Just dug up the hamster!

[MrsMuddlePluck]

How do you know if your hamster really is dead?

My son came home from college to find her stiff & cold on the floor. We assumed the dog did it (yes I know were crazy, but too late for 20 20 hindsight). No marks on the hamster at all.

We buried her in a shallow grave by the clematis with a pink flower as a headstone. I couldn't help but think that she'd just gone into shock as they sometimes do.

We dug her up & she is now wrapped in a tea towel, in a box & in a warm place. Are we barmy to try?

[Roseformeplease]

Ours "died" 3 times before he was actually dead. DS knew he was finally dead because he had gone mouldy. We didn't get as far as burying him, but he was put in the shed overnight to await burial. (Now, after his recovery, known as the resurrection shed).

[ProfYaffle]

Yes, we had one hamster who was resurrected a few times. We ended up wrapping him in a towel and leaving him near the radiator. It was only when he got a bit stinky that we acknowledged his passing.

[idontlikealdi]

My mum want so kind - she threw mine in the bin before I got up as she didn't want me to be upset. A day later he was happily in the bin when she put the rubbish out!

[Ginmakesitallok]

Stiff And cold generally means dead.

[Penfold007]

I really don't blame you for trying but stiff and cold would suggest the process of rigour mortise had begun. Poor Hammy, sorry for your loss.

[MrsMuddlePluck]

I'm not holding out much hope, but I couldn't sleep knowing I hadn't given her a fair chance.

My DSs are 13, 17 and 19, so they aren't unduly upset like they would be if they were 6, although my DS13 [whose hamster it is] cried a lot.

They know what has probably happened and are fascinated to see if poor little thing is alive in the morning.

[Ginmakesitallok]

When we buried our last one I found solace in the fact that if she was still alive she could dig her way out.

[MrsMuddlePluck]

Sadly, little Pastel didn't revive overnight and is now buried under the clematis.

[Ginmakesitallok]

rip little pastel

[Mishaps]

Ours had a series of fits and hurled itself down the open plan stairs. It lay as dead for a while, then got up and scurried merrily around.

[MrsMuddlePluck]

They are quite incredible aren't they! I spoke to my Mum last night and it turns out my Charlie [a looooong time ago!] revived when my Dad took him on a shovel intending to put him on the bonfire!! Yikes! Glad they didn't tell me at the time!

[ProfYaffle]

Sorry to hear he didn't survive.

[froglou]

Still and cold is dead. Have had a few hamsters and mice go into paralysis which is what you're referring to, which is not cold and still more floppy and unresponsive.