Sleep tight Custard

[Hammy992]

I am very sad to let you all know that my sweet little Custard passed away this evening in his nest. He had come home from having his liver cyst aspirated for a second time and was still drowsy from the anaesthetic; he looked very peaceful as though he passed away in his sleep which does give me some comfort. I am so glad that he was at home in familiar surroundings when it happened. He was 2 years 8 months old so he had a good long life filled with many treats, toys and love.
He always had such determination, even with his various health conditions in later life he battled them like a champ and never let them stop him from living his hamstery days to the fullest. He was my first ever hamster and well and truly a heart ham through and through, with his sassy attitude and great love of food (just like his owner). When I first saw him in the pet store he was sitting on a bendy bridge calmly watching all the other hams going stir-crazy around him, and when I asked about him the assistant said "Yeah, that one always steals the other hamsters' food, that's why he's so fat" - from that moment on I knew he was coming home with me. He has been such a joy these past 2 and a half years and I know that thanks to him, I will one day have room in my heart for another hammy as they are such adorable little fluffs with their twitchy noses, whiskers and unconditional love. I will always remember you Custard; if you only knew just how loved you are.

Run well and free at the bridge little guy, you've earned it xoxox

[souffle]

I am so very sorry for your loss. Nobody could have tried harder for him and showered him with so much love. He will be much missed.
Run free at the bridge Custard x

[Josie]

So sorry to hear of Custard's passing, he lived to a good age and was loved and cared for, play well at the bridge Custard hugs to you xxxx

[cypher]

I'm so sorry Hammy992, you did everything you could for Custard, he had a good long life with you full of love , I'm sure he will be very sadly missed but he is at peace now.

Run free & play well at the bridge Custard.

[Hammy992]

Thank you for your kindness Souffle, Josie and Cypher, it means a lot to me x I have been trying to arrange a cremation service for Custard today which has been very stressful due to so many of the services being inaccessible to people who don't drive, as well as a couple of people I spoke to who were quite cold and dismissive towards me. Even though they offer the small pet service I as soon as I said hamster they became so much less caring, which is a shame because his species does not make the passing of my beloved pet any easier to deal with. Also my usual vet practice is closed most of the day on Wednesdays so I was not able to call them. However, I did get in contact with another Goddards branch and they told me the crematorium they use is in Cambridge so I will give my own vet a call for a chat in the morning. I also spent some time moving Custard from his cage into something more appropriate for his journey which, as you all know well, is quite an emotional experience.

Last night after he had gone into his forever sleep I sat with him for a while wrapped up in a blanket and just held him and petted him. He looked so peaceful and that made me both happy for him but also sad that I'll no longer see him waiting for me to give him his evening treats anymore. Since he lived in my bedroom it will be very strange to not hear him pottering around in the background, for the first time in 2 and a half years there's nothing but silence. At some point I will need to empty and clean his cage but I don't think I can bring myself to do it just yet.

[Coco61]

I am so sorry about your loss of Custard. After such a long time together, it is very hard not to have the little one around.
If you are having trouble with a cremation, you could consider buying a nice plant pot and burying Custard there and then having a nice plant in the pot.
RIP Custard and play well at the bridge.

[mzwiwy]

So very sorry to hear this. Hugs.

[Drago]

I’m terribly sorry to hear this. I’ve said it before, but it seems like there’s been too many deaths of beloved hamsters lately It sounds like little Custard meant a lot to you. I know what it’s like to have, and lose, your heart ham. Keep your head up even in these rough times. May he play well at the bridge xx

[Hammy992]

Thank you for your well-wishes Coco, mzwiwy and Drago.

Coco- I do love the plant pot idea but I don't have much of a green thumb I'm afraid, and if I planted something and it didn't survive I'd be quite upset. The other main reason I would like to have a keepsake of Custard's ashes is that my entire family live in Australia and although I'm not planning on going anywhere, if I ever had to move back for any reason I would be able to take him with me as long as I had the relevant documents to go with it.
The room is very quiet without him in it; every little sound I hear I automatically look towards his cage to see if he's in there snuffling in his food bowl or rearranging his nest. It's sad seeing all his little things sitting in there as he left them.

Drago- yes, I agree. Every time I log into HC lately there is a new memorial post; makes my heart sink every time I see one. Custard is my first ever hamster and he has been with me almost the entire time I've lived abroad so he has been a great comfort to me during some tough times. I am glad that he is at peace now and able to finally rest after reaching such a great age but I do miss him very very much.

[Coco61]

I understand all that Hammy992. It is the ability to be mobile that makes a plant pot appealing. One of my daughter's pets was cremated when she lived in a flat and the ashes are in a little heart shaped box for that purpose. It has moved with her. If you ever consider a plant pot in the future, then consider planting a lavender plant. Pretty and hardy! My little Jeeves sleeps under one.