Goodbye Maple!

[SKB_Hamsters]

I am devastated and heartbroken right now as I didn’t expect to make another memorial thread so soon so I am finding this really upsetting and painful to type.

Sadly I found Maple this morning in her forever sleep – I am in shock but had prepared for this moment as Maple had been really unwell over the last few days with a severe upper respiratory infection (URI). I had taken her to the vets –despite being unwell Maple still bit the vet (as she didn’t like unfamiliar people) – Maple was diagnosed with a URI and was given a course of antibiotics. I had my finger firmly crossed that she would make a full recovery as I didn’t want to lose her but every day her health was declining further and further that it was heart breaking to experience. Maple was having a very hard time breathing and was refusing to both eat and drink. I had decided that if she looked worse today I would have taken her to the vets anyways but Maple decided to go on her own – which I appreciate as making that decision I find so very difficult.

It’s so heart breaking losing Maple well before her time – I had only had her for 2 month and she was a roughly around 5/6 months old. I felt like I was still getting to know this very special Maple and was thoroughly looking forward to all the mischief she was going to get up in the future to however this sadly was cut short far too early. That I am really lost for words and quite traumatised by the whole situation. I wish I could have done more to help her recover but did everything in my power to help – sadly it wasn’t enough. Yesterday I comforted Maple all day – she didn’t want to settle down in her playbin and was very unsteady on her feet – I got her out to try to calm her down, whilst stroking her she fell asleep in my hands so I sat cuddling her all day. Last night when I went to bed I was very worried, I gave her a kiss and settled her down when I woke up a 6am to give Maple her medicine she had already gone.

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A Message To Maple – I am so devastated right now not having you in my life anymore you were a truly special hamster who instantly stole my heart. I love you more than words could ever express but I know you knew how much you meant to me. You helped to heal my heart after the sudden loss of Pumpkin and I am so grateful I found you – as you meant everything to me that I can’t bare the thought of not having you to love, cuddle and spoil anymore. I wish that I could do anything to bring you back as you left me far too soon. I really enjoyed getting you know your very special personality who needed someone who understood you to help you to learn to trust me. You were my Messy Maple enjoyed making a right mess of your cage whilst you had your nights of fun and enjoyed throwing your stackable rainbow chew around your cage. I really enjoyed spending my evening with you whilst having cuddles on the sofa to watching you having so much fun in your cage. I didn’t want to say goodbye so soon but I will really miss you and you have left a huge paw print in my heart. At the bridge you will met up with some very special individuals – Honey, Caramel, Cotton, Cookie, Toffee, Sherbet, Pumpkin plus both Lavender and Poppy – some other lucky individuals like you who I loved so dearly. I am completely lost without you so sending you lots of cuddles, kisses and treats to you. XXXXXXXXXXXX
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I have never lost a hamster so young before so I am devastated and traumatised by the whole ordeal – although I treasured every single second I spent with her, I feel like we missed out on a lot of things that I wish I could have shared with her. I don’t know how active on the forum I will be over the coming days, weeks or even months as I am in so much pain right now.

1st July 2018 – 3rd September 2018 (approximately 5/6 months old)

Rest In Peace and Play Well at the Bridge Maple

Here are some photos of Maple that I will forever treasure …

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[Fluffagrams]

I'm so very sorry to hear this news SKB. Losing them so young is always hard.

Sleep well Maple.

[pinkpixie]

Sorry for the loss of beautiful little Maple xx

[Rads]

SKB, such devastating news I was expecting great things from Maple her colouration was just amazing.
You can trust that Maple is in very good company right now with many friends to look after her across the rainbow bridge.
I know how you feel when finding a much loved little fluff in their forever sleep for no good reason, we had the same with Pip.
So sending you our strongest thoughts and best wishes.

[mangoandmimi]

This is really sad, so young and so unexpected. You did everything you could’ve done to help her but must have been too much for little one to handle. Rest well Maple, and take care yourself.

[souffle]

I am so very sorry SKB - life is very cruel sometimes as our tiny friends are all too often called to the bridge too soon. They are very tiny and really so frail that sometimes their little bodies just cannot fight off such bugs. This year in particular has not been easy for hamsters with the heat and oppressive weather and bugs have flourished. It was nothing you did or didn't do SKB. You did your best for her and we can only try. Sometimes it just isn't meant to be.
Run free at the bridge Maple. Watch out for her rainbow SKB or that white feather from her angel wings x

[cypher]

I am so very sorry to hear your sad news SKB, I know how hard it is to lose a ham too young & long before their time, you must be totally heartbroken.
Maple's life was cruelly short but you made her life the happiest & best it could have been & gave her a life full of love, she couldn't have wished for more.
Thinking of you at this difficult time.

Run free & play well at the bridge Maple.

[Thin Lizzy]

I'm devastated to be reading this SKB, Maple's life had only begun, you did everything possible to make your gorgeous girl better, we all have doubts about ourselves and wondering if we could've done more for our little ones. Maple's life was cut short but, in that short time you gave her a wonderful home, unconditional love, kindness & care. She felt that from the moment you took her home to when she went to the rainbow bridge. I'm so glad she passed away in her sleep.
My eyes are filling with tears writing this. Sending you my love & hugs and that I'm thinking of you. xxxx

[Scarlett Empress]

I'm so sorry to hear about Maple SKB, it was such a shock to see this thread - your beautiful girl had such a good life with you and I am sorry that it was so short. I'm glad for you that she went peacefully in her sleep. Sending hugs xxx

[Coco61]

I didn't really register this thread title SKB. I can't believe it. When this happens it is such a shock. I lost Jeeves at 4 months just as I was about to take him to the vet. The speed at which an illness overwhelms a little furry can leave us stunned and thinking we should have done more. Souffle has written such wise words from long experience. Even I felt comforted reading them.
She was a beautiful girl, such a stunning coat colour. She had a wonderful time with you and loving care. The best possible life although far too short. Lovely photos you posted.
Rest in Peace special girl and play well with those that have gone before.
Hugs for you SKB and we are here for you whenever you are ready to return.

[Sasha04]

I couldn’t even understand what this title meant like so many others. Your Maple was one of my favorite hams to read about. I can’t tell you in words how sorry I am for you. It must be very hard to loss a ham at such a young age, I’m sending you huge huge hugs to get through this hard hard time. I can’t express my love for your little trouble maker. It sucks so much that hams have such a short life. You gave her the best life ever in her amazing Maple Manshion! I always loved ready about her and seeing her eat. I’m going to miss your Maples little trouble face with corn in it. I’m now balling my eyes out, I’m so so sorry SKB. Huge hugs to you, the HC community is here for when you are ready to return.
Play well at the bridge Maple with your fellow troublemakers.

[Hammy992]

I'm so very sorry to hear about Maple SKB, it must have been such a shock. You did everything you possibly could for her but sometimes nature can be so cruel and take our little ones from us before their time, despite our greatest efforts to help them. Maple was incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful life with you and I'm sure she always knew just how special and loved she is. Those photos are a lovely tribute to her.
Sleep peacefully beautiful girl xx

[JennySTL]

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear about Maple. She was so beautiful. You gave her a wonderful life - I hope that gives you comfort.

[mzwiwy]

So sorry to hear this. Hugs.

[Razor]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about Maple! I can only imagine how hard it must be for you SKB, losing young Maple so soon after Pumpkin. I had to read this twice to completely digest the news. You gave Maple so much love and gave her the happiest, most fun time. It was always so lovely to read up on her cheeky adventures and the adorable pictures. Run free and play well at the bridge dear Maple. You will be missed by all of us here in HC and especially your loving mum, SKB.

[BubbyandHamper]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry for your loss! I may still be raising my first but I know what loss is like either way. Hugs and blessings from me and Hamper to help heal your shattered heart. :,(

[SKB_Hamsters]

Thank you Fluffagrams, pinkpixie, Rads, mangoandmimi, souffle, cypher, Thin Lizzy, Scarlett Empress, Coco61, Sasha04, Hammy992, JennySTL, mzwiwy, Razor and Bubbyandhamper for you lovely heartfelt condolences, it is so hard at the moment as I still can’t get my head around what happened - one day Maple was perfectly happy fine and her usual self to really really ill the next. My heart is shattered and I really miss Maple. I only cleaned and sanitised a few bits of Maple’s things the rest I couldn’t bare the thought of cleaning them so I just put everything else in my loft. Your lovely messages really mean a lot and are a great support, so a huge thank you again.

Maple is buried beside Pumpkin in the flower bed in my garden with all my past hamsters. Like with all my other she buried with her whimzee and all of her favourite treats that she can take with her to the bridge.

[Thin Lizzy]

My eyes filled up about Maple being buried next to Pumpkin with her whimzee and favourite treats, the flower bed sounds perfect. You're in my thoughts and I'm sending big comfort hugs to you XXX

[cypher]

It's such a hard thing to come to terms with SKB, I hope your lovely flower bed gives you some comfort & it's lovely that all your hams are together there.
Thinking of you.

[Pebbles82]

I am so terribly sorry this has happened to you and your darling little Maple. Such a shock and so sad. Life can be cruel. All I can say is Maple was lucky to have you in her short life and she maybe had a susceptibility as there is no rhyme or reason as to why some hams never get sick and some healthy ones just succumb and leave us. It’s just very sad and she will be missed. Farewell little girl and play well over the rainbow bridge. Xxxxx

[Coco61]

A lovely final resting place for your beautiful Maple SKB. She will be remembered there and never be alone. It is such a hard time for you, I realise that. I can only send you the very best thoughts and wishes that time will help and make you smile again.

[SKB_Hamsters]

Thank you, Thin Lizzy, cypher, Serendipty7000 and Coco61 for you lovely messages. I find it so comforting knowing that she is with all my other hamsters in the same flowerbed which bring me so many wonderful memories. I always buried my hamsters with treat and any chew that they didn't get to finish - it a little ritual I have and it means a lot to me. It is still very strange adjusting to not having Maple and I'm still missing her loads.
All you thought and wishes mean a lot me - it lovely being in a supportive community who understand what you are feeling and going through.

[Pebbles82]

It certainly is - it was a great support to me - I was hugely affected when Charlie went - we all are and we understand. So many people don't. People with pets usually understand. But I can't imagine how hard it must be with a young hamster and I know Coco had that as well - so sad.

[dreamtree1234]

I am in total shock and am crying writing this to you, SKB. I am so, SO. . . sorry that you are going through another tragedy, and I am so sorry that I was unable to send my condolences to you sooner. I have not been on HC for over a month now as my beloved Mum has been going through several very serious health conditions lately and has been hospitalized for a while. This is the first day I had an opportunity to get onto HC, and I am totally heartbroken to discover that you had lost your precious Maple and so many others have gone through losses as well. I will probably not have many chances to get onto the forum much for a while as I and my family are taking care of our Mum and she is expected to return to the hospital again in a few days, but I am sending you my deepest condolences and heartfelt hugs.

I am SO sorry for your tragic loss of your beloved Maple. My heart breaks for you and all that you have gone through lately. It is truly tragic to lose one beloved pet, but to lose two in such a very short period of time is beyond heartbreaking. I totally understand what you are going through being utterly devastated after I lost a couple of my very young, beloved hams a few years ago in a very short time, too. My heart goes out to you during this extremely painful time, and I am sending you very huge hugs. Maple was a true charmer and was loved by all of us. She will be greatly missed because she touched so many hearts during her very short life. She was really blessed to be lucky enough to have you as her precious mum, loving and caring for her to the fullest. Even though she wasn't with you as long as you had hoped, she had a lifetime of being pampered and loved. I'm glad that she was able to pass peacefully at home where she always felt safe and secure. We are all here for you, SKB. Thank you so much for allowing us to get to know your little, darling fluffy through her wonderful thread. It was so evident how much you loved her dearly and she loved you so much in return. You had such an amazing, loving, and trusting bond with one another and you gave Maple the happiest life. She will live on in your precious memories of her and in her gorgeous pictures, and her paw prints will forever be in your heart. I am sure it will give you peace knowing that her final resting place is in that lovely flower garden with all the rest of your treasured and beloved fluffies that are at the Bridge. Hugs to you and whisker kisses from Eros.

Maple, may you have grand adventures at the bridge. You were truly loved and will be greatly missed by your loving mum and all of us here at HC. Please watch over your Mum and help her find comfort knowing that you are playing happily with all of her precious fluffies that have passed to the bridge before you.

[SKB_Hamsters]

Thank you dreamtree, for your very sweet message means a lot. I still miss Maple dearly and still get very emotionally thinking about her but they are memories I treasure.

[livedinhogwarts]

I'm so shocked and saddened to hear of Maple's passing. I'm so sorry for your loss SKB. I haven't been on HC for a long time, so I apologise that I didn't send my condolences any earlier. I have followed Maple's sweet heartwarming moments and adventures since when you first got her, so it is very upsetting to hear that she passed at such a young age.

You gave her the happiest life possible and cared for her so tenderly when she was ill, and I'm sure her and your other beloved hammies are smiling down on you from the rainbow bridge. Her final resting place sounds lovely, where she is right next to your sweet hams and among tasty treats. I hope you find some comfort in all this, SKB, as you gave her your best and loved her so dearly.

Run free and play well at the bridge gorgeous little Maple xxx