How to explain?...

**DwarfNome** · 02-04-2011, 01:46 PM

So, today it was the first weekend day at my mom's boyfriends house with my little Arrow. She had been traveling for two hours and taken a long run in her ball. I told everyone specifically that she should not be disturbed, meaning no tapping the cage, no calling on her, no waking her up. They laughed at me and said that it was just a hamster, and it didn't need the attention I am giving her.

Later in the evening, about 15 minutes before I wrote this my mom's boyfriend had taken a few beers. He doesn't have any drinking problems, but he tent to get annoying after a few cans.

So he decided to mess with me, he stood up (the cage is behind my back) and ripped open the gate (Didn't break, but still very roughly) He picks up her house and shouts in her ear. When I got over there I ripped it from his hand and quickly put everything back in place. I pushed him away and yet again, they laughed and repeated that the hamster was "just a hamster" And you can do anything to it, sense it wouldn't matter in her behaviour.

My family is a "its just a..." kind of family, mostly thinking that only larger animals like dogs need real care.

How can I explain to them that a hamster needs at least as much care as any other animal?

~DwarfNome

Fidgetthefirst · 02-04-2011, 02:03 PM

Just explain to them alone i'd say. People tend to agree with other people, i think you should just speak to them in a discussion, not an argument, just tell them, a hamster is an animal just as much as a dog, a cat etc, they all need care and attention. Explain how she is your pet, part of your family, and if they don't agree, just don't say anything on the subject again i think.

My family is similar tbh, if i want to go and order some treats or ask mom to specifically buy something for Milo there just like..
'LOL why?! Its just a hamster?'

Gillzy · 02-04-2011, 02:51 PM

Oh, that's a shame, poor Arrow!

Yeh def do it one at a time (when sober). Explain how much she means to you, and ask that although they may not believe that she is worth the time of day, that you do and she means a lot to you, and that it would be nice if they could at least respect you, and your wishes - and that if they can not be nice to her to leave her alone.

Hope you can get through to them.

**DwarfNome** · 02-04-2011, 03:52 PM

Thank you, I will give it a go. I am quite sure that they will just laugh again sense they are very headstrong (hate people that only think their point of veiw is right sometimes...

) Just hope that my girl will get some good sleep now, when they have gone to bed.

Christmas_hamster · 02-04-2011, 03:56 PM

It seems that if they just can't wrap around their heads around the fact that your hamster deserves proper care too that you should try explaining to them how important Arrow is to you and that her well being means a lot to you and that by doing that they were disrespecting you.

Some people don't get animals all that well but a lot of them can understand that hurting another humans feelings isn't right. At least usually family will back down if it's hurting you.

Gillzy · 02-04-2011, 04:13 PM

Failing all this, get upset and cry, and become really quiet. Then they'll see how much they're upsetting you :P

**DwarfNome** · 02-04-2011, 04:44 PM

I've gotten upset in the past to make them understand. Unfortunatly they have begun to take this as,.....A typichal trait of my personality? I suppose. I have given up things like this, although I am very over protective of Arrow and my dog. They think that I overreact when I want whats best for them. Charlie (dog) hasn't have the best life because of this, I just dont want it to turn out like this for Arrow. When I ask for respect, they usually say that I dont have a right to get respect sense I'm a minor (being 13)

I'll protect Arrow the best I can, and have yet another chat with them.

Gillzy · 02-04-2011, 05:18 PM

Keeping Arrow in your room, and asking them not to go near her since she's not in their space might help to... It sounded like she was kept in the living room in the first post.

Good luck

Womblehands · 02-04-2011, 05:22 PM

I'm sorry if im misreading something but does Arrow have to be there with them. Do you live with them constantly or visit them? if there is a way of Arrow being in safety i would look for that option..

Smysha · 02-04-2011, 05:54 PM

Following on from what Womblehands has said - it's okay to leave a hamster on its own for like 3 or even 4 days! Just make sure there's enough food and water. It might not be ideal but it could be a better choice!