An Ode to a Friend

I used to be joint owner of a gorgeous golden brown and white hammy and still miss her to this day, especially when I watch videos of her, as I found I did this evening. We lost her in on the 9th of May due to a terrible infection on her entire chest and tummy. We had been treating it for two weeks, but in the end it must have been her time, as it just did not heal :( She was only a year and 2 months old, so it was a shock to both of us. I know that many may think she was 'just a hamster', but she was my first adult pet and really did mean so much to me- I will never get another hamster to replace her.

I have been making a memory book for her, including many of the photos, as well as anecdotes and a copy of cards she 'sent' on special occassions and one sent by the vet upon her death. I wanted everything in one place, so it was there if I ever wanted to reminisce and I thought this week that I would make it my goal to finish it, as it is not so raw, but I also wanted to note down the memories before they may start to blur, as time makes them do.

I wrote a poem to go in her memory book- it is very childish really in style and not at all sophisticated, but these things don't need to be. I just wanted to capture the memories and her. I am relucatant to post it here, but at the same time it helps me achieve more catharsis than writing it alone did. Here is what I wrote:

"The wheel stopped spinning long ago,
As around the house you preferred to roam,
Finding crannies and cosy nooks,
Never being contained by our makeshift cage of books.

The hamster ball again was futile,
Although you humoured it for a while.
In the end you wanted to be free,
To scamper around, everywhere, with glee.

No place was unattainable to you,
From the top of bookcases to the fire's flue,
But one day you were on a fruitless trail,
And my how we laughed as we discovered your jail.

Trapped in a plant pot- so innocent,
Hours in there, you must have spent,
And so we discovered your zest for life,
Your adventurous spirit and brushing aside of strife.

You made 'spider-ham look a breeze,
Hanging from the ceiling bars with ease,
The smiles you provided us were endless,
Our gratefulness for you, we could never truly express.

Coming home to scurrying every night,
Always provided so much delight,
We couldn't wait to see what you would do next,
You always knew your own mind, didn't stick to the text.

You were so smart- even knew your name,
Each trip you had out was truly a game,
One minute you were hidden under the bed,
Next, gracing us with a nuzzle from your soft, tickly head.

We loved how you poked yout head out of the cage,
Then ran wild along the top, as if it were your stage,
In and out of tubes you liked to dart too,
You even made a food corner, and another for the loo!

Intelligent, beautiful and full of love,
We felt you were really meant for us,
Your warm body provided us love and comfort,
You became more tame than we ever could have thought.

Cookie, you were an amazing friend,
A true companion right to the end,
As your owners we felt so much pride,
We hope you always feel our love, wherever you now reside."

This is Cookie:

<3
Maybe one day there will be more about her here, but for now I want to leave it on happy pictures of her just being her :)