Bernie (Aka: Bubbe) came 1 year and 4 months early!

Jenibelle · 12-31-2015, 01:59 PM

If you were following my "Watch Me Build My Tank" thread, you will know that I wasn't supposed to get a hamster until after I graduated college.

But when a hamster chooses you, a hamster chooses you! Am I right, or am I right? And it just so happens, this specific hamster even won my boyfriend over. Now THAT means business. We were both just so smitten that the boyfriend offered to care for him all by himself while I'm away at school... so Bernie (aka: Bubbe) came home way earlier than expected.

Question though... he is already pretty tame. He has no problems being lifted from underneath, or pet. He hasn't warning nipped or anything. Both my boyfriend and I have held him. And he has taken food from my hand. We are both doing the tissue trick, but should we give him time to settle, or can we love on him when he is really up tonight?

Here are some pictures from when he was exploring his new pad!
(You will notice that his sand area is not totally filled with sand - that will come in by the 6th. He also does not have a wheel yet, but it is ordered with express shipping, and will be in within 2-3 days).

Does he look healthy? How old do you think he is? He was with 2 of his male siblings still at the pet shop. The lady at the pet-store estimated that he was 3 months old, but wouldn't that be much to old to still be cuddly with his brothers? Besides, he seems small.

"Whoah, what's this?"

"Can I climb it?"

"Maybe.. but let's check out the inside first..."

"The inside was nice, Mama!"

"Wait a second... I think I smell something familiar..."

"...My old bedding! Let me rub my face all into it."

"Just as a suspected... this is a good vantage point."

"Hmm, I wonder what's down here? Let me just peak my head over, to make sure it's safe."

Jenibelle · 12-31-2015, 02:00 PM

"And what do we have HERE? I better give this thing the sniff test."

"Wha? You mean I can eat it?"

"Mama and Papa say I can eats you. You will be nommed!"

"Hello down there!"

And here is the little bugger showing off his skills:

**DrKMcK** · 12-31-2015, 02:11 PM

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL! Oh, is he beautiful. How exciting! I just love him in the cage exploring everything. He'll be fine with all that until the wheel comes in. This guy is living in style!
Seriously, he's having a great beginning. I would let him settle in tonight and give him some time to call his wonderful new place HOME. Talk to him and pet him a bit if he allows it, but remember, this is all new and exciting (stressful) to him too. Too much at once could overwhelm him.
With him capturing both of your hearts, this little guy will have such a great life. He's home one day and you've done a gorgeous photo spread of him.

Congratulations!!! You're a Hamster Mom!

Edit: Oooooo. I just realized...a Happy New Year Hamster! Who could ask for more?

BrainGirl · 12-31-2015, 02:13 PM

LOL you are so right! The hamster rules

Congratulations!

Jenibelle · 12-31-2015, 02:19 PM

Hahaha, thanks!! It's crazy how things work out sometimes. I was so sad leaving him last night, and I think the boyfriend really caught onto that. I've played with plenty of hamsters without longing to bring a specific one home, but this one was different. So the boyfriend agreed to come with me when I visited him today, but it turns out it was much more than just a visit!

Coco61 · 12-31-2015, 03:14 PM

Welcome to HC Bernie. You are going to have a wonderful 2016 little guy!
Great photoshoot Jenibelle, showed him exploring all your loving and hard work.
You have read enough here to know to let him settle down and make this his home. No cleaning out and take the taming at his pace. If he is happy with you then fine but don't be disheartened if he takes a little time.
Congratulations again to you both.

Jenibelle · 12-31-2015, 04:12 PM

Thank you so much

I hope I'm not getting my hopes up, but I honestly don't think it will take him long to settle. I visited him multiple days at the store and he was so love able and curious both times.

cypher · 12-31-2015, 10:52 PM

Hello Bernie

What a little beauty! Congrats

He does look very confident exploring there but he does need to make his new house feel like home & adjust to everything so I would still go slow & let him settle for a few days.

cheekytita · 01-01-2016, 02:18 AM

Hahahaha I first read your thread about his potty-ing and I was a bit confused like 'Is this the same girl building the tank? I thought she would get a hamster after a year?' Then this thread cleared my head. Haha but I can't blame you... Bernie looks reeally really cute in the photos. Even captured my heart!

Pebbles82 · 01-01-2016, 05:26 AM

He is beautiful and looks like he's really enjoying his cage. I agree I'd leave him 2 or 3 days to settle in and then or he may get freaked with too much too soon. Then start with a treat on the palm of your hand and let him walk onto your hand.