I know this is long! I don’t expect everyone to read it, but there are some pics at the end if you only want to look at those. I don’t plan to write so much but it all just comes out! Murphy went to the bridge on 10/04/12, aged 14months so this is a late post as I’ve only been able to bring myself to write it now.
Dear Murphy
(Smurph, Little Mister, Murph, Murph-a-lurph-a-durph-a-shlurph)(lol)
I miss you so, so much. You were an amazing little guy, so full of character. We knew from the moment we laid eyes on you that you’d be a handful… there was Milbert all fast asleep looking sweet and innocent, and there you were, clinging to the top of the sales cage, dangling your feet and swinging around. You’d fall, and then get back up again - All you wanted was to get out! Of course, you and your friend were girls, and I’d been looking for boys. But you were both so perfect I had to have you, and kept the names we picked out anyway. Not long after we became your mummy and daddy we noticed something wasn’t quite right, you drank so much, and a test showed you were diabetic. From this you taught us tons; we researched and made our own food for you, and found your favourite treat: Fenugreek. None of this stopped you though, you remained the craziest hammy I’ve ever met, but you were also very clever. You could escape most things when you put your mind to it, it was lots of fun to watch you working it all out. That’s all Milbert could do too, as he couldn’t do what you could.
When Mil went to the bridge, we could see it was just as upsetting for you too. You’d look around for him everywhere and we just didn’t know how to let you know he wasn’t coming back. Eventually, you settled with lots of help from mummy and daddy with lots of extra play and cuddle time. And you had a mansion of a cage all to yourself!
Then came the day I’d dreaded, we were having our usual play time and cuddles when I noticed some blood coming from your bottom area. I was so worried and off we went to the vets. At first he said it was a womb infection and wanted to immediately remove your womb. Then he said maybe it could be a bladder infection. I didn’t want your womb removing on a guess, so he decided baytril would be best. A week later and no improvement, we decided to have a scan. From this he said there was a lump on your bladder so we made arrangements for surgery. I said my goodbyes as I didn’t expect you to make it, but being the little strong guy you are, you pulled through. I was so happy and proud of you coping with so much. The vet said it wasn’t as expected; it was a tumour next to your womb and he had removed both. We had the lump tested for cancer, and while you recovered we nervously waited for the results. You did so well, we adapted your cage for you and you still managed to play and run, but you seemed so much slower, and seemed to age very fast. On your last day, a big package arrived just for you; so many treats from RatRations. I gave you your new toys and a bit of all the new treats and you loved it. That was the last I saw of you all happy, you didn’t emerge again that day. I decided to check on you by taking your little house from you as I was so worried, and there you were, asleep. I stroked you and you woke, you tried to walk but you were so wobbly. I picked you up in tears for our last cuddles and I had no idea how long you had left. You had random bursts of energy trying to run around, but you would just fall. I kept you in my arms as you started to fall asleep and took your last breaths, your daddy and gran were there with you too. We got the test results some days later which confirmed the lump was cancerous and I guess we just didn’t catch it in time. I’ve cried so much I’ve run dry, but as I write this yet more tears run. I guess you wanted to join Milbert, and I hope you are both so happy at the bridge waiting for me and daddy.
The things I loved most about you:
Your kisses, you used to lick my lips and it was the cutest, sweetest thing any hammy has ever done
Your cuddles, they were the most amazing hamster cuddles because you really cuddled me back
Your obsession with fenugreek, I would shake the container and you knew what was coming and got so excited
Your enthusiasm for your other favourite treats; Mealworms, millet, sunflower seeds and teeth trimming biscuits
Watching you rummage around under the megazorb and emerge with a little pile of it still on your head
Watching you use Milbert as a dinner table while he was sleeping
Your obessive chewing, despite me putting anti-chew liquid on things, I think you actually liked its bitter taste
Seeing you sat on your bum in a corner with a fat Buddah appearance!
You made me smile when you came out of your bed and stood on two legs under the door waiting for me to come get you out for cuddles and kisses
Your cute little bum squished and snuggled up with Mil, and I just loved the contrast between his lovely white fur and your lovely brown fur
The way you looked after Milbert; making the bedding just right or grooming his crazy fur for him
Your sand bath skills! You had the most enthusiastic baths I’ve ever seen
Watching you make your bed, running around with your mouth so full of tissue it was hanging out, you couldn’t see where you were going and you always tripped over it
Your intelligence; you could work out how to do anything, you escaped the rody rabbit on the first night you were in there
Holding loo roll up to you, it was your little ‘lift’ which lead you to cuddles
Your energy, you were the craziest hamster I’ve ever had, running thousands of miles
You were always first to discover your food has been replenished! Poor Mil never got there in time
Your super climbing skills, nothing was too high or steep for you and it was so entertaining to watch
One of the first pics of you
The wise Buddah
I love my mealyworms!
What?! Whatever your thinking, it wasn't me
I love my table
Nom nom nom nom nom
This is my bed now
I've been working hard!
Sup!
Mmmmmm Fenugreek
I had you cremated just like Milbert, so your ashes could be put together.
Your resting box you were cremated in
I will never, ever forget you, your pawprints are all over my heart forever. I love you so much, Mummy xxxxx
Goodbye Murphy, I love you xxx
Re: Goodbye Murphy, I love you xxx
I read the whole thing and it brought a tear to my eye murphy sounded like a special little hammie and I'm sure murphy is at the bridge using milbert as a table as we speak ...what a little cutie *hug* its always so hard when they have left such a huge paw print on our hearts just take comfort in the fact you gave both of them the best life 
xxx
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