My hamster died- I can't believe it!

[animalmagic]

He'd showed no signs of illness, no weight loss, he was eating fine, he was active. I got home this morning from my Dad's house and I found Neville in the corner of his cage, stiff and lifeless :(

The only thing I can think of is that he fell. As I mentioned on another thread, he constantly tried to escape since I moved him into the new tank. He'd climb on top of his wheel to try to get to the top of the cage, and fall down. I'm thinking he fell down, but this time wasn't so lucky :bawling:

Feeling really down today now. I loved that little guy. It wasn't even his time, he was only 9 months old. My other hamsters have always lived long, healthy lives so this is surprising and upsetting.

So shocked- RIP Neville.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/abby_keelan1/IMG_4935.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/abby_keelan1/IMG_4902.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/abby_keelan1/IMG_5854.jpg

:(

[dwankrista]

oh hun, i'm so sorry. :( i know how much nevile means to you and what you mean to him. i hope your heart heals quickly. our little critters have such delicate little systems the most sudden thing can take them from us. remember that you gave him the best life he could have ever dreamed of during his short time with you. *hug*

[animalmagic]

Thanks dwan :) It really was just so sudden. :(
I'm blaming myself even though I don't know what caused it. I hope he knows how much I love him!

:sorry:

[llzlljoellzll]

Sorry for your loss will you be getting another hamster or are you too upset at the moement. Sorry :(

[animalmagic]

I don't think I will get another Syrian. For a while I've been planning to get mice or dwarves, and now that I have a free tank (:sorry:) it seems like the right thing to do.

Of course, it won't be yet as I'm really upset and shocked at losing my little guy :(

Thank you for your kind words.

[PetLuver21257]

OMG! I am So sorry! THAT'S TERRIBLE! :( :cry:

Don't blame yourself, I don't think that a fall from the wheel would have killed him, you know... It probably was something else that you didn't know about. I am so sorry! You gave him a wonderful life, even though he tried to escape, you gave him a 20 gallon cage (:)), he was healthy and happy until he died. He died peacefully, I am really sure that falling off a wheel would kill him... Since he was in the corner, he probably died in his sleep. Again, terribly sorry! :sorry:

[Chaos]

I'm sorry for your loss, he was adorable. :(

Don't blame yourself though hun, it happens. One of my dwarves died a few days ago, I'm still trying to figure out what happened as well.

[animalmagic]

Thanks you guys. Yeah, you're right Petluver, it could have been anything- and I'll probably never know.

I keep going upstairs and forgetting he's not there. It's awful! It doesn't seem real, probably because I wasn't expecting it. Feels like I dreamed it.

We buried him in the garden this morning- he looked so peaceful. R.I.P, little guy :shy:

[MouseyMari]

oh Abby:( I'm so sorry:hug: Neville was such a sweetie and we know he was loved:( and you rescued him right? I'm sure he loved you:hug:

[animalmagic]

Thanks Mari. Yeah, I got him from a small animal rescue last summer. Sigh.. I just hope he knows how missed he'll be!

[Zouave]

It stinks, and I have been there time after time. Just read my Memorial Photo Gallery (http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=5199770&uid=924030&members=1)

See Princess in there. I was devasted. But the next day I found a ham who looked like her younger brother, Prince. Sadly, he is also in that gallery. They are all buried safe and deep. :(

So sorry.

P.S. More ofteh than not it is sudden and you never know why. Those kind of deaths are more common than lingering maladies.


'

[animalmagic]

I'm sorry for your losses too, Zouave. I've visited your gallery before, it's really touching! :)

Hopefully he didn't suffer much.