Sooty's Permanent New Home...

[Jill Bayles]

Has caused a bit of debate in the Bayles Family...Ryan was given a cage with a wire top but he wasn't keen on using that as he knows all about bar chewing thanks to my teachings and he reckons his dad will take forever to adapt a plastic bin cage but we agreed to inspect the donated cage and when that came out of storage we discovered from his mum that it had housed his cousin's hamster, which had died from wet tail and that her mum had "bleached" it...we gave it a good scrub with pet-friendly disinfectant and it removed white residue that had collected in the corners, leaving the usual urine colour which did come off with a bit of elbow grease but I was concerned that the bleach had left a residue that could harm Sooty and of course the wet tail aspect is concerning so I did a bit of research on the pc and came to the conclusion that it would be too risky for Sooty so we're getting a Gabber Rex from the man who supplied Hammy's...same colour hopefully. I tried to order it earlier but had problems accessing e bay so will try again tomorrow. It will be here in a couple of days. Ryan is over the moon as he's been hankering after a Rex from day one After the cage inspection his mum said that the cage had been sterilised not bleached but you never know and you can't be too careful.

I've had a good chat with Ryan's mum about Sooty going to live with them and she's assured me that the dog will not be allowed near Sooty as Ryan will be keeping him in his bedroom on top of his chest of drawers, out of reach of the dog, although he isn't allowed in there anyway. However she wouldn't be happy about Sooty going at the moment as she wants Ryan to be confident about caring for him first and she said she'll let me be the judge of that.

We've agreed that Sooty will move home a fortnight on Saturday and by then Ryan will be fully conversant with hammy care and they'll consult me as and when required. I'm no expert of course but I've read up on hamster care so know more than the basics and they know how well we look after Hammy.

The boys have agreed to try their hand at showing proper the next time we go to a show but they are reluctant to forego racing and pet class for all time so it's likely to be a one-off.

Ryan's dad is going to make a tube track for racing as he told me that you can get clear plumbing pipes...I didn't know that. He's going to have a look at the pics some time but there's no rush for that just yet.

Ryan's mum said she's grateful to me for providing Ryan with an interest that he can share with Aidan and they're a good little team when it comes to the hamsters. They've been making sure that they alternate their time out of the cages and working together on the feeds and water bottles and I've heard many a conversation between them about the need for the hamsters to be kept apart and why so they've grasped that concept.

We've earmarked Friday evening for the cage change, subject to the arrival of the new one.

Ryan's mum came round tonight to see Sooty and I can tell that she's warming to him although she's wary as she's never kept a hamster but that will change over time I'm sure.

So we'll be losing Sooty but that means we can accommodate another one quite comfortably so I might just order another Rex in readiness ...only jesting, that's not on the cards right now but if the right one came along then that could quickly change

[souffle]

Sounds ideal Jill. A nice gentle handover to a new hammy owner who will know how to care for his pet. Now Ryan will have to join us on the forum When you get the Gabber add some of Sooty's old bedding to it so his scent is transferred and that will help him settle.

[Jill Bayles]

Originally Posted by souffle

Sounds ideal Jill. A nice gentle handover to a new hammy owner who will know how to care for his pet. Now Ryan will have to join us on the forum When you get the Gabber add some of Sooty's old bedding to it so his scent is transferred and that will help him settle.

I discovered last night when I spoke to Ryan's mum that Ryan had been pleading to have Sooty with him and that his parents were reluctant because of their circumstances so then he told them that Sooty couldn't stay with us because I'd changed my mind and then he was telling me that his parents were insisting that Sooty had to live with them...he obviously felt unable to tell me the truth for fear of a ticking off...kids eh, who'd have em so the rot set in...but thankfully things are resolved now and they accept that it's best if they get a brand new cage so Ryan will enjoy setting it up and settling Sooty in...he's already told me about transferring some bedding and hoard to it so he's listening and we have little tests which he asks for so I know he's committed.

Ryan is going to join the forum, he has started reading the posts and last night he asked me to show him how it all works so it won't be long before his introduction is up. He loves the photo competition thread and has giggled his way through the various posts and can't wait to get some pics of Sooty up and to enter the competitions. I told him we'll have a photoshoot when Sooty gets his new cage.

And now I must return to the land of domesticity as we've got visitors for tea...Aidan's best friend from school, Niall, and his mum...and they're avid hamster lovers too...they have three...a Syrian and two small hamsters...forget what type they are now. So that's something else they have in common