Thank you, all. I'm starting to feel better about the situation. No, it would NEVER be two consecutive nights, definitely not without my getting the hamster-sitter involved. (She's a neighbor and does pet-sitting/dog-walking as her retirement "career." I do feel confident about the cage. And I do think I'm projecting emotions on the hamster that it may or may not have. Maybe Chiclet was coming out of the cage to please me more than herself...? Kind of kidding there, but I do know hamsters are accustomed to independence and some solitude.
I will check out Craigslist and see if I can locate some possibilities nearby!
Again, thank you, folks, for your input. This forum is such a good place to connect and learn.
