Ode to Popcorn. Rest in Peace, Little One.
Last night I had to put Popcorn, my beloved hamster, to sleep. He had an abdominal mass and the vet felt he couldn’t be saved. I cried and cried, but was embarrassed to cry over a hamster. But he wasn’t just a hamster. He was my friend. He had all kinds of funny habits. Here are some:
1. When he was ready to wake up and be held, he’d climb on top of his wooden house and assume his boxer stance. He’d stare out at the bars until someone noticed him. Then I’d scoop him up and he’d crawl into a special position in my cupped hand and that’s when I’d give him lots of kisses. And he’d close his eyes while I did so.
2. When I put him down on the table and scratched his back, he’d stand still to get maximum scratching. He loved having his back scratched.
3. If he was put on the kitchen counter, he’d run straight behind the bread basket, where he’d thrown himself onto his back and wriggle and flip his body all around, like a little otter. He liked it even better if you shook the basket while he did this.
4. If he was put on a different part of the kitchen counter, he’d run straight behind the TV, and if someone tickled him with the remote, he’d turn on his back, thrust his legs into the air, and delightedly wiggle around. Sometimes he’d just stand there and look for the remote, in case we forgot.
5. He loved yogurt chips, green beans, carrots, lettuce, mini croissants, pear, mealworms and just about anything else you offered. He often crammed his cheek pouches full of food and then he’d deposit it in different places in his cage, as hamsters do. Once he put the entirety of his bedding in his face, and I had to pull it out. He was mad at me.
6. He was very particular about having at least a few pieces of food in his wheel. He liked to run in his wheel with food pellets in there. If I took the food out to stop the incessant clicking sound, he’d get out, find a pellet, and put it back in. So there.
7. No matter the time of day or how tired he was, if he heard the crinkle of a bag, he’d stumble out of his little wooden house with his eyes half-shut, and beg for food, still asleep. Before his illness, he was quite a little fatty.
8. Sometimes he escaped and ran under the washer, where there’d be lots of clawing and scratching noises. Then he’d smell some pear, and come out.
9. He ran like the devil in his ball, but if he wanted to come out, he’d follow me around and then sit on my feet till I took him out.
10. He jumped off tables, countertops, beds, pillows — he was fearless and unbreakable. Until last night. I’ll miss him.
liz | 10:05 AM | cute fix
I’m very sorry about Popcorn, it sounds like he was a very cool little guy.
aww this is making me so sad
i hope you have other pets to comfort you at this time!
Liz, I am sorry to hear about Popcorn. He sounds like one terrific hamster.
sending you one giant cyber hug.
((((((Liz))))))
wow, he sounds like the best hamster ever. i’m so sorry for your loss.
Aww, Liz, sweetie, that’s so sad. I remember you introducing Tinsel to the Internets way back when. I’m so sorry.
Remember, Liz, that though Tinsel is now in hamster heaven, you will always have delightful memories of him. And do one can ever, ever take those away.
Dennis
Oops, I mean popcorn.
awe, popcorn.
Sorry for your loss.
This is sad. Poor little thing
I’m so sorry to hear about Popcorn. Sweet little fellow and what a dear, funny little companion he was for you. Sending E-hugs. Take care, Liz.
He sounds great. Take care.
hamsters are awesome. I’m glad you and popcorn had such a great time together. Sorry for your loss
Best… Cricetinae… Eulogy… Ever.
Dear Liz, here’s what you have to do. Spend this weekend reflecting on the goodness and wonder of Popcorn. Let the tears flow. Then next week, at your first opportunity, you need to hit the humane shelter or pet store and find another small little critter that would give anything to share its love with you. Good luck, Dave
Poor little Popcorn. It must’ve been good to know him. May he rest in peace, and Tinsel and the other hamster as well.
I am so sorry about Popcorn. And don’t be embarrassed about crying for him– I cried for my rats and my gerbil; they were good friends to me, as you’ve told us that Popcorn was for you. You have every right to cry, losing a small friend so dear. I send my sympathies.
So sorry to hear about Popcorn. One extraordinary hamster will be sorely missed.
I cried when I had to have my guinea pig put to sleep almost 20 years ago.The vet asked me if I wanted to spend a few more minutes with “Little”. I still think about it and enjoy all the pix I had of him.He was a long hair pig..looked like a bad toupee. Popcorn sounds as if he had a very big personality. Sad for your loss Liz. Dave is right..grieve and then go for another critter who needs you.
So sorry Liz. I adopted an orphaned deer mouse infant a few years ago, and I had a great relationship with him. I used to put my hand in his habitat and he would jump in my palm and nestle in and snuggle. He was a bit too flighty (and FAST!) to actually take out, but I would stand there and watch TV for 15 or 20 minutes with him in my hand. I had to put him to sleep finally (for small animals, always too soon) and I completely empathize. Small animals, big hearts.
I am so sorry! They all, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant to others, touch us and live in our hearts. Never be embarassed about crying for him, or any other furry creature. Like I’ve said a gatrillion times…my animals mean more to me than most people do. I mean who loves like they do???
I lost my very first rat, Maxine, last October. My mother just happened to call me that morning while I was boo-hooing, having just found Maxine passed on. She laughed when I told her what was wrong…little do some people know.
Ah, these wee fellows go much too quickly. Popcorn really does sound very special, quite adorable and exceedingly personable. I’m sorry for your loss. Keep him in your heart.
Sherry
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