Sherlock

[evel_lin]

We brought Sherlock home when he was around 12 weeks old. He was my first hamster since I was a child and he helped me remember why they are such special little creatures

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/8153428651_b0ce353925.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dqush4)DSC06008 (https://flic.kr/p/dqush4) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8157853177_a58cc4ffcc.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dqT8wZ)DSC06032 (https://flic.kr/p/dqT8wZ) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

As a baby he even fell asleep on me a couple of times, although naturally his eyes opened when I tried to get a photo :)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8157879228_7e3b68a22a.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dqTgh9)DSC06036 (https://flic.kr/p/dqTgh9) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

After he was tamed he was a gentle little chap. He wasn't one for cuddles but he liked climbing around in my hands and investigating everything he came across

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8233641427_8e62c63117.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dxzyJX)DSC06081 (https://flic.kr/p/dxzyJX) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8234703574_fd96ea151c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dxF1tQ)DSC06085 (https://flic.kr/p/dxF1tQ) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8233638251_9ef9314172.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dxzxNc)DSC06088 (https://flic.kr/p/dxzxNc) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8254335327_358691ee70.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dzpCjk)DSC06140 (https://flic.kr/p/dzpCjk) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

He was so gentle with my children as well

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8334089464_cd0a586989.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dGsorE)DSC06310 (https://flic.kr/p/dGsorE) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8492148063_9cbcaf310e.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dWqtKV)DSC06670 (https://flic.kr/p/dWqtKV) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

[evel_lin]

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8493240292_4b10089027.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dWw5rs)DSC06677 (https://flic.kr/p/dWw5rs) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/8910913922_9bf3f30bb3.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ezqLfW)DSC_1118 (https://flic.kr/p/ezqLfW) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/10287271585_bedd957814.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/gF3Xrt)DSC_0003 (https://flic.kr/p/gF3Xrt) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/10287361073_516a3975f6.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/gF4q3n)DSC_0007 (https://flic.kr/p/gF4q3n) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/10287196335_625f691d07.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/gF3z54)DSC_0032 (https://flic.kr/p/gF3z54) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/12379507905_a8993a7d9b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/jRWdpt)DSC_0260 (https://flic.kr/p/jRWdpt) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

We knew we were unlikely to have a third Christmas with him. As his fur got increasingly thinner I started to suspect something was going on. Last week his bald belly developed some sore patches. We took him to the vets on Wednesday and he was diagnosed with Cushings

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/14692871306_6735641822.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oomNKm)DSC_0820 (https://flic.kr/p/oomNKm) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

Sadly the wounds on his belly didn't heal and by Friday evening we knew his days were numbered

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/14715558312_44d4b3f3a3.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oqn5NC)DSC_0828 (https://flic.kr/p/oqn5NC) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

My handsome little boy was a shadow of his former self. He still made me smile by sitting on his not-so-hairy "cushions" for a wash! He was my first boy hamster, I'd never seen how they managed their equipment before lol

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14529178460_74c67538c7.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o8TQyU)DSC_0845 (https://flic.kr/p/o8TQyU) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

When we looked at him Saturday afternoon we could see his wounds were getting infected. We took him to the vets knowing we probably wouldn't be bringing him home. The vet agreed that it was unlikely antibiotics would ever cure the infection and you could see he was in pain.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/14692845036_5e67d1c83a.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oomEWq)DSC_0853 (https://flic.kr/p/oomEWq) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

My little boy was put to sleep peacefully. He's left such a huge hole. He is the third hamster we've lost this year but I'm still finding it hard knowing he's gone.

Run free at Rainbow Bridge Sherly-bum. Thank you for spending almost 2 years with us. We miss you

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/14529195048_5c827070ce.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o8TVuU)DSC_0851 (https://flic.kr/p/o8TVuU) by evel_lin (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

[racinghamster]

What a lovely tribute evel_lin to a beautiful lad. The images clearly tell the story and he soldiered on bravely, as did yourself. It`s so difficult to lose them. I only have wee Fred now and he will be three in August! So if he gets past the milestone that Sherlock reached, I will be so proud of him and Sherlock has shown just what stamina and resolution hamsters can have.

Brave wee man, rest in peace Sherlock. x

[TraceyH]

Awful disease Cushings is. I'm sorry for your loss of lovely brave Sherlock.

[JBH316]

Sleep tight Sherlock x

[DrKMcK]

What a wonderful memorial to Sherlock evel_lin. I loathe Cushings. It does such drastic damage to hammies. I am so sorry this happened to your lovely little ham-man. Play well at the Bridge Sherlock. :-(

[kimlck]

A lovely memorial to a well loved little man.
Play well Sherlock xx

[corrieberry]

I am so sorry another baby has left you :( It sounds like he had the most wonderful life and his pain is now gone. Lots of love and snuffles from London.

[souffle]

I am so sorry for your loss. He really was a beautiful and amazing little man and will be much missed.
Play well at the bridge Sherlock x

[evel_lin]

Thank you everyone