Goodbye Alby, we loved you so much.

**AlbysMum** · 01-08-2018, 11:53 AM

Hey everyone. I am so upset to be posting here. BF and I are in total shock.

We got Alby about 3 months ago. We adopted him from a family who were keeping him in a tiny cage in a flat with someone who was smoking indoors. We rescued him, gave him a big new cage, and gave him the attention he’d never gotten. We were all great pals and we made so many memories in the little time we had with him. They had told us he was 10 months old, I think this is true as he has not showed any signs of ageing.

It’s so shocking because we had him out last night. We played and cuddled with him on the bed. The room has heating. I noticed that he’d not got up at 6am with me today so I guessed that maybe he’d been tired. When I got home an hour ago I just felt like something wasn’t right. I called his name and ruffled his bedding. No response, so when I took a closer look I saw his little fluffy body was lifeless. I’d do a health check on him everyday and saw no abnormalities. It’s a total mystery. I feel so angry like I missed something. I’m wondering if maybe he had underlying respiratory problems due to the smoking where he lived before us for 10 months. I also noticed a sort of blue colour to the lower right side of his belly, but this was not there last night. I don’t even know where to bury him because we live in central London. I’m so sorry Alby. I wish we could have prevented this.

I probably won’t be active on this account for a little while. BF and I will probably get another hamster soon but I really don’t want to get one just to “replace” Alby. We will probably adopt again.

CMB · 01-08-2018, 12:03 PM

Sorry for your loss.

**AlbysMum** · 01-08-2018, 12:57 PM

Thank you CMB.

If anyone has any ideas as to where we can bury him I’d be really grateful. We have a bit of grass land behind our flat but it doesn’t feel very nice to put him there as lots of drug deals happen on this area (Whitechapel is a strange place) and I’d rather put him somewhere to rest that is nice for him. We have looked into pet cemeteries but the price is not in our favour (BF is a chef and I’m a nurse paying extortionate rent). We are central London based.

CMB · 01-08-2018, 01:01 PM

How about a big plant pot, with some lovely plants in. Sort of a mini memorial garden. You could have it on a balcony, patio or just by the front door.

This would depend on if you are on the ground floor or up higher.

cypher · 01-08-2018, 01:38 PM

So sorry for your loss, it must have been a shock to lose Alby so suddenly & it's very sad that you had such a short time with him but you filled that time with love & gave him a good life with you.

Run free & play well at the bridge Alby.

Coco61 · 01-08-2018, 01:44 PM

So very sorry to hear about Alby. Such a shock for you but you rescued him to a life full of care and love.
I second what CMB said about a plant pot. My daughter's 4 hamsters are in a pot with a plant. It is on our garden patio until they have somewhere with an outdoor area rather than their rented flat. Then her hammies can go to their permanent resting place with her.

**AlbysMum** · 01-08-2018, 02:40 PM

Thank you for the kind words and burial suggestions.

We’ve been doing some research into the plant pot method and think this is a great idea that will suit us. I am not in work tomorrow so will try to locate a nearby garden centre. Does anyone know what will be the best way to do this/best thing to plant above Alby? Or if there’s a place with more information on this?

Thank you all once again xx

Coco61 · 01-08-2018, 03:02 PM

I have done this myself last September. If you look under the memorials sectionin the forum, you will find Farewell, My Little Mocho.
If you look at the photos on the thread, on page one there is the garden pot I bought with a plant available that I really liked. With proper compost and well drained. All done at B&Q.
I buried him with his nest around him.
Later in the thread, you will find a photo of the memorial beach stone I ordered for him.
From Pets Remembered.

Drago · 01-08-2018, 03:49 PM

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your sweet little Alby. Sometimes, just as devastating as losing a beloved little one, is not knowing why. Don't blame yourself though, with things like these, heart failure, and other generally undetectable issues are often at fault. Take the time you need to recover. I understand a bit of a hiatus, I didn't come around here much after the passing of my hams. Take your time to recover, and find comfort in knowing that you provided a good, loving home for Alby. Play well at the bridge little one xx

https://rainbowsbridge.com/Grief_Sup...pport_Home.htm

astrid · 01-08-2018, 08:01 PM

I am so sorry for your loss of the lovely Alby. I'm sure the time he has spent with you was the best time that he's ever had.