Timmy... At first we had just got Dusty and Scruff, but Dusty was lonely and we reunited you and Bump with the others the next day. When you and Bump saw Dusty again you were thrilled! You all just stood there, nose to nose, as if you couldn't believe your friend was back. It was one of the most amazing moments we ever had with you. Scruff on the other hand, well we all know she was much too busy to say hi. In the end she greeted you by stepping on you, but you didn't mind - you never really did.
You looked... Less bulky than Dusty or Bump, the same build as Scruff, but less scruffy and with paler colours. Timmy seemed the right name for you, and it really was.
You lived with your cagemates for over a year, at first you were in a big custom cage. Scruff sometimes squeaked at you for helping her gather food she'd spilt when trying to store it in her wheel, you never cared. Dusty might want to be top of the pack - you didn't really mind. You were everyones friend, submissive, happy and you got along really well with all three of your cagemates.
You and the girls went to a ferplast mary in November, then stayed together for Christmas. For Christmas you got four new houses - that none of you seemed to like! You had them in your cage for a while, but none of you were fussed so we gave up and let other hams try them in the end.
This was you and your cagemates at Christmas, one of the rare times we managed to get a photo of you all together.
I took one of my favourite photos of you at Christmas too, I always loved the way you're posing in this pic, it was really, really cute.
As you got older you got a lot paler, your markings faded and what we thought was a winter coat change... Was actually just you going white. You and Scruff both did.
We had a day where we gave you ham-cakes, both hamster pancakes, and cakes we'd made from pancake mix, put into cake cases, put in the oven, then decorated with hamster chocolate and hamster treats. As a hybrid you weren't usually meant to get much sugar, but we figured as a one off you'd be ok.
You loved them.
We also got two other photos I loved that day, this one I just thought was cute
Then there was this one... Possibly my favourite photo we ever took of you, and you're scarcely visible! It looks like the others decided you needed a cuddle, so you were just the little patch of near-white fur underneath Dusty and Bump lol
Over time your group went to a ZZ2, then an Alexander. You all settled well and seemed to enjoy the new cages. Eventually Dusty and Scruff caused the group to separate and after a lot of deliberation we chose to pair you with Bump. We knew that the two of you would be friends for life. We were right.
You shared an Alexander for the rest of your time together. Happy, sleeping together, cuddling, and enjoying time together.
You started to lose fur, took Bump to the vets with you and she was there when you were diagnosed with an unknown hormonal condition. We knew that it could be anything, from harmless to eventually fatal... It wasn't contagious so we let you stay with Bump. You loved having her there and we knew it was best. You still looked fantastic and we got more great photos of you.
Over time you lost more and more fur, but you stayed happy and we were happy you were happy. Recently we had a pregnant hybrid come to stay, and we thought she and the pups being there was upsetting you and Bump a bit. We had to take a lot of things out of your cage, and we watched you more closely - fearing it was a sign your condition had worsened. You and Bump stayed together, still getting on, and while your skin did begin to darken you seemed healthy and happy.
Until last night. We saw you on either Friday or Saturday, and you were happy, healthy and as fit as ever. Then last night... Your abdomen was badly swollen, you were lethargic and clearly not well. Bump had bitten your cheek, showing that your condition had progressed to a point where she couldn't stay with you. Sadly you were too unwell to care. You went from a happy, healthy ham with a hormonal condition, to clearly not having much longer. We put you in a duna with lots of food, water, broccoli... Soft bedding. I told you that it was up to you, you could do whatever you needed. If you needed to be reunited with Scruff then that was ok, if you wanted to wait and see the vet we'd take you first thing this morning. You got through the night, but this morning you were clearly dying.
We took you to the vet, who had to check to be sure you hadn't passed before she saw you. We asked her to help you. You got the peace you needed and are safely with Scruff now. The vet didn't really know you, but she was clearly sad too. We miss you, but we're really, really proud of you and Bump staying friends for so long.
You were an amazing little girl Timmy, so happy, friendly, you seemed unable to argue or not get on with anyone. We were lucky to share your life and we're glad you let us help you when you needed it.
You're back with Scruff, and we promise we'll look after Bump for you.
Play well Timmy, healthy and care free once more
Timmy
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