Coffee!

[Hekomi]

My SO just went and picked up Coffee. He seemed quite chill and laid back, though his cage left much to be desired. I knew it'd be small, but he has a teeny water bottle and a rickety wheel, and fluffy bedding! Once we got upstairs the first thing to go was the fluffy bedding. I refilled his water bottle. I'll see how he does with it (how often we need to change it, etc.) and I'll keep an eye on his wheel. It looks clunky and loud, but if he likes to run I'll get him a silent spinner 6'. He's very tiny and very frail.

He's two, and was adopted from a lady at the pet store whose daughter previously owned him. He's definitely an elderly ham, but he's very sweet. He's lived in a habitrail, from what I can tell, his whole life. I will see how adjusted he is to it and then consider moving him. Right now I would not.

He's a bit wobbly, and he needs a nail trim. I probably won't bother with the nails until he gets more comfortable. He weighs 43g which is almost 10g lighter than my two boys.

He's been fed some sort of mix with sweet corn, but his treats had no sugar. Yay! He's got really long legs and some lovely little eyelashes! I'm hoping to move him slowly from his food mix to oxbow. She gave me an extra bag of bedding, some nesting stuff (the crinkled paper), and some food. So I can wean him slowly.

He's not really the most photogenic hamster and he was shaking when my SO and I held him, so we only held him to do a quick weigh in (and also for me to verify he was a boy) and then we put him back. I'm getting our other hamsters some supplies next week so I might go pick up a new water bottle, wheel and possibly a tank for him. We'll see.

Here's a picture!

http://i.imgur.com/iacYYtZl.jpg

I'll keep you guys updated. :) Hopefully he gets used to me soon!

[Esmy]

Aww he's so cute! Hopefully he will perk up soon!

[Hekomi]

Let's hope! I don't want to try and clip his nails, he's just old and little. If anything I'd take him to the vet. He probably could use a check up anyways. I'll see if can maybe take him in in a couple weeks or so. .

[Hekomi]

He woke up for a bit so I tried to snap some more pics. I posted about his wobbling, but I really think it's just his age catching up to him. ^^; Hopefully we have a few more good months where he can get to know us.

http://i.imgur.com/5fOqd2Ol.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Cky6g1gl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/exQ2bmZl.jpg

He doesn't really open his eyes very wide, but he will at times. I think he's just tired right now, I imagine he'll perk up a bit later since he had a stressful evening.

[DrKMcK]

Oh, the wee little old man. My heart <3

[Hekomi]

He looks like a fluffy, grumpy old man lol! He's quite cute. I hope he gets comfy with us soon he seems so calm and gentle. He sat in both our hands briefly but was shaking so we put him back and he's just been sleeping, eating and grooming. No running but honestly we kinda hope he doesn't. He has an icky cage kit wheel and it knocks the side and bars... He will so keep me awake if he's an avid runner! He apparently loves his exercise ball though.

[DrKMcK]

I wish I was nearby. I have extra wheels :-(

[Hekomi]

That would be so appreciated lol. I'm hoping if he is a runner it's not too bad. And I can pick him up a new wheel on Tuesday (and waterbottle his is tiny!!!).

But if he isn't going to use it I probably won't replace it. It looks like it's been well love though.

[Hekomi]

I noticed he hasn't really pooped, so I gave him some olive oil and baby food. He's drinking normally, I'm assuming he's just stressed. His bum looks a bit pink which is worrying, but we'll keep an eye on it. Hope is that it's nothing.

Some better pictures of our old man:
http://i.imgur.com/M7Kmx7Jl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tt0mPl5l.jpg

[DrKMcK]

Oh, oh. I wish I could pet him What an adorable old ham-man. :-D <3

[Hekomi]

He has a little like... loft that goes off from his habitrail that he can access. He climbed over into it and it has a little bulb that lifts up. I lifted it up and he crawled right into my hands. He was shaking a bit, but otherwise he seemed okay.

There's a ramp in his house and there are some chews on it. He kinda tried going up while I was watching him but changed his mind halfway through. I put a cucumber up there, so if it's eaten/gone in the morning I'll know he uses it. If not I'll consider taking it out. Same with the wheel.

He's pretty darn cute though. He has more winter white colouring than anything else but I'm pretty certain he's a hybrid.

[Hekomi]

SO wants to call him Grenada or Grenade now, lol.

Considering Java is also called Luna or Roxy, he might have several names... :P

[Scoobysue]

Welcome, Coffee. I'm so glad you've come to live with Hekomi. She's going to make you so comfortable and give you lots and lots of love.

[BrainGirl]

He's beautiful Hekomi, congratulations:)

[Hekomi]

Thanks guys! Were working on making him comfortable right now. I'll be removing his loft and wheel since he used neither. He has a worrying little pink bump near his anus but I'm hoping that will clear up over the next few days. I think considering his age and condition we might have another month or maybe a bit more. He seems comfortable and happy but the bump near his anus is worrying. He did make some poops though, but it could be an infection and I doubt the poor little man would appreciate another car ride to the vet and subsequent check up and medicine. I'll be able to give him a better assessment in maybe a week once he's settled in more. He's super friendly still, but I can feel how skinny he is. Hopefully he's not in any pain whatsoever.

[Hekomi]

LOL my SO just said "you know when someone walks in they'll immediately know who our favourite hamster is. They'll be like 'what did that one do?'"

Since my boys are in a 40gal java is in a 25gal and Coffee is in ancrittertrail

[DrKMcK]

LOL my SO just said "you know when someone walks in they'll immediately know who our favourite hamster is. They'll be like 'what did that one do?'"

Since my boys are in a 40gal java is in a 25gal and Coffee is in ancrittertrail

LOLOLOLOLOLOL! I am still laughing over this. Poor Coffee :-D :-D :-D

[Hekomi]

I feel bad for him. It doesn't smell great and has seen better days but I don't want to move him. Poor little guy. I dread having to clean it out, I'm going to end up soaking and scrubbing the whole thing for hours

[DrKMcK]

Don't feel bad Hekomi. He doesn't know anything different. If he seems settled in with you now, you don't have to keep him in that cage for his whole life. It was only until he seemed to be comfortable. Just make sure his toys and some of his bedding moves with him. At his age he shouldn't have any level or tubes, just all one level. Did you have another home in mind for him?

[Hamsterz4Life]

You finally got the little fella from that pet store lady! Coffee is hamdorable xx

[Hekomi]

I was considering getting a 20gal tank for him, but I'm worried he might not be up for that. He navigates his house pretty much with his eyes shut.

And thanks :) he's snuggled up asleep.

[Hamsterz4Life]

I was considering getting a 20gal tank for him, but I'm worried he might not be up for that. He navigates his house pretty much with his eyes shut.

And thanks :) he's snuggled up asleep.

As Coffee is quite old and has lived in that cage for 2 years. As long as you handle and play with him a lot(which we know you will) then I would just keep him in that cage, to avoid any stress.. x

[DrKMcK]

Play it by ear. He may be so used to his house that it would confuse him to move. I'd give him more time. It's difficult because you want to give him good things and not confuse him. Maybe what he has now is good enough? By the way I was just looking at the post by Vectis. She has new babies whose eyes just opened. Oh, are they cute. You gotta see them. :-D

[Hekomi]

Yeah I don't want to confuse him. The lady said he hustles to his loft but I put a treat and cucumber up there and he didn't use it so I don't think he uses that part of the cage.

I'll see how he does over the next week or so.

I saw the babies!!! So cute! It makes me want my own :)

[Hekomi]

Will upload some pictures soon! I'm going to keep his health on the thread on the healthcare chat and just talk about him here. :)

He came out to visit SO and me today and I snapped some pics. He doesn't like the flash so they're all without the flash except the first few. I'll upload them soon!

He won't be getting a new cage I don't think. It would be too confusing for my little old man.

[Hekomi]

http://i.imgur.com/jenTcQil.jpg
I'm very dapper :3

http://i.imgur.com/UzPfVsIl.jpg
Are you my mummy?

http://i.imgur.com/qafB7aMl.jpg
Daddy smells nice...

http://i.imgur.com/8O3mCzbl.jpg
*yawn* getting sleepy... (you can see the damp spot on his side from the cucumber)

http://i.imgur.com/6HmQ4H0l.jpg
I like pats :3

Trying to take as many nice pictures of him now so we have them. He's such a sweet old man. I do say I feel a bit overwhelmed because I'm worrying about his health, and I hope he's not in pain and happy, but I'm glad we can give him a nice, loving home.

[BrainGirl]

He's adorable:) I love the cowlicks on his face!

[basilthehammy]

Awwwww he is such a handsome hammy!!

[Hekomi]

Hehe thanks! He has some gorgeous eyelashes. Wish I could get a picture of them!

[DrKMcK]

He has typical old man hair, that spikey look is too cute. Hekomi, I don't know how long he has, but don't count him out just yet. Some dwarfs get to 3 and beyond. He looks pretty alert. He may be wobbly and sleep a lot, but otherwise, he looks pretty good. He also isn't a bad weight. What I do with the old ones is just go day by day and enjoy each one. :-D Is it my imagination, or is he getting attached to your SO? :-D

[Hekomi]

That's good to hear. I'm dreading his cage clean, since previously his owner put him in a ball and I really don't want to do that.

And yes, haha he likes him very much. Probably because he's not like me, trying to do little health checks on him.

[Hekomi]

Coffee came out for some high fibre veggie noms. He's been eating, pooping and drinking well. What a good boy! Sleeping mostly, but he's stuffing his pouches right now! He looks like a real cutie.

When I went to see him he could tell my hands smelled good! I had just finished giving the boys and Java some spinach and broccoli too!

http://i.imgur.com/01GfkFcl.jpg
Nom!!! I like this!

http://i.imgur.com/NjZLfqzl.jpg
If this isn't hamster bliss, I don't know what is! These shots make me feel warm and fuzzy :)

http://i.imgur.com/hLS1L9Ml.jpg
We turned the flash off since it was bugging him a bit. Not as crisp, but I love how he is hugging the broccoli.

http://i.imgur.com/XuWyjMPl.jpg
A close up! He wanted to eat ALL the broccoli!

http://i.imgur.com/YN6yotkl.jpg
Thank you DrKMcK for the pringle lid dish idea! Coffee loves being able to access his new dish. :) He's got a small piece of broccoli and a spinach leaf, and he's been drinking (I can tell by the marker). He's stuffed his cheeks full of whatever he likes, and has hobbled back to his pod for a munch and a snooze!

I had half a mind to see if I could get a picture of him in a sleeve, but I figured he wouldn't like that, but it would have been nice to see the little old man as HOM. <3

[BrainGirl]

Aww, he is a very photogenic little ham:)

[Hekomi]

He's definitely getting there! He doesn't quite like the flash though, poor guy.

[BrainGirl]

Slightly off topic: that cheese wedge shaped toy in his cage, is it paper mache? Did you make it?

[Hekomi]

I have /no/ idea. It looks ceramic. It came with his cage. He wove through it a bit, and seems to have a fairly indifferent opinion of it.

[BrainGirl]

Hmm...I'm now tempted to try making one out of papier mache...

[Hekomi]

I bet you could! I think my other hams would love it. I imagine after he passes I'll sanitize it and one of my other babes will use it. It's just adorable. :> I wish he played in it more.

[Scoobysue]

Aw, Coffee looks like he's just loving that broccoli!

[Hekomi]

He loved it soooo much. He ate up the broccoli and the spinach I have him. So did my other dwarfie boys. My Syrian ate the spinach but only a bit of her broccoli. I checked on him this morning and he's still with us. :) when we wakes up I'll check his health out.

[ANGELBABIES]

You are doing a wonderful job with little Coffee. Awww bless him - no matter how little time you have with him, he knows he is being absolutely LOVED. Give him a gentle cuddle from me xxx

[Hekomi]

Awh, thank you! I really hope he's enjoying things and he's comfortable. :) I will do that when he wakes up. I believe he's still asleep.

[DrKMcK]

I love his tousled old man look. He is really the cutest little thing. He doesn't know he's old. He just does his thing and enjoys life. He looks so comfortable in your hands eating his veggies. Life is good :-) {gentle hammy pats} on his little head from me. <3

[Hekomi]

He has the cutest eyebrows, lol. He likes eating veggies from me but I think he likes my SO better. When he's awake I'll definitely give him some pats! When I'm home I check on him every few hours to make sure his breathing is normal, but I really try not to wake him unless necessary. He wakes up every so often though :)

[Hekomi]

SO has advised me that Coffee is staying up to 45g now and the worry spot on his bum isn't visible!

Whoo! He's loving his baby food, but doesn't like the polysporin on his bum. He tries to bite me, but he loves his baby food afterwards.

I think the fully cleaned cage really helped (even if it's just in my mind).

[Esmy]

Yay for coffee! :) Can't blame him about stuff on his butt. lol

[Hekomi]

So with the clogged scent gland I'm a bit worried about him. I mentioned my concern to my mum, who is usually not very supportive of our fur babies. I mentioned I hoped id be able to notice when he's ready to pass and wanted to have him pass away in a blanket in our hands. My mum had asked if we had such a blanket, and I said no. Within a few hours she texted me back to let me know she had knitted him a small white blanket. Got a bit testy. Now Coffee has a nice blankie when his time comes.

[Esmy]

Aww that is so nice of her!

[Hekomi]

It's really, really sweet. It's a little white blanket with a ribbed edge. :) Nice and soft too.

He's not looking better, but he's also not looking worse. He enjoyed eating his baby food, though didn't open his eyes at all while doing so. His breathing looked pretty heavy... so I'll probably keep my eye on him throughout the day. He looked like he was falling asleep in the baby food.

[BrainGirl]

What a beautiful gesture on the part of your mum, Coffee is a very lucky ham to have so many thoughtful humans gathered around him in his old age x

[Hekomi]

I was really touched she did it. She isn't really all for the hamsters, since she thinks they tie us down and they're "children's pets" but this was super sweet of her.

He's asleep by his food and breathing really heavily... It's a bit worrying. I'm keeping my eye on him, but we was still eating.

[MissLanage]

What a lovely colour! Bless him <3

[fluffydd]

Coffee's blanket sounds lovely. It's very sweet of your mum to make it.

[zany_toon]

Awww, what a sweet old hamman :) He is gorgeous, I hope he does ok with his scent gland though. And that was really lovely of your mum :)

[Hekomi]

http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/memorials/50604-coffee-my-dapper-little-ham.html#post614474

My little dapper man has passed on. I've written a memorial here. xx This can be closed.