I know I haven't been around the forum loads due to uni etc, and I was going to come on here as soon as it happened, but with stress and other things building up in my personal life, I haven't had time to sit down and remember my baby. Until now. On Saturday 26th November 2011 at about 4:25pm, my beautiful Sprout got put to sleep. The amount he meant to me, I cannot possibly describe, but I can try, so here we go.
In July 2008 (way before I joined the forum) I picked Sprout out at my local P@H. One day I just woke up and decided I wanted to have a hamster again, as I hadn't owned one for years and the timing just felt right. He picked me instantly, he wasn't the most active or the fluffiest or the biggest, but he was mine before I knew it. The moment we looked at each other, we knew we had to have each other. I picked him and he jumped out of the assistants hand, but survived the drop. I was offered another hamster, but I said no, he was mine and just because he had fell a few feet didn't mean I was going to put him back.
I took him home and sat staring at him for a bit, he was desperate to get out. So I was naughty and forgot about the time you're meant to leave them to settle and got him out. He was instantly tame, he accepted humans 110%, he had no problems with me and never did. The only time he bit was by accident if I was feeding him food or when he was ill and needed to let me know.
Over time, I got more and more hamsters including Skittles and Shadow, who passed a few months ago. Together I called them the 3 Hamketeers, due to their names all beginning with the same letter. I was on the forum by this point, searching advice and updating pictures all the time of my furry friends.
I went to Lymm Hamster Show in 2010 and watched Shadow and Skittles win various prices. Sprout was slowing down so only participated in the pet class, in which he came 4th. He behaved perfectly and was so tame.
He fathered a litter with Shadow, known as the Spradows. Little Loki, Monty, Luna and Velvet were all lovely, though sadly Luna and Monty have gone to the bridge.
Sprout outlived many of the animals around him, some being fellow adult hamsters, some being his children. Even when he was bony and weak, he still trundled on in need of a cuddle or just to do a lap of his cage for some entertainment.
Sprout meant and still means the world to me. He opened me up to a greater love of animals than I already had, with his gentle ways and the way I connected with him like I have done with hardly any other animal before. I will miss him forever, and he will always be a huge part of my life. He is being individually cremated this week and I will have a part of him back with me soon, to have that joy is a blessing to me.
He was beautiful, incredible and extremely special. Sprout, I know you were confused when I took you the vet when I saw you unable to walk or eat. I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you, being taken into another room with the vet was the most painless way for you to go. I didn't want you to hurt anymore, I wanted you to be free to soar in that big hammy heaven in the sky with everyone. You left such an impact on everyone, I must of had about 50 messages remembering you, the vet cried when she had to put you down. You were so so so loved, and I never want you to forget that no matter where you are.
Sorry for the extended memorial but he deserves it.
I love you Sprout, Rest in Peace my Angel.
15th July 2008 - 26th November 2011
My Angel in the Stars: Sprout
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