My hamster died today. A beautiful Russian, tiny, champagne-coloured, with a streak straight down her back like a a badger. Sweet whiskers like transparent catgut, and eyes like tiny blackberries.
I held her in my hand, the only time I've managed to do so since I got her, and felt her cold, hard body against my fingers. It made me think of every pet I've ever owned - the three dogs, the twelve Guinea Pigs, my two mice, Loki and Roo - Roo was sold to me too young, but because of that I could leave him on my shoulder and clean out his cage - he was completely and utterly hand-tame, loved company and being stroked, and used to climb all over my hands and arms, his miniscule claws pinching my skin softly. He was the only brown and white mouse in the litter, and the smallest, but he was possibly the most hand tame pet I ever had. We had two chinchillas...Salt died of a tooth disorder and his brother Pepper died a week later from heartache (they live together all their lives, and if one dies, the other follows after). We've also had countless hamsters, including my first one, Rosie.
Guinea pigs get my vote for ideal first pet. They're not prone to many medical conditions, they're easy to clean (except if they're long haired, where they need a bath and a brush every week), they NEVER bite unless provoked, and if handled well, they love handling. They need their claws (and sometimes, their teeth) clipping too, but that's not a problem if you learn early.
We buried the hamster in a Tampax box (it was all we had) sellotaped up to stop Millie digging her up (she managed to dig up Leo, my last hamster - it was pretty gross) and had to dig the hole with a soup spoon because we couldn't find a shovel. She had a good life, died at four years of age, and I'm glad at least she died in her sleep.
Either way, I've got to find a home for a cage now. Any takers?
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