A little bit about Bella

[CookieBlossomBella]

Hello everybody!
So i just recently posted an update on my dwarf hamsters, Flan and Maduros, but I then realised that i have not said anything about you all to Bella, my syrian.

So as mentioned, Bella is my syrian hamster who i got on Friday 13th April of this year. I got her after my beloved hamster, Blossom, passed away on the 5th of April and i was really struggling to cope so i thought that by getting another hamster, my pain might heal a little more and boy am i glad i did!

Bella is the most timid hamster I have met in my whole life. When I walk up to her cage and she does not realise it is me, she flips onto her back and plays dead in fear (however as soon as i approach her a bit more and she realises she is familiar with my scent, she comes and says hello). Now considering she is has been in my care for just over a month and i feed her just 1 tablespoon of mix a day (which she does not eat all of) she is quite the chunker! I reckon she will be a huge hamster when she meets adulthood.She has the most beautiful face and once she trusts you, she is a very loving and somewhat loyal hamster. Like Blossom, she absolutely loves exploring and is constantly running all over the place.

Now i have a question which i would appreciate if you answered in a post below: Is it normal that after all this time, i still cry over Blossom's death?

I hope you enjoyed reading my post on Bella and that you now know a little more about my gorgeous hams

Cbb

[Coco61]

Absolutely normal Cbb. Grief takes it time to pass. Even when the worst is gone, there will still be a moment or a thought or memory that will catch you and you choke up again. All completely natural. It will ease and become gradually less intense and you can smile at the happy memories instead. Members here have different ways of creating something for memories. Mugs and cushions have a hammy photo on them. The cushion is good to hug on the big anniversary. I have a beach stone and a slate heart with names on for my last 2 boys. They come from Pets Remembered. They should be outside resting on the pot plant that each is buried under. But I am not ready, even months later, and they are still on a shelf inside where I can see them often and easily.
These things may not work for you, but it gives you an idea that you are not alone with your tears. It will get better and Blossom would want you to smile when you think of her.

[CookieBlossomBella]

Thank you Coco for your kind and encouraging words. I do have a cushion with all my hams on it (excluding flan and maduros as i did not have them when i got it)

[Coco61]

Very pleased to hear about the cushion. Lovely to have many hams on yours. Just give it a good hug when you need to. If you are an animal lover, as you obviously are, you will never forget your beloved pets. I can name all my hamsters from childhood, a very long time ago now! Your heart will get a tiny bit bigger for each new pet you have.

[dreamtree1234]

Aww, Bella sounds so adorable. Bella playing dead like an opossum and then coming to greet you at the cage door after realizing that all is well because it is you - bless this timid, dramatic ham. She is quite the character and sounds so affectionate with you. I'm glad that she is enjoying her wonderful life with you.

Yes, your tears and grief over losing your darling Blossom is perfectly normal and understandable. The intensity of pain over losing one so beloved as Blossom will eventually ease over time. It hasn't been long since your sweetheart has passed to the bridge so your brokenheart still needs more time to heal; it is always better to let your emotions be expressed rather than keeping them all locked inside so the healing process can occur over time. You will still have the ups and downs emotionally, but gradually you will be able to remember her with happier thoughts rather than sadder ones. There will be an ebbing and flowing of so many different emotions during the grieving process, but one day your pain will fade and the happiness and love that the two of you shared will take over and thoughts of her will make you smile instead of cry. Time has a wonderful way to heal your broken heart. After the most heightened pain of loss is over, you will still have occasions, thoughts of remembrance, or triggers where you are again overcome with emotions; that is all also very normal and expected. Just give yourself the time to heal and don't feel rushed. Until then, just try your best to focus on all of the treasured times that the two of you shared, enjoy your darlings Flan, Maduros, and Bella. Your comfort cushion with most of your beloved hams on it sounds absolutely wonderful and very comforting. Take care of yourself, let your cute hamily comfort you, cry when you need to, and squeeze the cushion whenever you miss you beloved hams at the bridge. Blossom loved you and would want you to find happiness again. She will live on in your memories and your heart, and she will watch over you from the bridge. We are all here for you. Hugs to you.

[CookieBlossomBella]

I realised i did not post a picture of my little fur baby so I have added one done below. This was her in p@h the day we took her home. As you can see, even then she was quite big. I think she will be quite the chunker!
bella resize.png

[Sally75]

I remember that day so vividly! You were so excited CBB!
Bella is quite stinky at the minute though! (but not any less cute, of course)

[dreamtree1234]

Aww, Bella looks so adorable and beautiful! I am glad to be able to put a cute face to her name now. She really is lovely; I love her rich coloring. Oh, Sally, are you telling me that you don't find her very fragrant, perfumed scent appealing, lol?