This was the day I was going to introduce you to the newest member of the Peterson household--Itchy. The hamster my older boys worked for nearly 3 months to earn. The one that we all picked out so gleefully at the Pet Co., and brought home, and followed all instructions for her care specifically--no holding her for two days, feeding her cabbage, changing her water daily.....
Apparently our environment was still too "stressful" for her though. She made it 8 days and died of hamster diarrhea. Died while I was out of town and the boys were with their dad. I got a frantic phone call from a tearful Ethan that "Itchy was dyyyyyiiiiiinnnnng". I tried to turn it into a lesson about how God must have felt when he was so far away from Jesus and couldn't comfort him in his time of need---and that, of course, is the truth---but I still wish I could have been there to hug them through it all.
There was also a lot of mumbled cursing of the Pet Co. done under my breath.
So, now Itchy is buried between the apple tree and the Rhubarb and her cage sits forlornly in the garage.....
However, I just learned that Pet Co. offers a **two week guarantee** on all its pets---so we're off to get a more hearty gerbil tomorrow.
Am I just asking for trouble by doing that or what?......
RIP Itchy Peterson. Sorry we stressed you.
29 comments:
I'm sorry. Death hurts.
Now I do wonder if you have to dig itchy up to take to Pet Co. w/ you for a replacement?
Oh Trish!--now that would totally scar my kids! No....I think a receipt will do :)
Itchy is in good company. Our hamsters Fred and George met an untimely demise when out 6 month, gigantic golden retriever puppy pretty much swallowed them whole. Oh the horror that Sunday morning! Needless to say we were late to church that day.
Hamsters are now banned from the Summers home. Good luck Itchy II
Oh no! Those poor guys...
We had gerbils, and they were pretty hearty. They survived even with a few close encounters with our massive golden retriever.
And Jennifer! Guess what....you need to visit my blog! I have news! :-) :-)
What a bummer! I've got a really sad gerbil story...but I won't tell you! Good luck!
Just stumbled on your blog. Lovely family!
Mariel
www.oneshetwoshe.com
Oh that is so sad! I remember when we bought Zane a goldfish for his 4th? birthday and you were a little worried about introducing the concept of death to your kids when the goldfish died. So sad that it happened to the hamster! At least you can get a better one and hopefully one with less issues!
No fun! I'm really sorry. If you get a boy and girl hampster they'll constantly replenish your supply. And, if you're interested, Jared swears by rats. They're not my forte, but, just thought I'd let you know......
I didn't know such thing existed as hamster diarrhea... Learned something new today :) Maybe it wasn't you guys, maybe it was just Itchy's time. ") Looking forward to your gerbil's name.
We're about to buy a mouse for Jaina's 7th birthday. I'll keep the guarantee in mind!
We tried returning a hamster a few months ago with just the receipt but they told us we had to have the body. I decided that was not worth the trauma and I decided t would be best to just fork out another 20 then do that to my kids (I think that is what Petco plans on).
Same thing happened to my little EMily Mouse hamster I got in college. It was traumatic for me a grown girl...ughhhh...your poor little boys. I tell ya what...get a guinea pig. This thing here is the heartiest little thing ever. She's survived the tramp, the slide, and most of all Kate.
We had a prairie dog that died of malnutrition. It was sad. She was a fun pet. But the pet store people neglected to tell us about her diet.
I'm sure Itchy is having a great time playing with Delf the Prairie Dog and Spike the Hedgehog(died of old age).
By the way Jen, you were in my dream last night. It was nice to see you! ;)
I forgot to tell you the worst part. When I took miss Emily Mouse's dead body back to replace her, they took the box and tossed it right in the garbage can with me standing right there. I knew she was dead, but yuck! At least wait til I'm out the door!
Oh, how sad... Love those 2 week guarantees!
Lisa Q
Poor Itchy! R.I.P. Now on to Itchy #2.
So sorry to hear about Itchy. And where have I been? I didn't know that Bea Arthur was dead either. This is a double blow.
Just realized your title could have been "Jack Bea Itchy." Sounds like the beginning of a little poem!
I am so sorry your kids lost their pet. It is a hard moment but still teachable!
We had a bunny casualty last week. So sad for the boys. But we bought a sturdier one to go with our other 4. What are we thinking?!!!
Any form of rodent is not my fave. Have fun with that :) !
I'm bad, but how did you get so lucky?! Our hamsters always lasted FOREVER. In fact, the first one we bought was pregnant and one was born with three legs so we had to keep him (the pet shop took the others back but they WERE cute and fun). I named him Handy. Everyone let me, and my reasoning was that he'd be handy to still have when his mom died and because--wait for it--he was handicapped. Aren't I so deep and subtle and clever?
RIP Itchy. We had a hamster that lived forever. Longer than my mom wanted, to be frank. I think she thought we'd have a little fluffy thing around for a year or so and then we'd get a nice lesson in death and that would be that. Nope, that thing lived for like five years. Lucky her.
Oh - poor Itchy! I hope your new hamster does better! You are a good mom to have those - they give me the heebie jeebies!
XOOX
jen
Trish's comment wins.
OK...
I'm sorry for your loss...you stressful Petersons.
But do I love that you turned Itchy's loss into a lesson about Jesus on the Cross? I do.
You are an amazing mother. 'Cause I'd be all freaking out and spazzing...totally incapable of making it a life lesson about the Lord. Seriously.
Trishes think alike. I was wondering the same exact wonderment...
I'm with Elena. Guinea pigs ROCK!! We've had a bit of everycritter live in this house, but guinea pigs are by FAR the easiest, most temperate, and sturdiest, next to the dog. Well... Harriet the Tarantula is pretty easy, let me tell ya... but I have a feeling you're looking for fuzzy and cuddly, not fuzzy and creepy?
So sad. Hopefully "Itchier" will be happier, healthier, and any other "ier" you can think of.
"Just keep it together itchier!" For heaven's sakes!
Do they make Pepto Bismol for hamsters? It could make the difference between life and death.
Also, are you sure it was diarrhea? Maybe he just had IBS and some of those little pills could have helped... just a thought ;)
Good luck with hamster part two!
Awww Sorry to hear that! Enjoyed reading your blog!
Kas
I remember getting a ginea pig when I was 5. It died within the week too. Who would have known they were so delicate? :) What a hard situation. Glad there is a gerbil remedy! :)
I had a Hampster once it lived for 4 years and was the meanest hampster that would bite me whenever i would hold it. finally my little brother killed it one day. he was jealous that it wasn't his hampster.
Good luck with your next little pet!!!
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