The worst has happened, the thing I have always dreaded.

[animalmagic]

First of all, let me just say that if people are going to yell at me, then I just want to let you know that right now I feel like the worst hamster owner in the entire universe, trust me, I couldn't feel worse!

I don't even know where to start. I was sleeping last night. At about 1.30am I heard a crash and woke up. I scrambled out of bed to find that somehow the cat had got into my bedroom (he is not allowed because of the critters). He had knocked Hamlet's cage off the top of Othello and Macbeth's tank, slid the lid off and was inside the tank. I screamed and he leapt out. He had Macbeth in his mouth.

My mum ran in and grabbed him and he dropped Macbeth, but it was too late and he died in my mum's hands. I am so upset right now you can't even imagine. I have had six hamsters and NEVER has the cat done this before. :sorry:

It was so awful. The thing that's hurting me the most is the shriek I heard him make when the cat got him. I constantly feel like I'm going to be sick. It's guilt.

I feel so horrible :( Having a cat and hamsters has never been a problem up until now. After Macbeth died I ran back into my room to check on Othello. I thought he had died of fright because he wasn't moving and his eyes were wide. He is fine though. He was just absolutely petrified. This morning he is better and is moving around. I need to check him over properly just in case though.

I have one question (I know it seems soon to be thinking about this) but the thing that worries me greatly is the fact that Othello and Macbeth did everything together and now he is going to be so lonely. Do you think it is worth getting him a friend? I'm just worried he wouldn't accept another ham.

He was my little beauty, a gorgeous colour and he had beautiful ruby eyes. I'm so angry at myself!!

Anyway, I have to go, I have an exam which I am dreading because I can't think about anything else but this. How am I going to do this exam? :bawling:

RIP Macbeth. I am so sorry :candle:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/abby_keelan1/macbetheyes.jpg

[HandcuffedAngel]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Love. :(

There was nothing you could do. It happened to me once before too, except I wasn't home to witness it.

I would find Othello a new friend. There may some hammy in the shelter in severe need of a playmate.

[animalmagic]

Thank you :sorry:

I would like to get him a friend. Just worried that if they didn't get along, I would have three dwarf hamsters in three separate cages- which upsets me as dwarves should have company.

Gah- I can't even think straight :(

[HandcuffedAngel]

Honestly, I think they will be okay. If it's a huge worry, maybe find a way to take Othello with you so he can sniff the potentials.

I think a friend will help him deal with his ordeal and his own loss. And it may even help you deal with your loss as well.

[JenHan disease]

So sorry for your loss! That sounds absolutly awful, but there was nothing you could have done to prevent this, so don't be hard on your self. Cats will be cats, and it is his instinct to catch his own prey. So try not to be too mad at him either.
I don't know much about hamsters, but if Othello loved having Macbeth around, I am sure he would appreciate having another little friend to hang around with.
Again, I'm sorry about your loss! And good luck with your exam! I know it would be tough, especially with other things on your mind :(

[Chaos]

Aww I'm so sorry. Like said you really couldn't have predicted it. When my rat killed one of my syrians (she escaped and went IN the rat cage), I felt horrible, since I figured it was my fault and I could have done something else to keep her safe. But, we can't see the future, there's only so much we can know. Don't be too hard on yourself or the cat, it was just natural for him too. :(

[dwankrista]

oh hun, please don't beat up on yourself. :( it's not your fault and you did everything in your power to make sure these boys had a wonderful home. i'm sure little macbeth knows it wasn't his mama's fault. sadly, this type of thing often comes with owning different species and it's simply a freak accident. i almost had one myself recently when my little cousins and aunt came by while i was in the shower and thought it would be nice to go visit the hams. unfortunately, they didn't think of clsing my door when they left and i have 4 indoor kitties. i was lucky enough that the cats were outside at the time. it could have been nasty.

personally, i would try getting othello a friend, but only if you have an extra cage in case they fight. it can be done, trust me. i've heard of the best results when introducing two babies to an existing adult. i know you have your two boys and i'm not sure if your parents would be keen on two more but you may have the best chance. however, if not i think with the amount of love and attention you give your little ones othello should be fine.

again, i'm so sorry hun and please don't blame yourself, even though it's diificult to not want to take some of the blame. your kitty was simply acting on his/her natural instinct. *hugs* i hope your heart heals quickly.

[Moosley]

Awwww hunny thats terrible :( it isn't your fault at all but what a dreadful thing to happen i know what you mean about the cry he made haunting you :( must be terribly hard for you right now ****hugs****

I'm not sure getting a new dwarf is a great idea unless you have a 3rd cage ready in case as chances are they wont get on... although how about making a divider in the cage and keeping the two you have next door to each other so they can see and smell each other but not get together...

I can't remember if one was a winter white or a hybrid, if it is a hybrid they may get on better.. (i mean with a divider, but a mesh one) if not then it is possible to get some kind of plastic or plexiglas etc.

If they did fight then i would just keep both of them alone, i know it's sad but introducing a new ham can upset things more... not all dwarves want to live together..

[GarfieldLover49]

I am so sorry

[pixibubbles]

awww mate.... we woudlnt shout at you.... you already feel terrible... i certainly wouldnt want to make you feel worse... try taken hammie to a shelter with you in a little carry cage and see if there is anyone he would like... that way you can get one his age... we've all had incidents with out pets... jsut some are lucky enough to surivie.... i nearly COOKED one of mine.... she escaped and we couldnt find her anywehere so set up bucket traps... then filled up the electric airer with clothes and turned it on... only to find she had crawled up inside and was asleep by the element! if it hadnt been for my bird going mad and trying to climb in after her.... took over an hour to dismantle the thing lol


i think maybe you hammie should go to a shelter and see if there is anyone he would like... that way you can get one his age... and make firends.... maybe your white could find a buddy too? you can't blame yourself... asomethings just arent meant to be... and as tempting as it is please dont blame kitty either :(
(((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))

[animalmagic]

Thank you everyone :shy: I don't blame the cat, that would be unfair.

I would love for both my boys to have a friend. The reason I bought 3 in the first place was so that if something like this happened, then there would still be two as company for each other.. but the remaining two dont get along (Campbells and WW) so that plain failed :(

I'm hesitant to get my WW a friend, as I think he was the one in the pet shop that was picking fights with all the other hamsters that got in his way. The lady mentioned that one of the WWs was "evil" (:rolleyes:) and I think I may have picked him lol. And then when I got him home, he didn't get along with my other two. I'm not sure, but some hams just don't want to cohabitate- and I worry he might be one of them!

But I'd love for Othello to have a buddy or two. Dwan, if I got two more would they not gang up on him as he's the only one? I want to do lots of thinking about whether getting them friends is a good idea.

Oh, and I do have spare cages if anything goes wrong, not that I'd like to have to need them :sorry:

Again, thank you to everyone for being so kind at a time like this!

[Shellie]

I am so sorry honey. Butter somehow got around the barrier one day and Dad saw him hopping beside Little Bit. It was apparent they had been together for some time. Of course he acts like he will eat him alive when he spies him through the barrier hole! Anyway, my point is that things do happen. I was very lucky but it could have been the same result. Good luck.

[dwankrista]

nah, if you got two babies there is usually a better chance of them getting along as they're usually too teeny to pick on the older boy and he won't pick on them as he's outnumbered. i've heard you have a better chance doing intros when introducing two little ones. it's the same for rats and mice as well. :)

[Sparky2006]

i am sooooooooo sorry....i almost can almost imagin your guilt and sadness.....but it certinally isnt your faul or the cats........im really sorry im about to cry! **hugs** poor hammies.....it must be sooo hard...im not sure what to say but im sorry.....i feel sorry for you and your hammies. :(

[Sparky2006]

p.s. id never shout at you! it cant be helped

[LMDH]

I agree with Dwan, try adding to baby boys to Othello. This does seem to work better. Just introduce them on neutral ground and see how they like each other. I would also try and do it soon so that Othello doesnt get used to being on his own. If you try and go to a breeder they may help you select a good pair or let you try Othello in with a few hamsters to see who he likes.

But if you are worried about introducing them, I am sure he will be ok on his own. I have only ever had one hamster that fretted when on his own, he wouldnt eat or anything if he didnt have a cagemate. But the rest have all been fine, they just get extra attention from me.

[TiaMaria]

It happened by accident, it's not your fault. You ham was lucky to have you for as long as it did. I'm sorry for your loss.

[animalmagic]

I think I am going to try Othello with two baby boys. If I can get my mum used to the idea. The small animal rescue I sometimes rescue from and have fostered from before have recently had 300 unexpected rescues, they are absolutely overloaded.

I think they've got a lot of Campbells and some WWs. I have heard that a lot of their Campbells apparently will not be tamed and need homes from people who are content to watch them rather than handle them- but obviously thats not what I need!

I can guarantee she's got some baby Campbells somewhere so I think I may go and check them out. Maybe even take Othello if she lets me.

Thank you for the advice, if anyone thinks of anything else I might need to know, then feel free to post

:goodvibes:

[TiaMaria]

It sounds like a good idea, myself I am connected with the SPCA. As soon as they recieve hammies, i foster them. I use to do that with kittens needing to be hand reared but I can no longer. In January I will be having a baby, so I need to limit my exposure to cat feces and cleaning the litter boxes. I'm 3 months pregnant on the 24th and get my ultrasound on the 23rd. I know that kind of got off topic, but im excited! :D ANYWAYS..good luck with adopting some more hammies!

[Moosley]

Just had to say congrats Tia and good luck :p and stay away from sheep an alpacas too ;) hehs... :( the mistake i made was working with alpacas.

[DaDezBombzzz]

aaaaaaawe, thats horrible.

I'm sry about ur hampster. I hope that you can find another one soon that will be just as great as he was! I don't own a hampster, yet my friend had something similar happen. I know this sounds very silly, but did you ever think of getting a padlock, or a combo lock, JUST in case? This usually can prevent the cat from entering into the cage. When my friend did this, the cat would never get in because it would become fustrated. I am really sry <3 I hope you feel better soon, stop blaming yourself girly

[Sparky2006]

goood luck tia!!!

[TiaMaria]

Thanks Moo and Sparky! :D