Why a hamster?

[Charlie Dunn]

Thank you serendipity. It is really nice to be back as they say! I completely agree that a hamster can be a really good pet for a child but, as you say, with appropriate supervision and support. We now know so much more about proper care for them so hope that as adults we can pass that on. I look at it that yes their lives are short but that is only to us - to them they are long and full lives and we need to make them as good as they can be. I hope serendipity that your stepson comes back to hamsters. I am sure he will. We just need to get small and inappropriate cages banned from sale; the manufacturers do know better! X

[arnoldshirl]

Why I got a hamster? Interesting question. Interesting answers/stories from all of you too. Cinnamon Bun is a Robororvski Dwarf Hamster that needs me as much as I need her, however, truth be told, I need her more because I am not a social person. For three years I have been sarcastically eye-rolled and labeled Introvert. After moving away from the city to live in the wide open countryside is where I found loneliness. There is a small town nearby where they have a pet shop, however, they don't offer much at all of a hamster's need. Even though they have at times a few hamster's for sale. I saw Cinnamon Bun alone in her cage there and she saw me too. We are two lonely solitary creatures needing each other's company. That's why I have a hamster.

[Pebbles82]

Don't worry about what other people think It sounds lovely living a quiet life in the country. I am someone, who could easily become a recluse but enjoy a family life and sometimes you just need to meet the right kind of people and not people who are just social animals x I am sure you will meet the right kind of people for you living in the countryside, but it can be hard to make a life. When I first moved to a rural area (it went with a course I was doing) from a town I thought - there's nothing to do. I used to do my work sat in a corner of a pub at week-ends as I liked the feel of not being too alone and the social atmosphere and surrroundings but still happy doing my own thing. And gradually a few other people who used to come in regularly got chatting with me (all professionals). But then I found some people were just a bit nosy and gossipy. But a few people became friends - but not people I would socialise with any other way.

But at first I thought - nothing to do here! No cinema to go to - but you find it's different in the countryside - things come to you. We have rural touring theatre that comes to village halls, and there's a cinema night once a month in a village hall. I don't know if you work from home or something, but sometimes just getting involved in some local farm work or volunteering can be nice.

I didn't really settle till I met my OH. But found I could enjoy my solitary life while still picking and choosing where and who I wanted to socialise with.