He was a handsome Golden and he was so obviously well loved. That picture of him scratching is just priceless...one in a million. It is so hard to make that final decision for them, but he did have a good long life, and letting him go was a real loving thing to do for him. I know you will miss him so very much. {hugs} to you with my sympathy. Play well at the bridge Carmine :-(

[souffle]

I am so sorry. He was a treasure of a hamster and so handsome.
Play well at the bridge Carmine x

[The Hamster's family]

I'm truly sorry you had to make this difficult decision... It's never easy to see them go and I can only hope knowing he is now in peace and not suffering anymore will help you feel a little better... He had an amazing life filled with love and nice cares and sincerely, that's more than a lot of little hammies can hope for... You now have a little angel guarding you from the Bridge... Many hugs to you...

Rest well, precious one... Blow a kiss to that special human you left behind when you can...

Annie xx

[Kirsty1987]

Thank you all so much for the lovely messages it means a lot to me x

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

Oh, Colby J looks like him.

Play well, gorgeous ham xoxoxo

[Scoobysue]

I'm so very sorry for your loss, and for the difficult decision that you had to make for Carmine. He looks to have been a wonderful boy - those are such memorable photos.

Play well little Carmine xxx

[racinghamster]

Carmine was full of life and you can clearly see his character coming through in your images Kirsty. Remember the good times and the wonderful life he had. x

[SquishyHelium]

I'm sorry for your loss, what a beautiful little hamster. It must have been fate that brought you together at the start xx

[Hamsterz4Life]

RIP Carmne. Some adorable picture of him there. He sure looked a Happy Hamster! xx