31 Days of October

Artisans_uk · 10-01-2015, 03:29 AM

Hi Everyone

Well, finally October has arrived and it is my turn to try to keep you all entertained this month. I think I have been waiting for over a year for this month!

I thought that I would start at the very beginning of how I started my hamily, so here goes:-

In April last year, I returned home after being out for 45 mins and found an unexpected guest to look after. My best friend had urgently needed me to look after her daughter's hamster, and my introduction to Pipsy was to find her in her cage on my lounge floor!

by artisans_jw, on Flickr

I knew nothing about hamsters, I'd had a guinea pig when I was 7yrs old but that was almost 40yrs ago! I didn't know much about Pipsy or her care but I was fairly certain that her cage was way too small. I very quickly found HC, thank goodness and started to read up on dwarf hamsters.

Here are some other photos of her:-

Pipsy in one of her hideouts. by artisans_jw, on Flickr

Pipsy enjoying her first treat. by artisans_jw, on Flickr

Pipsy came to stay. by artisans_jw, on Flickr

Pipsy spent several months with me, and she ignited a flame inside for these gorgeous bundles of fluff. She went back to her owner, who also stayed with me for a while. When they both returned home, Pipsy had a new cage, better food and came out each day for playtime, all thanks to the wonderful information on HC.

Pipsy went to the bridge on 1st August last year. I am glad that I had those months with her and she will always have a special place in my heart.

cypher · 10-01-2015, 03:37 AM

What a great beginning to the month, I've been looking forward to this for a while now

I had no idea you had such a sudden & unexpected introduction to the world of little fluff balls, it must have been quite a steep learning curve but I've no doubt you're a very fast learner & Pipsy was more than happy to help!
She was such a beautiful little girl, no wonder you fell in love & started a hamily of your own

Artisans_uk · 10-01-2015, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

What a great beginning to the month, I've been looking forward to this for a while now

I had no idea you had such a sudden & unexpected introduction to the world of little fluff balls, it must have been quite a steep learning curve but I've no doubt you're a very fast learner & Pipsy was more than happy to help!
She was such a beautiful little girl, no wonder you fell in love & started a hamily of your own

Hi cypher, yes it was certainly a steep learning curve. At least when Pipsy's owner came to stay, although I haven't had my own children, I did used to be a nanny and have been a teacher, so I had lots more experience with children than with fluffs!

I must admit, I was so grateful to find HC, it helped me out of the deep end, although I did lurk on here without joining for quite a while!
Pipsy was gorgeous, such a shame that she lived most of her life in such a horribly small cage. She'd been passed around before she got to my friend's daughter, an unfortunate case of buying a hamster for a young child and then losing interest. My friend's daughter was Pipsy's 3rd family, such a pity for Pipsy but at least I know that she had a much better quality of life in her last few months.

Thin Lizzy · 10-01-2015, 08:40 PM

I'm so looking forward to the rest of October Artisan. Pipsy such a beautiful ham and you may only have had a few months with her but you gave her such love and care.

Artisans_uk · 10-02-2015, 01:17 AM

Having been introduced to the world of hamster fluffiness by the gorgeous Pipsy, I was quickly drawn in ever deeper. Living on my own, I had wondered for some time about having a pet, I thought I had ruled out the options:
A cat - no good as there were so many cats in and out of my garden that I decided it was unfair to introduce another.
A dog - I am unable to walk it, so that was out.
Rabbits and guinea pigs were out because of the cage size and I thought that sheep wouldn't be a good idea if I wanted flowers in the garden too!!

Then Pipsy opened a new door and I really got used to having her around, with play time in the evenings and having her to chat to. Of course, the realisation that she would one day return to her owner dawned on me...so the inevitable happened, I found a fluff of my own.....

by artisans_jw, on Flickr

Bracken arrived about 10 days after Pipsy came to stay. Although she came from a breeder, I now know that it was a hobby breeder and I strongly suspect that Bracken was possibly the runt of the litter. She was 5 months old when she came to me but she was still tiny and she has never chubbed up as my others have but regardless, she made my heart melt.

IMAG1245_1 by artisans_jw, on Flickr

IMAG1269_1 by artisans_jw, on Flickr

Pebbles82 · 10-02-2015, 05:06 AM

This is a lovely thread Artisans! Pipsy and Bracken are both gorgeous. Bracken has a particularly adorable look and eyes on that second to last photo!

cypher · 10-02-2015, 07:14 AM

Bracken is gorgeous Artisans, she looks immeasurably cute in that first shot & so sweet & cosy in the last one, have to agree with Serendipity about her eyes too, a real little star

Coco61 · 10-02-2015, 09:50 AM

What a wonderful start to the month Artisans. Pipsy's story was interesting-What a sweet little one. As for Bracken- by the time I got to the last I was totally lost in admiration. Really looking forward to the days ahead.

Thin Lizzy · 10-02-2015, 11:46 AM

More mega cuteness, Bracken's so photogenic! That third pic is so sweet!

Artisans_uk · 10-02-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

I'm so looking forward to the rest of October Artisan. Pipsy such a beautiful ham and you may only have had a few months with her but you gave her such love and care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

More mega cuteness, Bracken's so photogenic! That third pic is so sweet!

Hi Lizzy, thank you for your words. I really hope that Pipsy was a lot more comfortable in her new cage and the with other changes I made, I owe her so much. I did miss her when she returned home.
As Bracken was the first fluff of my own, she has a very special place in my heart. I love that third photo too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

This is a lovely thread Artisans! Pipsy and Bracken are both gorgeous. Bracken has a particularly adorable look and eyes on that second to last photo!

Thank you Serendipity. Would we say that Bracken has "hamster pup eyes" the equivalent to puppy dog eyes?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Bracken is gorgeous Artisans, she looks immeasurably cute in that first shot & so sweet & cosy in the last one, have to agree with Serendipity about her eyes too, a real little star

Thanks cypher, poor Bracken had to cope with being the first hamster model and she has lived up to her role perfectly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coco61

What a wonderful start to the month Artisans. Pipsy's story was interesting-What a sweet little one. As for Bracken- by the time I got to the last I was totally lost in admiration. Really looking forward to the days ahead.

Coco, thanks for your kind words, it's Rue's turn tomorrow so there is more cuteness for the weekend from my little Rue Bear with her Vogue poses!