The Great Escape Number Two...

[Jill Bayles]

Occurred this evening when Aidan took Hammy into the bathroom en route to his bedroom for some fun on his bed. He put Hammy down on the bathroom floor while he used the loo, not realising that there is a hole behind the sink, down which Hammy scarpered before he could stop him. I knew that Aidan had taken Hammy upstairs and why, but what I didn't know was that he'd gone into the bathroom en route.

Upon hearing Aidan frantically screaming "Mum mum come quick" I rushed into the bathroom to find Aidan hysterical...he was pointing to the floor behind the sink and screaming "Hammy's gone down there".

I was absolutely mortified when I looked down the hole and saw nothing but blackness...I feared the worst...thought Hammy had fallen into the bowels of the earth...until rational thought kicked in and I realised that the floor level would be not too far down there...grabbed a torch and was relieved to see that the floorboards were just an inch or so down, which gave me hope...then went into "Hammy-speak" mode and sprinted off downstairs to boil an egg in the hope that the pungent smell would lead Hammy back to us, as it did the last time he went missing.

By then I was in floods of tears whilst Aidan couldn't speak and was shaking uncontrollably. I told him not to worry and that I'd try my best to find Hammy...don't know which one of us needed the most convincing mind.

Came back upstairs and when I went back into the bathroom I was greeted by...Hammy, who'd somehow managed to find his way back to the opening and climb out of the hole. He was sitting on his hunkers with his paws up in the air and I was so relieved I gave him a great big hug and a yoghurt drop. The sight of him moved Aidan to tears, bless him.

Later I heard Aidan talking to Hammy in his cage..."You're my little munchkin man and I never want you to leave home again ever. I'm going to be more careful in future and keep you safe so you can't disappear down holes. You're going to love the race track I'm making for you little fella, it's quality. And I love you too. I'm so glad mum found you." Ah bless!

So all's well that ends well.

And as for that hole, well that's going to be made "Hammy-proof" asap. No more Hammy escape route available there after Monday, I can assure you!

[Widowmaker]

Your Hammy sounds like a proper character.

So glad he's OK now. He does like worrying you!!

[SnuggleHam]

That hamster could break out of alcatraz and find its way to land!

[Hana]

Hammy certainly has his little adventures doesn't he! I'm glad hes back saftely in his cage

[souffle]

Goodness me that was lucky. Glad he is home safe and sound.

[pophammy]

Oh no! So glad you found him again!

[suga]

Jill - that little fella needs keeping a close eye on eh? Still safe and sound again. :)

[Holly]

Oops, he certainly is a little character ...I'm glad he came back safely.

All of our three have 'escaped' - but never from cages or whilst we are handling - always from their exercise balls ...the lids just aren't tight fitting enough on the origial ones we got from the petshop (apart from the one that was sooo tight fitting we had to smash it to get Treacle out ). Fortunately we have always been in the room with the hammies when they got out and noticed them more or less straightaway - only Treacle managed to get under the sofa, the other two just sort of waited for us to come and rescue them!!!

I'm not impressed with the original balls so on Friday I bought a Pennine one (the clear one with the coloured 'doors') from Wilkinson's for 1.99 - it's fantastic and half the price of the petshop ones! The doors lock firmly but open easily when you want them to. I shall be getting two more!

[Basia]

Glad to hear Hammy is back safe and sound. Have been lucky so far - no escapes.
Holly - put some sellotape around the middle of the Pennine ball, Basil managed to crack his open bashing into things.

[babyboos]

Oh Jill you will be completely white haired before long, glad all ended well