Sophie

As some of you may know by now, I have a pet hamster named Sophie. I got her for my son because we had tried to keep fish and ended up killing every single one of them. So, when he begged for another pet I, in my infinite wisdom, said sure. I let my son pick out the rodent of his choice. My first thought was that he made a fine choice. She was sweet, the pet store clerks assured us she was a very docile hamster who would be just great for handling. I was told by said clerks that she could very easily be trained to sit in our shirt pocket and "hang out" as well as be held quietly. This was good. This is what I wanted for my son and I in our pet hamster.

This, however, is NOT what we got. While Sophie does have a sweet nature and is very gentle (doesn't try to bite us at all) she is not quiet or stay still unless she is asleep in her cage. Which as many know is during the day as hamsters are nocturnal by nature. When she comes out to play she seems to think she is training for the upcoming Olympics. She is off and scurrying up our arms, leaping from our hands to the sofa if she thinks she can feasibly make the jump. She burrows into the couch cushions and under the pillows. We bought a little play pen for her hoping she would like to have another place to move about but turn your back for a second and she treats it like a hurdle and is racing for parts uncharted before you know what's happened.

Now hamsters need to chew and gnaw to keep their teeth healthy. So with this in mind I have bought quite the variety of chew toys for Sophie. She has her pick on any given day from 3-5 types of chews cause every woman deserves the right to variety right? Anyway, EVERY time I put toys in the cage, she takes them and hides them. Now mind you she won't put them in her "special place" until we are not looking. (like I really want to steal her apple stick or cheesy chew....). Anyway, with the treasures hidden away from view guess what Sophie would rather chew? The metal bars of the cage! Yeah, that's right. Do you have any idea how annoying that sounds in the middle of the night? Let me tell you: I get a little irritated. The first couple of nights I thought we might have prowlers in the house.

She even has a wheel, because the pet store clerk assured me that hamsters will run most of the night. Out in the wild they apparent run for miles. Not my Sophie. She uses her wheel like her personal throne from which she stares at me as if to shame me for keeping her locked away. She gives me a look as if to say: "Why don't you give me anything to chew? Look at my home. Do you see anything here? No toys, no food." (this immediately gets hidden as well)

I really don't even know what she eats because it seems like I throw out all the food when I clean the cage. However, I do know she DOES eat because she's getting quite pudgy if you ask me. She could use a night or two on the wheel.

So to sum up: I have an allergic hamster who apart from being gentle is NOT your typical hamster. Good grief. Happy pet owning everyone. Do you have a strange pet? If so, please share.

Update

She's still alive! If a little blurry.  I hope this is the continuing trend with Sophie.  My son is still enchanted by her, although does not like the feel of her tiny little claws on his bare skin.

We are fortunate enough to have a wonderful case manager working with us.  We explained that Sophie doesn't have a lot of room in her little cage.  She offered up one of her old cages for us to use.  I was so excited, it is more than double Sophie's cage.  It was delivered yesterday morning.  My son went to school, I cleaned the cage and then a quick trip to the Dr's again, yuck!

I promised my son he could help me set up the new cage when I got home from work. 1/2 an hour before bed time.  The plans were made, the cage was clean.  Sophie is moving up in the world to a deluxe apartment in the sky!  Things are looking good.

I come home from work, son gets out of bath, Sophie goes into exercise ball.  We set to work taking apart the old cage and setting up the new.

This is the new cage.  Can you guess what the problem was?

Sophie is transferred to her new home.  Oh what joy, what rapture.  She quickly ran around smelling everything and getting used to the cage.  Then it happened......  she squeezed out between the bars.  What a stinker!

Into the hamster ball she went, replaced everything in the old cage, with a few changes in placements.  Voila, Sophie in her old home again.  Well, we can always try again when I have the money to upgrade her.  Sorry I took the dream away Sophie, but at least you're still alive.  And isn't that all that really matters?

Sophie back in her old studio apartment.

She ran on her wheel for 2 hours after coming home.  I think she was depressed about not getting the new pad. (although most of that is probably due to the fact that she can't escape from her current home)

What have I done?????

So, I think you have all heard from a previous post that I bought my son a hamster.  What have I done? 
I know, doesn't sound that bad right?  Some people don't like rodents in their house, even cute cuddly ones like Sophie. It isn't that.  She is adjusting quite nicely into our home.  She is getting used to us.  She doesn't bite me anymore, as long as I talk quietly to her before trying to pick her up, and we have an agreement: I will leave her alone in the morning (NOT a morning hamster) and she won't be a bitch. (excuse my language there)

Why am I panicking then?  I'm afraid I will kill her.  Don't worry, I'm not planning to kill anyone or anything. (hopefully-soon-to-be-ex can rest better knowing that) The problem comes from my track record.  Every plant I have ever brought into this house has died.  My garden failed miserably.  Both times.  With lots of advise from successful gardeners........  Ok, so we're talking plants, why the panic?

Then I started killing fish.  Again, not on purpose.  It was so sad to see each one of them go.  Yes, we are unlucky with fish.  There was Stacy, Phineas, Ferb, Candice, (can you tell we like Phineas and Ferb in this house?) Perry, Doofenshmirtz, and the latest casualty is Squishy, yes, I love Nemo too.

Love this picture with the reflection on top

I have heard from many people that beta fish are so easy.  People have told me that you don't have to change their water and clean their tanks for a month or more at a time, and they can go up to 3 weeks without being fed.  Really?  These people have been very successful with caring for fish.  I thought they were cruel to go without feeding their fish for 3 weeks.  I thought I was being a more responsible fish owner by doing what was recommended for them.  I guess I was wrong.  Cause mine die.  I am responsible for killing 7 beautiful fish.  We still have Princess, we'll see how long she lasts.

Is it any wonder that with this newest death I am worried for the life and safety of Sophie?  I keep trying to get bigger living entities to take care of and they keep dying on me.  Guess it won't ever be in the cards to get a dog.  I solemnly swear to do everything in my power to make Sophie happy and keep her healthy.  However, I cannot guarantee that it will do any good.  If she doesn't live a full and long hamster life I also promise to never get another animal.  I don't think my psyche can handle more death at my hands.

I'm praying for you Sophie, I really am.

She's too cute to die.......

Live damn you, live!!! 

Intervention

I think my hamster Sophie needs an intervention.  Every night she gets in her hamster ball. ( we put her in, she doesn't open her cage, climb into the ball and put on the lid herself)  Once in:  The race is on!  She is a little speed demon.  This is not the problem though......  The problem is--I think she's a closet alcoholic.  When in her ball she runs into EVERYTHING!  Seriously, unless she gets lucky with a wide open space (and we don't have many of those) she is hitting something every few inches.  Yes, you heard me right, inches, not feet.
I guess it's good that it doesn't faze here, although if she is drunk, she wouldn't feel it anyway. I'm thinking of getting a few people together for an intervention.  If you know how one is supposed to be run let me know.  I've never been a part of one.  I'm open to any suggestions and help.  Wish me luck.  I hope she is ready to listen and acknowledge she needs help.