sudden hamster death

[sunnylove]

Today hempy was totally fine, and has been totally fine, nothing different in his diet i gave him a little celery the other day which i never do but everything i read said that was ok to do.

I feel guilty like i killed my hamster
he was probably like 2-3 years old if not a bit older, not sure on exact age i took him off a friend who was moving out of state about a year ago or so . he was always given fresh fruits and veggies everyday im a big veggie eater being vegan so i often pass out tid bits to the pets..

His eyes are completely open like a sudden death hes a little bit from his nest ..

I guess i feel really guilty like i did something....

to top it all off its winter here in canada and the ground is fozen....

[souffle]

I am sorry to hear of your loss.
At this age though he was a very old hamster and his death sounds peaceful and most likely due to a sudden heart attack or stroke simply due to old age. They often lie slightly out the nest when they pass over so don't worry about that. It was nothing you did and he sounds to have been much loved and enjoyed life to the full.
Could you perhaps do a pot burial till spring? Get a large pot and some fresh soil from the garden centre and place him in there and then plant a hardy plant on top and put him outside in a sheltered area or greenhouse maybe. In the spring the plant will grow and flower then maybe befoe next winter sets in the whole pland can be planted out in the garden. His body will have joined the circle of life by then.
Play well at the bridge Hempy x

[cypher]

I'm so sorry for your loss, please try not to feel you have done anything wrong, as souffle says Hempy lived to a really good age & old age is the reason he died. It's often sudden like this & must have been a great shock for you but it most definitely isn't your fault in any way.
You gave him a great life & obviously cared for him well, I'm sure he appreciated that.
Play well at the bridge Hempy.

[Thin Lizzy]

So sorry to hear of Hempy's passing.
You did nothing wrong but love Hempy unconditionally.
I love Souffle's idea about doing a pot burial, this will let you say goodbye and then when the ground thaws out, you could give him a ground burial.
Sounds like you have lots of happy memories that will have you laughing and crying but, remember he had a long and wonderful life.
Thinking of you and sending some big hugs xx