I'm a senior hamster?

[Roxie]

Originally Posted by Nikorusama

I'm really sorry Roxie. I remember that I was reading the cookie thread each post wishing and hoping she was okay and I was wishing her well but I felt I didn't know you or the group well enough to comment, especially when it's so sensitive I feel like I might offend someone but honestly I was wishing you and her well all the time. Next time I will post as I do care about all the HC hamsters. So sorry again.

Oh no, please don't take it personally. My post is not directed at anyone in particular, it's just a general thing and a point of discussion so really no need to apologise at all . I appreciate the sentiment, so thank you .

[Nikorusama]

Originally Posted by Roxie

Oh no, please don't take it personally. My post is not directed at anyone in particular, it's just a general thing and a point of discussion so really no need to apologise at all . I appreciate the sentiment, so thank you .

I didn't feel like you were directing it specifically at me but I just wanted to let you know why I didn't post and let you know that it wasn't because I didn't care and hopefully for the other new members it might have also been because of the same thing.

[Roxie]

I really appreciate it Niko, thank you .

[Nikorusama]

You are welcome

[KatiePillow]

Originally Posted by Roxie

I see your point and respect it 100% but with me, ever since joining the forum I have made a huge effort to send best wishes to Hamsters who are ill and to extend my sorrys to those that have passed on. When I had a sick Hamster it was only my friends and a few other lovely forum members who at this point I don't know so well (hope to change that ) who showed concern so it was a bit of a kick in the teeth, hence why I wrote what I did earlier on in the thread. There's people I don't get on with here and that's life but I still respect and care about their pets so perhaps I'm a bit bitter that only a select few cared about mine. It's hard to show support for others when you get nothing back.

This probably has no place here, but I just wanted to explain myself properly .

See, when I looked through I thought I saw everyone comment on that thread, although it's obviously more obvious when it's your hamster in need - and it's a very sensitive time etc.. so you probably noticed better

I didn't specifically mean you, it's just I saw people agreeing and just wanted to express my opinion on it.

eta: Also, I remember when alfie was passing and you and Panda were lovely on his thread, so it is appreciated

[kyrilliondaemon]

I rarely post in the memorials section, but I do read it and do care.
I just feel a bit awkward about being sorry the hamster is gone when I often never got the chance to know it much at all.
Can I ask if people would appreciate the post anyway though?
If I thought it'd go well I'd happily post in the memorials, just get worried the person who lost the pet would prefer to only get condolences from those who know them and the pet a bit more.

I do my best to post in the ones trying to help when someone is ill though, or just to hope they get better soon. I follow quite a few threads there, and do hope for the hamsters (I even get excited when they recover, and am sad enough to make a sad noise when I see bad news there). Most recently I was genuinely worried about Mona, before Mona there was Buttons, and before Buttons there was the awful weekend where both Cookie and Poppy had problems, and am still glad Cookie recovered and still very sorry the others didn't. There have been other hamsters between those, those were just a few I thought to name. I prioritise checking that section over most others, just can't often offer much useful help unfortunately

I don't find this forum is too bad for cliques and such. The other forum I use used to be horrible for it, and to be honest still is to an extent (I've just stopped being intimidated by it and have worked my way to having my own friends anyway when I need them).
Sometimes the in jokes here get confusing, but I mostly worked out the "HANDS" thing, actually found it kinda funny in a way, and I've never felt like anyone wants to leave me out because I don't know everyone that well yet. So I do find this quite a friendly forum.
It used to intimidate me a lot because we use rotastak combined with a bin, and I took a while to learn that everyone will respect other views even if sometimes views are er... not stated too diplomatically lol

[Roxie]

Originally Posted by KatiePillow

eta: Also, I remember when alfie was passing and you and Panda were lovely on his thread, so it is appreciated

Your comments on Cookie were also very much appreciated.

I didn't think you were directing it at me , but I thought it was a good time to just expand on what I said as I thought it could make an interesting discussion.

[Nikorusama]

I agree with kyrillions post thats how I feel generally .

[MummyofMonkey]

I have only been on HC since November and between caring for my two boys, working part-time, caring for 3 hammies I don't post on here too often although I do try to read all the unread posts.

I have been made to feel really welcome on here but reading through the posts sometimes it is obvious some members know each other really well and the conversations can make new people like me feel they can't post a comment as it it a 'private conversation'. I wouldn't want to unintentionally offend or upset anyone by saying something wrong because I don't know them or their circumstances so I often read a post but not reply even though I may want to send my best wishes or condolences etc.

I adore my 3 hamsters, life has been tough at times and I find reading and posting on here relaxing and informative and I hope I can contribute to keeping happy hamster pets in some small way without causing offence to anyone

[Roxie]

I understand where you're all coming from in regard to the private jokes and things. I hold my hands up and admit that I've been guilty of that in the past as well as general chit chat , but I'm trying to limi that now. Granted, I fail quite a lot, but I am trying .

I can imagine it can be quite alienating for new and old members and can totally understand why it might put some people off posting.

This has turned out to be a really wonderful discussion and it's been great to hear other peoples thoughts and feelings. I'm so glad it's stayed friendly and honest and hasn't descended into something negative. The community needed this, I feel.