The Replacement
After six days of hiding, foraging for food beneath the fridge and making scurrying and nibbling noises throughout the night, we caught Keri!
I had fruitlessly endeavored to trap her in the days prior. I created a ramp leading up to a deep mixing bowl. I rubbed the ramp with celery and carrots and then placed them inside the bowl hoping to find her in the morning. All I found was one missing piece each of celery and carrot and no hamster. I knew regular hamsters could jump fairly high but these dwarf hamsters are something else.
The show down came in our walk in closet yesterday morning at approximately 6 a.m. As I nursed Angel Girl I heard Keri scuttling around in there. I waited till Angel girl was fast asleep
and quietly went into the kitchen where I grabbed a shoe box that contained bedding and some food pellets. I also grabbed the lid into which I had poked multiple holes.
As I entered the room I heard her scuttling stop and knew she was aware of a human presence. This I hoped would be a good thing, driving her into a dark hiding place in our closet. Once I went inside and closed the closet door, there would be no escape for Keri.
I snapped some celery in half and held my palm out. She peeked cautiously around the corner of the duffle bag she was hiding behind and then darted toward the closet door which I’m sure she could have flattened herself under had I not stuffed a blanket there, blocking her path. Her capture was quick, Keri fighting the whole way but I got her into the box and slammed the lid on. Then I taped it shut for good measure.
I would have loved to keep her but she is just so tiny and fast and feisty, the kids would never be able to hold her if she was determined to escape. So we took her back to the pet store where I’m sure she’ll find a better matched owner to love her.
And this? This is Callie:
You didn’t think I’d disappoint my kids by taking their Hamster back and not getting them a new one did you?
We already love this adorable Calico Hamster.
We love the way she uses the window in her tiny house as entrance and exit while blocking the door with bedding.
We think it’s hilarious how she uses the top of the cage as monkey bars
We love how silly she is running on top of her wheel instead of inside it
And how she nibbles on the bars at times.
She is friendly and cute and best of all, her head can’t fit through the bars, which means neither can the rest of her.
EDWARD YOUR A HAMSOME GUY ALL IM ASKING IS FOR BELLA TO HAVE THE BABY AND PUT...
She is soo cute! A much better fit for your family. I better stop looking at the pictures though, or else I’ll give in to my “must have a pet” whims right now.
I tagged you for a meme. I thought I would like to get to know you a little bit better. Come on over and check it out and we’ll get to know each other.
I loved this sweet story. Adorable. We have a few hamsters too and I was so disappointed when I got this website forwarded from a friend. You have go to check it out and pass it along to everyone you know who is an animal lover.
http://www.savetheknish.org
I heartily congratulate you on your triumph! Too bad for Keri (she didn’t know how good she had it), but hooray for you and your kids and Calico!
She’s cute! I’m sure your kids were happy for a replacement that won’t be able to get away!
How cute! I have not yet given in to my kids requests for a guinea pig. I am always afraid of escapees!
I hope the replacement works out better for you all. I can’t believe the adventure you went through with Keri. I’m sorry I didnt see your award sooner. Thank you for honoring me.
Well that was a veritable hamster odyssey! Glad you finally caught the elusive little Keri :D
I’d never heard of a calico hamster before - she’s pretty cute!
I’m so glad you caught Keri! And I love the new hamster. But I’m still sad that Keri had to go. She was so cute!
Callie? I think you should have called this one Rudolph.
You’re much braver than I am! She’s cute.
We had a hamster for awhile before we had kids! It was a lot of fun… aren’t they usually nocturnal? Is it up at all hours of the night?
Yeah, she’s up all night, but she’s not noisy enough to bother anyone. She has a few day time waking periods too and that’s when we play with her.
How funny is this? Love the pictures!
You are such a good momma! My kids aren’t old enough to even fuss with animals yet. We do plan on getting a kitten once (IF~or so it feels) the house gets finished. My three year old will LOVE it and I like cats so I’m ok taking care of it for now.
You’re a good woman, Summer! I don’t know that I would have gotten a hamster in the first place. And a replacement–well, after your story of “cat and mouse,” I’m pretty sure I would have just let my kids cry. ;)
Oh Summer! She’s just precious! Emma’s looking over my shoulder and she wants one now. She had an imaginary mouse until yesterday. He wasn’t being nice and so she flushed him down the toilet. Rather disturbing, that.