/facepalm/ why...?

[NiceCrocs]

One of my genius aunts decided to get my 11 year old cousin a hamster for Christmas. He called me this afternoon, very excited, saying that he had been given a Russian dwarf hamster. I immediately knew I would have some work to do, as nobody on that side of the family has ever showed much aptitude for taking care of animals.

Luckily, this cousin has seen and interacted with my hamsters, and is aware that caring for them is more complicated than pet shops and popular culture would have him believe.

I asked him to send me a picture, and I was horrified to see that the hamster was in a plastic carrier, with an inch of pine shavings, a bowl of food, and literally nothing else. He asked if I had any spare wheels or toys that he could use, and stated that the carrier was purely temporary, and that he had already put in a dish of water.

I invited him to stay at my home for the weekend, and to bring the hamster with him. When he arrived, I whisked them both away to my bedroom. I added a small house to the carrier, a few squares of toilet paper, and a milk bone, and a scoop of Hazel hamster with a few oxbow pellets. The food that the pet shop gave them was in an unlabeled sandwich which bag, and doesn't look very good to me. Then I left the room to let him settle in,

We're entertaining company this evening, but once everyone leaves I'm going to clean out one of my spare cages and set him up properly. My little sister was kind enough to run to the pet shop to buy a flying saucer for the little mite

I intend to devote the weekend to teaching my cousin about hamster care he's a bright kid, and is eager to lean. we'll go shopping in the morning to get some toys and food and other essentials. I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't help give this little guy the best possible care my cousin could give him.

The hamster is a Cambell's Hybrid; white with large black spots. He's absolutely beautiful, and has trying to climb up my hand while I was adding stuff to his cage.

Gonna be a long weekend, wish me luck!!

[BrainGirl]

Great job taking a newbie under your wing! Maybe we'll get to see your cousin around the forum sometime soon

[NiceCrocs]

Thanks BrainGirl ^_^ I hope so! Lol. It's nice to have an excuse to splurge at the pet stores tomorrow xP

[Thin Lizzy]

What a kind gesture and it's so good to hear your cousin is eager to learn. I love the fact you invited him to stay with you that same day. I did have a lol moment reading your post.
Good luck with your hamster classes.
I can't wait to see the end result!

[NiceCrocs]

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

What a kind gesture and it's so good to hear your cousin is eager to learn. I love the fact you invited him to stay with you that same day. I did have a lol moment reading your post.
Good luck with your hamster classes.
I can't wait to see the end result!

Haha, I'm sure I seemed a bit over-eager to bring them over, but I was actually due to pick my cousin up in the morning so he could spend the weekend with me. I just had to bring him over earlier than planned xP

My phones out of memory, and I don't wanna bother the poor thing by taking pictures, but he's really gorgeous, I don't think I've ever seen a dwarf with his coloring before.

My cousin has dubbed him The Doctor, as he's a dedicated Doctor Who fan

[Candra_Faulkner]

a hamster parent and a Whovian?! Cool kid! I LOVE me some Doctor Who.
And it's awesome you're going to teach him everything you know about hamster care and are helping him get all the supplies he needs. My niece wants a hamster but she's only 8, and her attention span is practically zero unless it's a video game on a phone or tablet, or a movie. lol. I let her visit my hamster Toby and such though.

[NiceCrocs]

Quick update, with my cousins assistance I've transferred The Doctor over to an old wire cage. It's still a bit under the minimum, but still way bigger than the carrier he was in. He's got paper bedding, a flying saucer and house, a cardboard tube, and a kitchen tile to chill on, along with his water dish and a dish of Hazel hamster, oxbow, and a couple mealworms. There's also his milk bone, and a couple inches of millet spray to help keep him busy. When I left him he was busily pacing around giving everything a good look.

[cypher]

Good on you NiceCrocs! I couldn't help but think about all the hams that might have been given as gifts over Christmas & wonder what might happen to them, this one is definitely going to be a happy ham with all your help.
Look forward to seeing some photos when you can get them.

[Pygmypuff]

It's great news that you've been able to help your cousin understand hamster's needs and that he is eager to learn more. You've done a wonderful thing giving him a cage and a wheel, for both your cousin and the hamster

[Thin Lizzy]

Loving "The Doctor" as a name! lol!