Potentially picking up a little boy Syrian tomorrow

[Mweekie]

Heya,

I know it's just been less than a fortnight since my little Russian Dwarf Minx passed away, but over that time, I have really missed hearing the little rustle of paws in her tank - so I've been treating myself a little on a new wheel, house etc. and will be potentially picking up a little boy Syrian tomorrow from a friend of mine who has got a couple left from her latest hamster - who has only bred once and has my friend has retired her - like a lot of us, she doesn't like breeding from the same hamster continuously - and the litter are really sweet - 5 boys and 2 girls.

Both girls and 3 of the boys have already gone to pre-vetted good homes, but two of them haven't been sold yet. The boys will be 9 weeks tomorrow, and fairly tame already - so I am happy to see how they are and if all is well - I shall be bringing a new little addition home tomorrow morning.

Just a quick question - I will be driving by myself to Wellingborough from just north of Bedfordshire tomorrow - will he be OK in a Ferplast carrier for the 45 minute journey home?

Been a long time since I've had a Syrian - think the last one was Cocoa - but I am really looking forward to it - had a lot of things going on lately and need a bit of a pick me up

Mweekie xx

[souffle]

That's lovely news.
He should be fine in the carrier for that time with plenty bedding and some of his old stuff with his scent on it.
Looking forward to meeting him

[Mweekie]

Thanks Souffle,

Well...little Horatio came home with me on Friday afternoon!

Apologies for the late update - but since Friday evening I've had a bit of a cold - sore throat and blocked nose - feeling better today.

Because of this, I haven't spent a lot of time with Horatio - as I'm aware he needs to settle, but I also didn't want to give him this cold.

He's still very...I wouldn't say nervous, but cautious - but then I've only had him a couple of days and he's only about 6 weeks old.

I was meant to pick up a slightly older male hamster - but my friend's other hamster (who was a pregnant rescue), had Horatio and his siblings and they had just turned about 6 weeks old.

Horatio seems to be quite a character already - he came out on Saturday night and took a treat from me - but then bolted back into his nest (once he had found it) and didn't come back out until the lights were off - and then I heard him running on his wheel - so guessing he likes that.

Sunday - I didn't see him at all - apart from the top of his head in his nest lol - I put out a spinach leaf for him and it had gone by this morning.

He was awake and nibbling his wooden archway this morning before I left for work - so guessing he's becoming a little more confident.

I'm going to leave it a couple more days - maybe until the end of the week, before I start to try handling him - apart from giving him food, water and tissues with my scent on so he recognises me.

He's only been in my house a couple of days, but he's already captured my heart.

I had a whole list of both Male and Unisex names - but then my Dad suggested Horatio on Tuesday and I can't get the name out of my head - so Horatio it is lol.

Hoping next update to attach a photo - if I can remember my photobucket account password lol.

Mweekie xx

[souffle]

That's lovely news. He sounds a real cutey.
We don't leave youngsters too long before handling. Assuming he has been handled by the breeder we find it best to continue with it. Start with the lift and lay then move on to running between the hands. I'm sure he will soon come round

[Mweekie]

OK thanks again Souffle - I shall see if he wants to later on when I finish work - he does seem curious, but very cautious so I shall take things at his own pace.

He is a little cutey, bless him. I do love the name that my Dad came up with.

If I can, I'll take a pic of him tonight

Mweekie xx

[Mweekie]

Well as I mentioned in another thread - Horatio has had his name changed to Casper!

Since I got him a week Friday, I saw that he wasn't responding well to his name, but I had the name Casper in my head as well - and when I (accidentally) said Casper instead of Horatio when I was giving his dinner a few nights ago, he actually responded and came up to me - so after asking if it would be confusing to change his name and got lots of positive responses back - I changed it over to Casper.

He's definitely still a little shy, but he does now seem to understand that when he hears his door opening, he is going to get a) dinner and b) a little treat as well and he also knows that I won't disturb him if he is still asleep.

He's not fully coming onto my hands yet, but we are both taking it at Casper's pace - and hopefully this week, I should be able to get some more bonding time in - maybe try taking him to the bathroom and try a little play session in there.

I'll look at my photobucket account later and try and get some photos uploaded.

Mweekie xx

[Mweekie]

Hello and Happy New Year to everyone on HC.

Well this weekend is going to be interesting as I have just treated Casper to a Bucatstate Tank and quite a few new toys etc.

Casper's current tank broke last week, so I have temporarily set him up in a 45x45x60 tank until his Bucatstate home is set up and running for him. I know it's not ideal, but I wasn't expecting his larger tank to suddenly crack when I opened the door - so it was kind of a very quick, emergency transfer over to the smaller tank.

Casper himself, is still quite shy and is inclined to bolt back into his little den and wait until the lights are off - but he still comes up for his nightly treat and veggie.

I'm hoping that the new cage/tank will help Casper to become a little more adventurous and looking at lots of new toys and other enrichment for him as well.

The Bucatstate cage/tank (not quite sure what to really class it as lol) was a lot cheaper than the other one that I was planning on getting - with the Bucastate one being £157 and the other tank being over £300!

I've read a lot of great information about the Bucatstate cage/tank - but also wanted to know how to set it up into a great home for Casper as he is turning into a sweet little guy and I really want the best for him - not that I didn't before for him or any of my previous hamsters.

Anyway - I will update again once I've a) remembered how to update photos and b) have set up his new home later this week.

Mweekie xx