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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be crying because of a hamster

34 replies

sparklyfairypie · 13/03/2008 10:10

Ive had my hamster for 2 years now, hes lived in 3 houses with me. When I first got him he would bite and be scared of people but after 6 months and a LOT of patience he is now so tame, he would just sit and crawl on me for ages, hes so nosey lol And hes just a lovely pet.

Last month he developed a black mark on his head but he was totally fine in himself, however this last week its got much bigger and red arounf the edges. He is still being himself but Im convinced that a lump of that size must be causing him distress or will soon.

So this evening he is going to the vets and Im guessing he will be put down. Im so upset, but then Im thinking its only a hamster and I should get a grip!!!

dont want to tell people in real life how upset I am over a hamster.

OP posts:

meemar · 13/03/2008 10:14

YANBU, it's a creature that you love and something sad is happening to it.

I would imagine though that you will probably get over the loss quite quickly and without too much heartache once the initial shock is over

nickytwotimes · 13/03/2008 10:15

Aaaww. It's always sad when a pet dies, even if it's just a tiny wee thing. Hope he's ok.

kingprawntikka · 13/03/2008 10:17

I don't think you are being silly at all. any pet should be part of the family and of course you will be worried. we had a hamster that developed a raised black patch, the vet said it was a skin condition and it lived a good while afterwards. hope the vet has good news for you.

herny · 13/03/2008 10:18

no urnbu its still your pet & you love him,when our hamster died me & my son cried nothing wrong with that,good luck at the vets i know its very sad but you dont want him to be in pain do you at least the vet can advice you for the best

VictorianSqualor · 13/03/2008 10:20

I cried over my lizard, we bought two and one died, it was only about 6 weeks after we got her.

barbarianoftheuniverse · 13/03/2008 10:51

If you are, then so am I. Was in floods when our very old hamster had to be put down, and the same with ancient rabbit. Couldn't drive home for ages, sat in the car park mopping! Good luck tonight.

edam · 13/03/2008 10:52

aw, poor little Hammy. Perfectly reasonable to feel for a living being that you care about.

NaughtyNigel · 13/03/2008 10:54

not silly at all. think it would be more unreasonable to shrug and say 'it's only a hamster'. i've wept over every animal i've lost. good luck for later.

Lomond · 13/03/2008 10:55

YANBU at all! A pet is a pet. I have a wee hamster and would be devastated if he died. Hope he is ok x

PrimulaVeris · 13/03/2008 10:57

You're not silly at all. We've had 2 of the gorgeous furry things and wept buckets at their departure. I was easily as bad as the dc's

Afterwards dc's and I mad up a little scrap book with photos, dc's drawings and peoems and other memories. And they have small framed photos of them in their rooms. I don't care if "it's only a hamster" (sniff)

Good luck with the vet - fingers crossed he will be OK

claricebeansmum · 13/03/2008 11:01

for you.

They're lovely little mites aren't they?

If it is not causing him any distress then it might be OK.

You are very brave and your hamster is lucky to have you as his pet.

Will be thinking of you tonight.

DH had to take our very old hamster for its one way visit to the vets because DC and I were crying so much.

JulesJules · 13/03/2008 11:02

Of course YANBU, this is a living creature you share your life with! Actually I'm quite upset on your behalf! Hope little guy is OK. [fingers crossed]

Chequers · 13/03/2008 11:03

Message withdrawn

LolaTheShowgirl · 13/03/2008 11:13

Oh this is so sad YANBU for certain. The little hammy sounds like he has been a real part of the family. I've said that when my dog dies (he's very old and almost certainly on his last legs) I will grieve more than I have done for my nan or best friend which makes me but he has been my little baby for all of my life and he has been my very best friend. I do hope hamster is ok.

bigbumhole · 13/03/2008 11:16

for you. It's ok to be upset about it. I hope it'll be ok. I had a pet mouse and he died when i was pregnant with DC1. I cried solid for about a week and even had to take a day off work. How lame it that DH has never let me live it down

Original poster

sparklyfairypie · 13/03/2008 12:36

I remember holding him crying when I had my last MC Im either going to giggle or cry buckets tonight. (I have a nervous laugh - very inappropriate) Thanks you for the lovely replies, I dont feel so silly now.

OP posts:

kingprawntikka · 14/03/2008 08:07

good morning sparklyfairypie, how did you get on at the vets?

TheAntiFlounce · 14/03/2008 08:10

hey I was wracked with sobs when my budgie died. I cried for days, and I still cry about my old cat that has been dead for 4 months. They are family, and I love them, just like you love your pet. It's ok to cry over the ones you love/

duchesse · 14/03/2008 08:12

I have a friend who is hamster-mad, so can see where you're coming from. He may "only" be a hamster, but it is your pet.

However, at 2 he is as old as Methusalah in hamster terms. Maybe his time has come.

wilbur · 14/03/2008 08:20

A pet is a pet, no matter what - so sorry you're feeling sad. I cried about ds1's pet duck that he had at my in-laws - she got eaten by foxes a few weeks ago, and even though she didn't live with us, ds1 had named her as a duckling and she'd been around for a few years and we were v fond of her.

Original poster

sparklyfairypie · 14/03/2008 10:32

Morning thanks for asking. Arrived 5 mins early and ended up bursting in to tears in waiting room so they put me in a private room to wait. (normally i would be embarassed but i was so upset that I wasnt) And they offered me a cuppa tea - how lovely.

Then the vet came through he was a male vet and ive never seen him before but OMG he was so nice, I cant praise him highly enough. He had a look at hamster and said that he thought I was doing the right thing, and he said he was a lovely hamster and that I had obviously looked after him and treated him so well for him to be so tame.

He asked if I wanted to be with him and I said yes. He explained he would use gas to put him to sleep, then inject him, so he wouldnt feel any pain. I signed the consent form and held him while he passed away.

He asked if I wanted to take him home but I dont have a garden and wouldnt want to put him in the bin! So he said to me he promised me he would treat him with respect. So I assume they cremate the animals.

Im going to give the vets a card cos I honestly couldnt have asked for a "nicer" experience, they made it as easy as it ever could be.

OP posts:

ClairePO · 14/03/2008 10:36

I'm so sorry

wannaBe · 14/03/2008 10:37

aw
did the vet say what was wrong?

I have always cried buckets when any of my pets died as a child. None have as yet as an adult (well except the occasional fish but..) but when they do I will be inconsolable.

kingprawntikka · 14/03/2008 10:40

Oh poor you, its horrible isn't it. i'm glad you found such a kind compassionate vet to help you through. I think people who don't cry over their pets are far more worrying than those who do and i'm sure the vet would have found it totally normal.

BearMama · 14/03/2008 10:44

Aw. Having a wee cry for you. The little sweetheart is at peace now, bless him. X

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