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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on December 27, 2007, at 0:28:19
I will get one soon! I will be very busy with school (I'll take 2 classes) and 22 hours/week working. I probably won't come online very often. I want to make sure I spend my free time taming my hamster and just watching him.
Posted by Dinah on December 27, 2007, at 13:43:11
In reply to I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on December 27, 2007, at 0:28:19
That's wonderful!!! It's so lonely when our pets are gone.
Might I suggest trying to find a breeder to get your hamster from? I haven't had very good luck with pet store small animals. Maybe it's just me. But the ones we've gotten from breeders (canaries and gerbils I think) lived for a long time in comparison.
Posted by MidnightBlue on December 27, 2007, at 14:02:43
In reply to I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on December 27, 2007, at 0:28:19
Deneb,
I think it is so good you are going to get another hamster! Could you call him/her Butter tart II or butterball? I think those are such cute names. Or maybe if white (are hamsters all white sometimes?) maybe snowball.
You sound good and I am so proud of you! I think right now a combination of work and school is the best for you. And keep taking your meds and going to your pdoc. You are making great improvements!
MB
Posted by Deneb on December 28, 2007, at 0:09:42
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster » Deneb, posted by Dinah on December 27, 2007, at 13:43:11
I'm looked for a breeder here and I can't find one. There aren't even any hamsters at the animal shelter. I know buying from pet stores isn't the best, but I'll probably have to do that.
I made my hamster a plastic bin cage. I thought the previous cage was too small. I cut a hole in the lid and put wire mesh over it and secured it with screws. I'm giving my hamster the best rated wheel, a Wodent Wheel. It's 8 inches in diameter. The store bought ones are closer to 6 inches, which I think is a little small and not as comfortable for Syrian hamsters. I couldn't find the Wodent Wheel in stores so I had to order it online and shipping costs an arm and a leg at $12, but it's worth it. The wheel itself is $10.
I bought the largest bag of CareFresh Ultra bedding for my hamster. I went with Ultra because it is white and much softer and has less dust than regular CareFresh. I'm going to give my hamster the best of everything.
I bought a highly rated food for my hamster and I'm might buy bottled water for my hamster, depending on if bottled water is healthier or not.
I'm going to find a vet that specializes in hamsters. Hopefully I'll find one.
Posted by Deneb on December 31, 2007, at 15:03:45
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on December 28, 2007, at 0:09:42
I got another hamster! I have to name him. He's a long haired male Syrian hamster. So far we've just been called him "the hamster". LOL
He's living in a large plastic storage bin, with a rectangle cut out of the lid and with wire mesh bolted on. His Wodent wheel hasn't arrived yet so I'm using his ball with the stand as his wheel right now. He also has a plastic igloo thingie as his sleeping area.
I just found out that some commerical hamster mixes may not be the healthiest. I'm going to make my own homemade hamster mix. I'll do that another day because today I'm going to a New Year's Eve Party. This time I'm not going to drink as much and I'm not going to get sick.
Help me name my hamster.
Posted by Kath on January 1, 2008, at 10:26:46
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster » Deneb, posted by MidnightBlue on December 27, 2007, at 14:02:43
> You sound good and I am so proud of you! I think right now a combination of work and school is the best for you. And keep taking your meds and going to your pdoc. You are making great improvements!
>
> MBI hope you're proud of yourself & can see your amazing progress!
You sound like such a responsible pet owner.
MB's names sounded good. What colour is he?
Here's a few that come to my mind (maybe some are corney or silly?)
Cuddles
Silky
Peanut
I like Snowball (you got him in the winter, even if he's not all white)
Sir Hammy
Glad you got one Deneb & glad to hear you doing so well.
luv, Kath
Posted by Dinah on January 1, 2008, at 10:33:25
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on December 31, 2007, at 15:03:45
Congratulations on your new addition!
He's a lucky hamster to come to such a loving home.
Names... Hmmm.... This will sound very strange. But I like best the names that seem to pick themselves. Sometimes I just look at them and a name pops into my mind. Sometimes I have to clear my mind and calmly focus.
On the other hand, sometimes I just pick a name I like or one that comes from the movies. :)
What does the little fellow seem to want to be called?
Posted by Poet on January 1, 2008, at 13:50:09
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on December 31, 2007, at 15:03:45
Hi Deneb,
Have you ever read any of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels? Stephanie has a hamster named Rex, so that's the first name that came to mind. So in the name Deneb's hamster contest I submit Rex.
Poet
Posted by Kath on January 1, 2008, at 14:43:42
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster » Deneb, posted by Poet on January 1, 2008, at 13:50:09
My friend loves the "One for the Money" etc books...is that them?
Isn't there a policeman in them named Rex also?
Maybe it's something else.
Kath
Posted by Deneb on January 1, 2008, at 19:10:21
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster » Poet, posted by Kath on January 1, 2008, at 14:43:42
I like Peanut and Rex. He's kind of light coloured, light brownish grey and creamy beige.
How about T-Rex? LOL That'll be funny.
Peanut sounds cute.
T-Rex, grrrrr
Peanut, awwww
Come here T-Rex!
Come here Peanut!
Hmmmm....Peanut has a nicer ring to it.
Just Rex? Awww...you're so cute Rex.
Awww...you're so cute Peanut.
I think I like Peanut.
What do you think?
Posted by Deneb on January 1, 2008, at 19:23:04
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on January 1, 2008, at 19:10:21
I asked my Mom about Peanut and then she offered Green Bean or Bean Bean. In Cantonese it sounds cute.
It sounds like Dull Dull with some kind of inflection, can't explain. Maybe D-ow D-ow, or Dow Dow. I dunno.
Green Bean would be funny. He doesn't look like a green bean at all. I like this food theme though. Food or scary animal name maybe. LOL
Posted by Kath on January 1, 2008, at 19:26:05
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on January 1, 2008, at 19:23:04
Peanut, D-ow D-ow or T-Rex sound cute!
He must be a cutie.
luv, Kath
Posted by Poet on January 2, 2008, at 9:12:15
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster » Poet, posted by Kath on January 1, 2008, at 14:43:42
Hi Kath,
"One for the Money" is the first Stephanie Plum novel. The cop's name is Joe, so some other detective type novel must have a cop named Rex.
Poet
Posted by Poet on January 2, 2008, at 9:16:45
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on January 1, 2008, at 19:23:04
Hi Deneb,
I kind of like Green Bean. One of my cats is named Mandu and I rhyme it with food: Mandu vindaloo, Mandu stew, Mandu barbeque. She's so cute I want to eat her (my husband thinks that is sick, maybe it's a girl thing LOL)
Poet
Posted by Dinah on January 2, 2008, at 22:49:42
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster, posted by Deneb on January 1, 2008, at 19:23:04
I like Peanut. :)
But your mom's choice sounds cute too. And maybe it would help her feel attached to the hamster?
Which makes me sound nicer than I am. I figure naming is one of the perks of paying the pet bills, and I'm often not as sharing as perhaps I should be.
Posted by Deneb on January 3, 2008, at 1:02:14
In reply to Re: I'm going to get another hamster » Deneb, posted by Dinah on January 2, 2008, at 22:49:42
I don't know what happened! I think I picked a sick hamster. When we got him the sales associate noticed he was thin and wasn't very active, but then assured me he was healthy, that it was just his personality and he was just the runt of the litter.
When we got him home, he seemed OK. He ran in his wheel and ate and pooped and peed.
:-(
Tonight I found him curled in a ball in the corner of the bin. I thought he was sleeping so I left him be for a while. Then I checked on him and saw he was still sleeping so I poked him a bit to make sure he was OK. He moved a little, but didn't wake up. Then I got worried. I then thought he was too cold and was hibernating. Our house gets a little cool in the winter. I filled a Zicloc bag with warm water and put him on it. I gently rubbed him. I tried to put a drop of water into his mouth. I'd read about hamster hiberation and I was doing all the things I was supposed to, warm him up and rehydrate. He wouldn't drink.
After a while he started gasping. I learned that mammals esp. young ones will gasp before they die. After the gasping for a few minutes, he stopped moving altogether. I knew he was dead then.
Why do I have such bad luck with hamsters! His Wodent Wheel hasn't even arrived yet.
This really sucks.
Posted by Poet on January 3, 2008, at 9:37:10
In reply to My hamster died!, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2008, at 1:02:14
It does really suck and again I am so sorry. I think you are right that he was sickly. Poor little guy.
((((((((((((((Deneb)))))))))))))))))))))))
Poet
Posted by Kath on January 3, 2008, at 11:38:15
In reply to My hamster died!, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2008, at 1:02:14
This SURE does suck! Hunny sounds like you did exactly what was best. I'm so sorry that the one you chose happened to be sick.
Let us know how you're doing.
luv, Kath
Posted by Dinah on January 3, 2008, at 11:48:27
In reply to My hamster died!, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2008, at 1:02:14
Have you googled hamster breeders on the internet and looked for one somewhat close?
Or maybe check with your local preschools or kindergartens on where they get their classroom pets? My mother always seemed to know of someone who chose sexes incorrectly and ended up with baby gerbils, rabbits, etc.
Socialization is so important. And stress, even good stress, can bring illnesses to a critical point. And if there's any animal that understands stress, it's a school hamster.
Do you have any smaller pet stores in your area? They sometimes get their pets from local hobby breeders rather than more commercial sources. Can you ask your pet store where they get their hamsters?
I'm sorry about the little guy. You did what you were supposed to do. He just wasn't well.
Posted by seldomseen on January 3, 2008, at 12:10:04
In reply to My hamster died!, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2008, at 1:02:14
I'm so sorry Deneb.
Take care of yourself.
Posted by TexasChic on January 3, 2008, at 19:30:58
In reply to My hamster died!, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2008, at 1:02:14
I'm so sorry Deneb. But it sounds like you gave a sick hamster a loving last few days. He would have died anyway, but at the store without your loving attention. I think you were meant for him, to give him comfort at the end.
-T
Posted by Deneb on January 7, 2008, at 1:05:12
In reply to Re: My hamster died!, posted by TexasChic on January 3, 2008, at 19:30:58
Thanks everyone
I will get another hamster. I just replied to an ad on Kijiji. Someone doesn't want their hamster anymore. I hope I get a reply. If possible I would like to adopt a hamster.
Posted by Kath on January 7, 2008, at 20:35:41
In reply to Re: My hamster died!, posted by Deneb on January 7, 2008, at 1:05:12
I think that'd be a lovely thing to give an animal a home who needs a new home!
Good luck Deneb,
luv, Kath
Posted by llurpsienoodle on January 8, 2008, at 5:49:05
In reply to Re: My hamster died!, posted by Deneb on January 7, 2008, at 1:05:12
((((deneb))))
this must be heartbreaking... :(
I'm glad you've decided to adopt. Pet store hamsters don't seem to be healthy. I hope things work out. Will you let us know when the hamster arrives?
-Ll
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