Can't decide :/

[EthanL62]

Originally Posted by Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters

I agree that when you buy a pet it is a life long contract. You have promised to take care of it through thick and thin no matter what happens. And what if the syrian turn out to be a nasty mean animal? You will have gotten rid of your precious little one for nothing. Also if it is your RC dwarf with the aggression problems you are thinking of rehoming I strongly advise you DONT DO IT! I went through the same with Pippy when the problems started, it was difficult but I got through it and now I could never separate from her, I love her so much. Please please PLEASE keep your hamsters, they depend on you, dont let them down

Hi Erin. Thank you for your rather long response like always. I wasn't thinking of rehoming the one with the problem. I read that someone said it would be unfair to give it to someone with not much understanding. Firstly, myself I don't have much understanding about hamsters problems.. and secondly I understand it is my promise to take care of the hamster, as I did buy it.

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Ethan, you have just said yourself

my hamsters haven't got to know me very well as I haven't had them long.

you havent even given them a chance for you to become attached. It can take weeks or months for some people. I hated Thistle the first 3 weeks I had her, she is now the strongest bond I have and the thought of losing her breaks my heart. As I have already said I didnt get along with Pippy either because she became such a handful, it took 4 months of willing myself to support her for me to form a bond. With some hamsters it takes longer than others depending on the hamster or owner.

The point is though its not about whether you are attached to the hamster right now or not, its the fact that it is very very WRONG to rehome him on the excuse that you want a different one. People have said it above what if you see a brand new hamster in a few weeks and want to 'swap' them because your 'not attached to it'. What happens then? Do you just keep doing that?
In the end it shouldnt be down to what you want it is down to what your hamsters NEED!
The fact that you want to trade hamsters and you say that all they need are food and water disgusts me and all of us. You are sounding incredibly immature and irresponsible.

Look I am sorry that I have started being harsh but if there is one thing that makes me cross to the point where I dont care who I am talking to or how I say it then it is people treating animals like disposable objects thinking that if the animal doesnt meet their standards or keep them entertained then they can just get rid of them like that. it is just plain disgusting.

Edit I ranted on for so long that I hadnt seen the posts above Anywho, Im done with my ranting now.

[EthanL62]

Edit I ranted on for so long that I hadnt seen the posts above Anywho, Im done with my ranting now. [/QUOTE]

Yes I thought you didn't see it. Look I didn't mean to disgust ANYONE in any way. I just needed some advice and... I clearly got it. Also you said that I said, "A hamster only needs food and water and it will be fine". I also didn't mean that. I added and the correct care, meaning attention. I can understand some of your (and other peoples) feelings, as most of you are avid hamster fans, I can understand and I will take your criticism.

[samincittagazze]

Originally Posted by EthanL62

Yes but, my hamsters haven't got to know me very well as I haven't had them long. I understand what your saying, if I got very attracted to them, no way would I swap them.

I was wondering if this was the case, as you don't appear very bonded to your little ones. Perhaps you need to spend more time getting to know them, and their little quirks and habits? Once you've fallen for them you won't be able to conceive of the idea of giving them up. Taming takes time and work, and starting all over again with a Syrian will not make that easier.

I think in your heart of hearts you know what you are suggesting is wrong, which is why you are trying to justify it. You seem to know buying a living being then giving up because a more interesting prospect has come along is not appropriate, whether you are attached or not. I know it's very hard dealing with an animal with behavioural conditions, and it's certainly not what you signed up for, but the hamster didn't sign up for any of this either. You have a responsibility to him/her now, in the same way you would have a responsibility to a dog, a cat or even a child. Giving it away, even to a good home, is not facing up to that responsibility. There is a lot of advice and support here for you to help you along, but I doubt you are going to find a single member on here who thinks it is acceptable to swap one animal for another.

Do you mind me asking how old you are? I'm guessing by your writing style and some of the things you've said you are a young teenager (apologies if not). Have you discussed this over with your parents? What do they say?

I am trying very hard to be gentle and non-accusatory here, because you came here for advice and that is what I am trying to give. I really hope you don't feel bullied or upset by the strength of conviction in the replies you have received. But I also hope you see that so many of us are responding so animatedly because we are absolutely certain that you would be making a wrong move here. Give your current little ones a chance, please.

EDIT - So there were about 10 new replies by the time I'd finished typing this! I'll leave it as is anyway, as the points still stand.

[EthanL62]

Originally Posted by samincittagazze

I was wondering if this was the case, as you don't appear very bonded to your little ones. Perhaps you need to spend more time getting to know them, and their little quirks and habits? Once you've fallen for them you won't be able to conceive of the idea of giving them up. Taming takes time and work, and starting all over again with a Syrian will not make that easier.

I think in your heart of hearts you know what you are suggesting is wrong, which is why you are trying to justify it. You seem to know buying a living being then giving up because a more interesting prospect has come along is not appropriate, whether you are attached or not. I know it's very hard dealing with an animal with behavioural conditions, and it's certainly not what you signed up for, but the hamster didn't sign up for any of this either. You have a responsibility to him/her now, in the same way you would have a responsibility to a dog, a cat or even a child. Giving it away, even to a good home, is not facing up to that responsibility. There is a lot of advice and support here for you to help you along, but I doubt you are going to find a single member on here who thinks it is acceptable to swap one animal for another.

Do you mind me asking how old you are? I'm guessing by your writing style and some of the things you've said you are a young teenager (apologies if not). Have you discussed this over with your parents? What do they say?

I am trying very hard to be gentle and non-accusatory here, because you came here for advice and that is what I am trying to give. I really hope you don't feel bullied or upset by the strength of conviction in the replies you have received. But I also hope you see that so many of us are responding so animatedly because we are absolutely certain that you would be making a wrong move here. Give your current little ones a chance, please.

Thank you for your response. I really can understand what your saying. I can take insults. However, I don't believe this is the case. I'll put peoples thoughts to good use.

I have a hamster like Erins and yes it can be vicious but thats life.. I could post some videos on WiiSpeakApple, so you could look your self I suppose. People may think because of my question, I don't care for my hamsters, but I really do.

You asked how old I was. I am 16 and boy. Sorry if I have grammatical mistakes.

[hamstersnpiggies]

Ok, now that I have seen this thread I have a bit of a guilty conscience.

I had guinea pigs but was terribly allergic. I had them for about 1 year and I was on prescription allergy medication. When I ran out and was not able to contact my doctor for a few days my allergies flared back up and I realized how bad my allergies were. It was so bad that my nose was peeling and bleeding from sneezing so much. I decided that I had no choice but to rehome them as my allergies were unmanagable.

Even when on medication I still sneeze but without it I sneeze almost constantly. I was pet-less for about two weeks when I saw a picture of a hamster and I researched it and alot of people said that hamsters dont have much of a smell. I actually like their smell, I can put her up to my nose and sniff her and nothing, I dont sneeze. I felt terrible for rehoming my piggies but sneezing all the time is unsanitary and was really hurting my nose. I also had a pimple on my nose that hurt so when I blew my nose it felt worst than the pain of getting my nose pierced. I really miss them but I know that they are with a family who do not have allergies and can care for them properly (not that I didnt care for them properly, they were spoiled).


But in your case, rehoming one pet just because you saw another that was cuter is a bit shallow. You have loved that hamster for so many months and just because you see one that is a bit softer or cuter you get rid of him. Would you do that to your own children? Please do not take offense to what I say as I am not trying to be rude, I am simply trying to tell you that that is a terrible thing to do.

I just brought home a beautiful syrian and I have been looking at pictures of everyone elses different breed of hamsters and I really love them all. After Latte passes I plan to get a different breed but I would never consider getting rid of her just to get another one.

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Hamstersnpiggies that was different, you were allergic and it was causing you health problems, you should feel bad for it at all

Anyway Ethan I just re-read over my post and want to say I am sorry. I went over the top with my rant then and could have put it in a much more tactful way than I did. I came across as a real piece of Ham dropping.

[EthanL62]

It's fine Erin. I shouldn't have really posted this, I kind of regret it now. Well I can't really give away him now, can I (not that I want to). You and the others are just really passionate about animals. I have a different view on things. Thank you for the posts, it has really helped me Also, you seem very nice.

[Lil Miss]

Originally Posted by hamstersnpiggies

Ok, now that I have seen this thread I have a bit of a guilty conscience.

I had guinea pigs but was terribly allergic. I had them for about 1 year and I was on prescription allergy medication. When I ran out and was not able to contact my doctor for a few days my allergies flared back up and I realized how bad my allergies were. It was so bad that my nose was peeling and bleeding from sneezing so much. I decided that I had no choice but to rehome them as my allergies were unmanagable.

Even when on medication I still sneeze but without it I sneeze almost constantly. I was pet-less for about two weeks when I saw a picture of a hamster and I researched it and alot of people said that hamsters dont have much of a smell. I actually like their smell, I can put her up to my nose and sniff her and nothing, I dont sneeze. I felt terrible for rehoming my piggies but sneezing all the time is unsanitary and was really hurting my nose. I also had a pimple on my nose that hurt so when I blew my nose it felt worst than the pain of getting my nose pierced. I really miss them but I know that they are with a family who do not have allergies and can care for them properly (not that I didnt care for them properly, they were spoiled).


But in your case, rehoming one pet just because you saw another that was cuter is a bit shallow. You have loved that hamster for so many months and just because you see one that is a bit softer or cuter you get rid of him. Would you do that to your own children? Please do not take offense to what I say as I am not trying to be rude, I am simply trying to tell you that that is a terrible thing to do.

I just brought home a beautiful syrian and I have been looking at pictures of everyone elses different breed of hamsters and I really love them all. After Latte passes I plan to get a different breed but I would never consider getting rid of her just to get another one.

your situation is very different hun, with allergies that bad you really didnt have much of a choice, you had to do what was right for you and the pigs
having said that though, i have 4 piggers and am alergic to them, not to the extent you are though, they dont effect my breathing, but they bring me out in nasty angry red rashes, but i put up with it, probably because im stupid

[hamstersnpiggies]

Originally Posted by Lil Miss

your situation is very different hun, with allergies that bad you really didnt have much of a choice, you had to do what was right for you and the pigs
having said that though, i have 4 piggers and am alergic to them, not to the extent you are though, they dont effect my breathing, but they bring me out in nasty angry red rashes, but i put up with it, probably because im stupid

I have really felt terrible for doing it because I know of other people who have asthma attacks because of them but they still keep them so I thought I was being ridiculous for getting rid of them. I really loved them and I still miss them. My hamster however has filled that void with her luxurious fur and confident personality. Also, if I was to put them on my skin I would get a bit itchy but once I rinsed the area it felt better. I just wish I would have realised I was allergic before I spent so much money on their huge cage.

I also do not think you are stupid for keeping them, it makes you very caring and un-selfish. Those piggies have a great mother.