Will this little Guy be alright? - Page 3

Piebald · 08-09-2015, 12:40 AM

He is really gorgeous. xx So happy for both of you.

Book_lover · 08-09-2015, 06:13 AM

Can your hamster fit in the little house that comes with the cage?

Doenut · 08-09-2015, 06:54 AM

I have adopted two Syrians (Dax and Bear) from Gumtree when I became concerned for their welfare, both arrived in atrocious conditions.

Your little one here reminds me of Bear (photo). When I got him he was shy and timid and very bitey. But most concerning of all he was extremely thin. When he would allow me to stroke him all I could feel were his bones through his coat. He is now well rounded and as happy as can be!!

Dax, Bear and I think you have done a wonderful thing!

This little guy will be absolutely fine and will thrive in your care. The only thing I can say from experience is that it can take time to build trust. Its taken four months for Bear to trust me enough to be held.

Well done for being awesome and standing up for him!

arfey · 08-09-2015, 11:25 AM

He can fit in the house that comes with the cage but he has a wooden one under the yellow shelf which is bigger and he prefers. We hide stuff like treats and bedding in the other one which he gets and reorganises.

Bare in mind he is very small too, he is about half the size of my biggest (Dora who is still growing). I think this may be due to being underfed, however we will keep an eye out if he grows we'll chuck the house, we're getting a wooden ramp up to the shelf too as we think he may easily outgrow the hole. Overall the Alaska isn't bad for the price, but for bigger Syrians you will probably need to make those mods. To be honest for the slight price difference the barney is much better, but this little guy caught us off guard as it were, maybe we'll get him one in a few months, clear up some space etc, it's been a tight fit as is, but we just couldn't turn him away.

Doenut, it's nice to know there are others out there looking out for the little guys, and yes I think it will be a while before Denzil can be handled although he stands on his hind legs quite a bit so we give him a good look over.

His fur is already growing back and he's just getting more and more confident, he's still cautious of course and sometimes he'll take food off you but will be careful, patience and time is all we can give it.

One thing I would like to know, is how you get your head straight seeing this stuff. I know my girlfriend has cried a lot during the first days we had him, and I was kinda like no, not gonna let it bother me, he's gonna be better off. However it all kinda hit me today, trying not to obsess over how long he was like that or how many others are out there like that.

Silly thing is he's progressing well and although cautious seems happy, it just doesn't make it any easier knowing his history and that this stuff goes on, I guess experiencing it makes it more real. It was a family that dropped him off to us, with no shame, they were so casual, like nothing was wrong and this was normal.

I guess all we can do is just keep an eye out and help the ones we can.

Piebald · 08-09-2015, 04:38 PM

You're a lovely human being arfy. xx

**DrKMcK** · 08-09-2015, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arfey

One thing I would like to know, is how you get your head straight seeing this stuff. I know my girlfriend has cried a lot during the first days we had him, and I was kinda like no, not gonna let it bother me, he's gonna be better off. However it all kinda hit me today, trying not to obsess over how long he was like that or how many others are out there like that.

Silly thing is he's progressing well and although cautious seems happy, it just doesn't make it any easier knowing his history and that this stuff goes on, I guess experiencing it makes it more real. It was a family that dropped him off to us, with no shame, they were so casual, like nothing was wrong and this was normal.

I guess all we can do is just keep an eye out and help the ones we can.

You have done a wonderful thing rescuing this little one. Lots of us have rescued hams and it is awful to see and hear about their situations. Just keep in mind that a hamster's life is only a few years long. So, in a week or 2 being with you and having people be gentle with him, this little guy is forgetting what went on before. In a month or two he will believe he is king of his world. My Nutmeg is a rescue and I have no idea how old she is. As a full grown hammy she had no idea what a wheel was for. Now, she loves her wheel and her life. You get through by changing their lives. That's a good thing and that's what you focus on. I can't save the world, but I can save a little life here and there.

Book_lover · 08-10-2015, 01:54 AM

Thank you for your advice.

Jen250 · 08-10-2015, 02:06 AM

It is so wonderful seeing someone care so much and making a hamster's life so much happier. He looks and sounds as if he's already doing so well. Like your girlfriend, I had a little bit of a cry yesterday looking at Gumtree. My boyfriend told me, "you can't save them all." And we can't. But you have made such a wonderful difference in a hamster's life, and that's important.

arfey · 08-10-2015, 04:25 AM

I'm a bit better today, as you say focusing on positives is good. I think the initial shock is the bad thing, being told something is bad never quite prepares you for the actual truth.

Again thanks for all the kind words.

All three of our Syrians (or do they secretly own us?) live in the living room, as we talk to them and they seem to enjoy the dynamic of having there own space but being able to come to the edge of the cage. Dora regularly dozes off in the corner near us before waking up and retreating to her house.

I mention this because in the future I may be able to house another hammy but it would be in a separate room. I'm not keen on this idea though as I like to be there when they wake up. Maybe we're strange but we enjoy talking to them and they always come to the edge of the cage to listen.

Although the flip side is that if a hammy is in really bad digs a separate room with a nice cage is an upgrade.

Unfortunately I don't know if a reshuffle of the living room is possible due to the rats. We have a play area for them, which is quite big as they need quite a bit of stimulation, we have quite a clever one who is easily bored so he needs that space.

The hamster free range area will be upstairs. We have something temp for now, but Dora and Daisy seem to just like hanging out on my shoulder, and checking my ear, as do the rats, I keep insisting there's nothing in there.

I think I'm just keen to do more but want to clarify my limitations, as Jen's boyfriend says we can't save em all, but we can focus on what we can do.

EDIT: Denzil is now pooping a normal quantity, so the large amount previously was either nerves or him having to hold it as the old cage was so full I guess.