Tragic loss of a friend last night.

[RipJunior]

Hey all, I'm new here and definitely am not experienced with the community. I came across these forums a little while back to find out ways I could improve the living conditions and activities for my hamster, Junior.

I got Junior from a family that couldn't provide him with the attention and love any pet needs from their owner. When I got him, he and his cage resided in my room for a few months. My youngest brother then asked me if I could move him into his room because it would (and he did) help him sleep knowing there was something else in there with him. He lived in there for a few months up until last night at around 11 pm.

For whatever reason, my youngest brother mistakingly forgot to shut the front gate of Juniors cage (Wire). He escaped. Junior, being the quick runner he was, went under the door, into the hall, and ended up in my other brothers room.

Here's where things get real sad, and I wouldn't read on if you get upset easy.

The family dog sleeps in his bed in my other brother's room, and when he spotted the hamster, began squealing and barking . Our dog was well aware that Junior was in the home with us, and we were well aware that dogs naturally go after small creatures. My brother let my dog out of his bed because he thought he had to go to the bathroom, and didn't even know Junior was in the room with him. The dog immediately went after Junior.

I'm not sure how long Junior survived during the altercation and my brother ran out of the room to wake me up and get me, so he didn't know either. I just pray it was quick and as painless as possible.

When I walked into his bedroom, flicked on the light. I saw Junior's body, motionless and limp on the floor. His fur was wet with spit and there was a small amount of blood on the floor. The scene made me want to throw up and pass out at the same time.

Accidents happen, and I'm not blaming this at all on my dog. I understand animal instinct and how nature takes it's course. But I am really blaming myself for this. As a 19 year old college student I really have not cried in a long time, but I did tonight solely because I am blaming this on myself. I feel as if I brought Junior to his death by claiming him from that family. We had Junior for about 6 months and he was an incredibly calm, behaved, and social animal.

I wanted to post this to be able to express how I feel about it. I'm really not the type to admit being upset about stuff like this. If anyone knows any ways I can explain this situation to my youngest brother and ways I can cope with what happened, please leave a response. I will gladly take criticism and answer and posts that need a reply.

Thanks, and have a good day.

[racinghamster]

Hi RipJunior, welcome to HC. I`m sorry it isn`t under happier circumstances but you are free to express what happened to Junior and lt go your frustration and grief. Hamsters do escape from cages all the time especially if a cage door hasn`t been closed or secured, so it`s understandable that Junior wandered into danger and a cat or a dog is always going to be a danger to any small rodent.

It`s not a nice ending for a family hamster, but you couldn`t foresee this happening if you were not aware that your brother had been neglectful to close the cage door.

Sorry for your sad loss. x

[cypher]

Hi RipJunior, I'm so sorry to hear of the sad loss of your hamster, no matter how careful we intend to be we can all make mistakes & I'm sure quite a few of us have made that one & forgotten the cage door, if only for a moment or two. It's just very unfortunate that it ended this way.
Sometimes we learn our lessons with animals the hard way & this must have been very hard for you & your brother, I hope you can find a way for both yourself & your brother to understand that we shouldn't feel guilty but learn from our mistakes & understand the nature of our animals, they will do what comes naturally to them & we have to find a way to be sure that doesn't end with sad accidents.
Try not to be hard on yourself, hindsight is a wonderful thing but we can't always foresee or predict the things that might happen.
I really am sorry for your loss.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Hi RIPJunior,
First my condolences on the loss of a beloved family pet.
Accidents do happen and dogs only see a rodent intruding in the house when they see a loose hamster. It had to be very hard for you to go in the room to see Junior gone by the dogs natural instincts. However I would think it was very quick and painless for Junior as Dogs usually break the Rodents necks the second they grab the rodent.

As for your little brother You MUST support him as he will be scarred for life if allowed to think he was all at fault for forgetting to secure Junior's cage door and thus blaming himself for all that happened. You'll need to show him you don't blame him, plus it is totally possible Junior actually opened the door himself as Hamsters are very crafty and do find ways to open cages. So first thing is to quit saying your little brother left the door open since you don't know if that is true or not. Even if it is true let your little brother think Junior was a smart little hamster and HE figured out how to open his door.

Your little brother will feel sadness more because not only did the Hamster escape while in his room and his attention, but that Hamster was a friend to him which comforted him while alone in his room. Oh and crying for even you is just a sign of how much that little fur ball wiggled into your heart and you loved him more then just a pet so go on and cry. Let your little brother cry with you and see that even big kids and adults can cry too when sad at a loss of a family pet.

Also you'll have to still love the dog so your little brother doesn't begin to build a hatred of the dog too. Once all have mourned and everyone is ready I would suggest getting a new Hamster not to replace Junior, but to help begin a new adventure in honor of Junior.

Only do this when everyone effected by Junior's death is ready. Also you can train the dog to leave the hamster alone but this takes lots of time and a willing to learn dog. If you use the same cage I would suggest getting a clip to place on any doors on the cage so that the next Hamster can't escape the door himself.
HUGS to you and all in your family during this loss

[Thin Lizzy]

What an awful thing to happen. This is an accident and no one's to blame. Most importantly you don't hate the dog. Your little brother will be feeling awful so please give him support. I was blamed for our dog being knocked down years ago, the whole family blamed me and it had such a bad effect on me for years after.
It's important to grieve together for Junior and in time get another hamster but have rules in place.
Thoughts and hugs to both of you xx

[Pebbles82]

That's a wonderful post by Nancy's Hamsters and I agree with every word. The fact is the Hamster escaped and managed to get somewhere where there was a dog and nature took its course, which is traumatic and sad for all of you. I don't know how old your little brother is but children can be forgetful. Our hamster is actually our little boy's hamster. He's only 7 and I wouldn't trust him to remember to close a hamster cage at night either. His heart is in the right place and he would intend to but his head gets distracted easily. But this is just one of those sad things that happens with pets and we learn from them. We once had a dog and a kitten at the same time and no-one noticed that the dog had chased the kitten onto a water butt - until we couldn't find her (no further details required). And I did feel scarred by that because it was my responsibility as a 14 year-old, to empty the water butt. The guilt was terrible. At the end of the day it was an accident and we learn the huge responsibility of looking after pets - and even then things happen. As Nancy says - please make sure that none of you rejects the dog for this - he knew no different, it was his instinct. I think you should all 3 have a big hug and forgive and forget after saying a wee prayer for your lost little friend.