Greif over hamster death

[chinnieluv]

I love hamsters. I think they are adorable. I've only had a few but, each was loved. There was one I rescued who was a special needs hamster. She would sit and I would pet her and sing to her while she looked up at me. She would sit there for up to half an hour. She knew her name and would come out of her lil house when we called her. She died at 2 yrs old. That was a couple months ago. I am still sad and miss her. I had nightmares at first. Maybe some think it is stupid cause it is just a hamster and I am 25 yrs old for godsakes but- I loved that hamster.
Now, I can't even see other hamsters without thinking of her. I see their cute lil faces and would like another hamster but, they don't live very long and I don't know how I could handle losing hamster after hamster (although my special needs hamster was indeed *SPECIAL*). How do those of you who have had many hamsters (or other short lived pets like rats and mice) do it? Is there anyone else out there who feels like this? :crybucket

[SnowPrincess]

OMG NO! it's not stupid to cry over a pet....they are loved ones too!! belive me....i cried when my fish Fred died (about a month ago) and i'm still not over it and i'm 22. it's just that i loved that fish so much, he would always swim around all excited when i entered my room, i swear he knew it was me. :)

we never truly get over the loss of pets, we move on with our lives but we're never really over them, i know i'm not. my grandfather told me once "with great love there is great is suffering". ( i think someone else said that before but i dunno....and it sounds a little intense but it's true) i still greatly miss all of mine. it hurts, it really does. but find comfort in knowing she isnt suffering anymore and she's in a better place watching over you. i find comfort in knowing that.

and when the time is right, and if you feel up to it. adopt another hamster from a shelter and give that poor little guy just as good a life as you gave your little girl. giving an unloved animal a loving home and a second chance is the best kind of healing there is....for both of you. :)

:hugs: *hugs* i hope you feel better, it'll be ok.

[LilSnooPydOG]

It hurts...but my little critters bring so much joy to my life, I've just learned to accept the fact that they won't be here forever. "The amount of pain we feel when they leave is equal to the amount of love we had for them". It's the price we pay for loving them. When my hamsters died, the first couple days were really tough...I was still in shock that they were actually *gone*. The first couple weeks made my heart ache, and I would randomly start crying. After about a month, I would just accept the fact that they were gone, and move on. I never forget about them though...just today I started crying about my first hamster, who died 3 years ago. It is really tough going through it, but I love them so much, I could never deprive myself from that love.

No matter the animal, it is never foolish to cry over them. Some people may see them as "just a hamster", but they are no less than a dog or cat. I cried nonstop when my dear Snickers died...some may think I'm weird for doing so, but I don't find it any different than crying over a cat or dog. :)

"To have loved and said goodbye, is better than to have never loved at all"
Many {{{HUGS}}} to you.

[chinnieluv]

Thank you for your kind words. It helps to know others understand....helps put things in perspective.
I hope you know your posts were appreciated.

~chinnieluv~ :heartbeat

[SnowPrincess]

your welcome! we're all here for each other, in good times and bad!

[BroadwayPhan11]

This is what I say to myslef everytime I lose a pet, it works too!

"It is better to have loved and lost to have never loved at all."

[Zouave]

I know exactly how you feel. :(

Creating this really helped me. Check it out, and try it yourself. . .

Memorial Photo Gallery (http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=5199770&uid=924030&members=1)

[gaffer]

I know this is a little late but I've been away for a while and just wanted to add to this thread as it's moving...

I am 27 and cry like the rain every time. I tend to leave it several months at least between hamsters as, as you say, looking at others just reminds me too much and is too upsetting.

Then you just realise that you are ready again and can appreciate a new pet for the happiness they will bring into your life. They always have completely different personalities too. Like Lilsnoopydog said sometimes I cry too about hamsters who died years ago when I look at photos because you never forget them even when you get another.

Good luck and sorry about your loss.

[gaffer]

I know this is a little late but I've been away for a while and just wanted to add to this as it's a moving thread...

I am 27 and cry like the rain every time. I tend to leave it several months at least between hamsters as, as you say, looking at others just reminds me too much and is too upsetting.

Then you just realise that you are ready again and can appreciate a new pet for the happiness they will bring into your life. They always have completely different personalities too. Like Lilsnoopydog said sometimes I cry too about hamsters who died years ago when I look at photos because you never forget them even when you get another.

Good luck and sorry about your loss.