Benni's intro and adoption story

[larry ben kenobi]

Meet lil Benni, a 1 yr old (as far as we know) Syrian female. She is the sweetest, most docile, inquisitive little thing who loves a good burrow, running on her wheel, and hoarding


This is where I got her from

Her past family meant well enough but they had no idea what they were doing. She had cedar bedding, labelled as "Hamster Bedding" sold at a local grocery chain. They got a strongly-worded letter from me, and if any other Canadians would like to write No Name Brand c/o Loblaws, feel free. https://www.loblaws.ca/contact-us

When they gave her to us, they said they thought she was 1 yr old. I am going to take her to the vet to find out, because while she is incredibly active with shiny lil eyes, I am wondering if they can tell us more about her age as well as her health.



Here is her new home! The left side is sand/rocks, but not very visible. I am getting her a new wheel (Carolina Storm) next week but in the meantime she adores this one. I cleaned up and kept her little blue igloo from her previous home, and stuck it under one of the straw hides and she has been building the nest of nests there with toilet paper, as well as burying her little hoard.






When we first popped her in the Detolf, she started hoarding and exploring like crazy -- millet sprays, oat sprays, the food I scattered, every last piece of toilet paper. I was almost worried she was never going to de-pouch.



But she did! Phew.



Built her a little house -- that is an in-progress pic from before I added the baseboards to cover that jagged bottom.



And here she is enjoying the plants on her deck... Though she never uses the bendy bridge to get up there, lol.

The "houseplants" are just timothy hay, millet, oat sprays, reptile moss put into wooden napkin rings I protected. So much fun to make.

I am so happy to finally have her. Watching her settle in has been so much fun, and she loves to visit with people. Such a sweet lil ham! Also, if anyone wants to offer constructive criticism regarding cage setup I am completely open to that. This is my first hamster.

[Rads]

Hi and welcome to HC,
Benni is a lovely looking little thing, well done for rescuing her, and giving her a loving new home with lots to do and tons of space to explore, will look forward to hearing of her adventures.

[Sasha04]

Congrats on Benni! It always so exiting to have a new ham in your life! Hams are such amazing creatures!
She is so gorgeous and beautiful! I’m am so happy you got her from that situation! She is such a lucky ham to have fallen into your hands! I love your IKEA Detolf setup and the natural theme. I aswell have a Detolf that is a nutural theme. I love that house that you made, it is very creative. I’m so so exited to hear more about Benni and her adventures to come!

[cypher]

Well done for giving Benni such a lovely home, what a sweet girl, love those ears! She looks to be really enjoying life there!

[BethandLil]

Welcome Benni! What a wonderful upgrade on her last home!

[JennySTL]

Wow! I would seriously live in that cage myself if I were hamster size. Talk about moving up in the world. Thank you for rescuing Benni - she is so lucky to have you!

[larry ben kenobi]

Aww thanks for the kind words, all.

This morning Benni decided she wanted to burrow and eat at the same time, and knocked down a little divider to do so. I've decided I'm gonna follow her lead and make the cage more burrow-based and open plan.

[Sasha04]

Aww! What a cutie!