Hello

Jeanbird7 · 04-04-2018, 12:52 PM

Hello to everyone. I have never joined a group before, therefore I am quite green at all of this. Please be kind. Let me say that owning a hamster was never a thought in my mind until after I had to put my beloved Teddy to sleep. Teddy was a beautiful blonde colored cat (go figure). Anyway one day I walked into the pet store and as I passed the hamster cage there lay asleep a male syrian the very same color as Ted. And for whatever the reason I just had to have him. I thought about naming him Ted but wound up naming him Mr. Quigley and he was the coolest little dude and gave me 30 of the happiest days of my life. I knew nothing about hamsters but I bought him with all of the necessary items that the pet store said I needed...I then started to read about hamsters and found that I needed so much more and proceeded to get it all. He even got his first trip to my vet for an intoduction and once over exam. The Ikea Detolf and base cabinet are still in the truck never taken out the box yet. You see I went to work one night and came home for lunch to check on Mr. Quigley. He was sound asleep in his little Kaytee Habitrail cage. When I got off I stopped at the store and when I came home I went in to check on him again and he was gone from this tiny cage. I can't tell you my panic and sadly I found him dead in the kitchen. I was devastated to say the very least.

About a week later I went back to the pet store just to look, again knowing that Mr. Quigley was one of a kind and I would not find another like him. But....in the store sleeping curled up under a plastic igloo was a not so attractive and rather big syrian who I thought was breathing rather hard. I asked to get him out. His ears were bent back and he was really alot bigger than Mr. Quigley. After all of this reading I felt sure that he might not be well. He even tried to snip at me. When I say not so attractive he is kind of white/gray with a dark undercoat. This just makes him look dirty. As I held him I thought to myself that he might have been a return considering his size and attitude. I really thought that no one would want him and I knew that someone had to love him. That someone was me. Thus Sammy has become part of the household. I still haven't taken the Detolf out of the truck, but Sammy is housed in a 75gal aquarium that I was given at the present time until I can get that put together.

I do hope that no one feels angry towards me as my intentions have always been sincere. I have alot to learn and I read anything I can find everyday.

souffle · 04-17-2018, 04:09 AM

I'm sorry for your loss. Your newbie looks lovely and I'm sure he will be fine settling in the bin cage. Welcome to the forum

IamKat · 04-17-2018, 08:48 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss of Teddy and then Mr Quigley. It sounds like it's been a hard time, but I'm pleased to hear you have a new friend to help you heal. I think Sammy looks really cute with those big ears

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Pet shops often miss-inform so going off and doing your own research is really the best thing we can do as pet owners, and shows you have the intentions to give Sammy the best life possible

cypher · 04-17-2018, 09:09 AM

Hi & welcome to HC

I am sorry for your loss of both Teddy & Mr.Quigley, it must have been very hard for you.
It's good to hear you now have Sammy, he looks quite adorable

Don't feel so bad about making mistakes, you are clearly doing your best for your little guy & learning all you can, I'm sure he'll do just fine.

SimonandSyril · 04-17-2018, 11:22 AM

Welcome to Hamster Central
I'm very sorry for your loss of Teddy and Mr Quigley. I am glad to hear about Sammy he looks so cute! Don't be so hard on yourself; even the very best hamster owner has made mistakes as long as you change them or plan to change them (which you have!) don't feel bad.

Have a nice stay here

Elliiy · 04-17-2018, 03:34 PM

Sorry for your losses but i think it was really kind of you to get Sammy, the cage you have set up for him looks really nice i have always wanted the Carolina storm wheel lol. There are many experienced hamster owners here willing to help so if you ever have questions feel free to ask everyone on this forum is really nice

dreamtree1234 · 04-22-2018, 04:28 PM

Welcome to HC, Jeanbird7! I'm glad that you joined our hamster loving family. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. We are all here to help one another become the very best hamparents possible.

I am sorry for your losses of both Teddy and Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley was really adorable. Please try not to be too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes; all we can do is learn from them as I know you are. You are trying your very best to give your hammies the best home possible and that is what truly counts. My heart definitely goes out to you as I know how hard it is to lose those you love; they will remain in your heart and live on in your memories though. Hugs to you. RIP, Teddy and Mr. Quigley; enjoy many adventures at the Rainbow Bridge.

I am excited that you and Sammy found each other and he is now part of your loving home. I look forward to getting to know your little darling and I hope that the two of you have plenty of fun. He is really cute, and I love his new cage setup.

Pebbles82 · 04-22-2018, 04:38 PM

Your tank set up is lovely for Sammy. So sorry about Mr Quigley - they are great escape artists. So hard for you. He is now playing free over the Rainbow Bridge xxx

As you lost your cat recently as well, you might want to look at these pet bereavement threads. I was very affected when our hamster died last year and found these helpful. One of the articles is particularly good on when your pet has had an unpleasant end.

Pet loss - where to find help, tips and comfort on the loss of a pet.

The Rainbow Bridge