Losing a small pet

[Emsi00]

Hi guys,

I had to have my hamster put to sleep last night after a awful month as she couldn't breathe and was slowly turning blue (lung infection) she kept passing out and slept on my chest for half hour, I had her for 3 years and brought her after losing a baby sounds silly but I didn't have much money at the time! but I tamed her and she was the most loving little baby ever that me and my boyfriend put so much time into giving her the best life and attention she was just so much more than a hamster!

Now I had to put her to sleep I cannot let go I'm so devastated and I don't know how to tell myself she's happy and resting! I know it sounds so silly but I'm really heart broken 😔any advice on feeling better

[EddieVeddersfoxymop]

Poor thing, it is awful to lose a pet, no matter how small. I've been there, several times. The only advice I'd give is remember the happy times (We did memory books with photos and funny/interesting stories about your pet) and let time heal you.

[Emsi00]

The vet upset me before hand which I cannot get out my head as she grabbed my hamster and the hamster screeched and bit her which made the vet drop her but she was so weak and fell to the table and it just really was not nice to see I know it probably didn't hurt my hamster but just is hard to get all these images out my head 😩

[Emsi00]

Thank you, it's so heart breaking! At the moment I just can't get the thought out my head of how poorly she was and the vet dropping her and saying she needs to go 😩 I wish I didn't have to see that and remember the nice things @EddieVeddersfoxymop

[EddieVeddersfoxymop]

Your hamster won't have been hurt in a small fall, they're very resilient little things! Promise. One of mine jumped off the back of the sofa to the floor and was perfectly fine, while we all recoiled in horror.
You've done the right thing letting her go if she was that poorly, better a day too early than too late. She sounds like she's had a wonderful life with you, which is so much more than some hammies get when the novelty wears off.

[Emsi00]

Thank you so much, it relieves me she's not in pain it was so heart breaking when she just lay there and was so blue and pale just upset me so much, she lived for so long and really tried to give her best life like she was allowed to walk free and explore, cuddled so much! Really sad to see her go 😔 it's true, it's sad when people just let a pet sit there and not bother with them after a week, animals really break my heart I feel sorry for anything that looks slightly lonely 😂 @EddieVeddersfoxymop

[EddieVeddersfoxymop]

Maybe in time you'll have room in your heart for another lonely hammie!! After losing my cat a few years ago I though I'd never get over her loss and have another cat, but after a year or so it began to feel right. I think she'd have wanted us to give a home to some poor scrap in need, just like we did with her.

[AnnieOH1]

I know exactly how you feel. I was devastated when our first rescue hamster passed, and I'll be utterly heart broken when one of our current ones goes as well. We've had them cremated and I keep threatening to have their ashes turned into glass.

It doesn't matter the size of the creature, or how long it lived for or anything else. Once you've connected with an animal it'd almost spiritual. I firmly believe they'll be waiting for us one day though every single little furred, feathered, scaled whatever that we've loved in this life I'm sure will be with us in the next.

Pets at Home have adoption centres where hamsters are usually about £7 or suggested donation depending on the store... Preloved and Facebook often have animals and cages available too for free or negligible cost... There's sure to be a lot in January/February looking for a loving home as well.

[MarthaArthur]

Oh op shes in a better place. I was heartbroken when my hamster died. Although small they have big hearts and are very intelligent no wonder we fall in love with them. Sending you hugs.

[Emsi00]

Thank you all, I would love to rescue one I had my heart broken with my little boy hamster in October who didn't last long at all he was a rescue so tbh I'm not too sure if he was old but Millie my oldest was such a shock never thought the day would come I do hope we all meet again @MarthaArthur I'm sorry for all your losses too, it's really not a nice thing 💔 @EddieVeddersfoxymop @AnnieOH1

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

No matter how small they are you develop a relationship with them and you DO feel it when they go.

I had one of my guinea-pigs euthanised in October , it is a really hard decision, not because I felt it was wrong , but because I had to make the decision. It is easier when they slip away.

I had one of my pigs euthanised in Jan 2017 then this one in Oct 2018. Huge part of the experience was the vets were excellent , every care was taken , it was peaceful, and I was able to spend the last few minutes with them.

What is not so nice is the a**es who say "What , you spent £50 having a Guinea-Pig put down, they only cost you £10" (all mine are Rescues)

So because I spent a few pounds on them means I should ignore the health or what ? Throw them in the bin ?

We take them into our lives and in doing so accept that one day they'll leave us. The bit in between we make as good as possible and if we are able to , give them the best ending they can have. I prefer them to go peacefully being cuddled or in the cage with their cage mates. But if it needs to be , at the Vets as calmly as possible .

[Emsi00]

I couldn't agree more! I paid for my hamster to be cremated and I didn't even bother how much it was and she was taken to the vets in a brand new cage which I bought a hour before and she said do you want the cage back and I just said no I don't care about the money I just want my hamster to be okay? And the vet was just so confused on why I was such a mess but it's heart breaking!

I'm so sorry for you loses, it such a hard thing to do! X

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

[JessyB3]

I feel for you, I know that feeling of loosing a pet. It doesn't truly matter what species of animal you have as a pet, they become entwined with our lives and bring us so much joy. It is devestating when we loose a pet but just try to think of the happiness they bought to your life :)

Keep your chin up, I will always remember my first rabbit Dorah she has a special place in my heart and I'm sure your hamster will have one in yours too. :(

[AndromedaPerseus]

3 years is a very good age for a hamster to live to and you obviously adored each other. Ive always believe pets, however small, are part of the family and when they pass you go through the same grieving process. Allow yourself the time and space to do this and to remember the good times.

[Emsi00]

Thank you, they really good find a place in your heart, all my pets I've lost broke my heart but I swear I still hear that cage pinging in the night still and the wheel going 😂 xx @JessyB3

Thank you, it was as if she was holding on until I was ready to say good bye as she kept trying to breathe and collapsing on my chest until she held on for so long I took her to the vets, I guess her wings were ready but it's probably just as hard for them to let go, I guess we all meet again eventually ☺️ thank you for taking time it really does make me feel better ready comments 🙏🏼 @AndromedaPerseus

[Shinesweetfreedom]

My first pet was my hamster hammy bounce Jones.Absolutely broke my heart when he passed.I was 33.
Take it easy x

[Emsi00]

I'm sorry for your loss, it's crazy how much you bond with them x @Shinesweetfreedom