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Lyra
Apr 23, 2003, 10:00 AM
Okay I never really wanted to write a thread in this forum; I was hoping I would never have to!
You will probably guess where this is going by the next sentence, and you can skip reading what problem I have next, and just reply.

My sister and I both got our hamsters at the same time, hers was a honey colour and white hamster, called Otak and I got a grey hamster, and I called him Ipsen. Both really cute! My hamster was probably the runt of the litter, being the size he was. My hamster was definitely the one who got injured more; he was a real kamikaze hamster!
Anyway, Ipsen had a lump on his back; most likely just a small bone that stuck out slightly, but I kind of had a feeling it wasn’t a bone. A while back I was cleaning out Ipsens cage, when I opened his nest, and all the bedding was covered in blood. I was really scared, and showed my mother, who looked him over, and saw that the blood had come from his lower region. The next day I came home from school and my mother had taken Ipsen to the vet. The vet had seen him, and said that my hamster had diarrhoea, which is really dangerous for hamsters. He said it was most likely diarrhoea, but he had shown my mum lots of little lumps in Ipsen that shouldn’t be there. Maybe the lumps were Cancerous? I don’t think the vet knew. He asked if the other hamster was okay, which he was, and then asked if Ipsen still drinks and eats. Hamsters go of food and drink easily if they’re ill. Ipsen was still okay, and really lively, even though he was ill. The Vet gave him some injections, and a medicine for us to put in his water. He said Ipsen was badly dehydrated.
For the next few weeks we put the medicine in his water, and I played with him allot. Ipsen drank so much! But his diarrhoea was still bad. Once the medicine run out, my mum said that we’d see what happened next. For the next week I never really saw Ipsen, If I did, I didn’t want to disturb him, because all he would do was go to the toilet, go drink, shove food in to his cheeks and run back to his nest. Ipsen seemed well enough, as he was pretty lively. I thought he would be okay.
On Tuesday (yesterday) I was upstairs revising for chemistry S.A.T’s when my mum called up to me, saying I think you should come down stairs, she was going to the vets. My sister and I ran down the stairs so fast that I nearly fell over. Mum said she had just seen Ipsen. He was walking weirdly, and he couldn’t get up his ladder. Mum had helped him up, but he couldn’t drink even. Then she said she had noticed something sticking out of his lower region. She said it looked like his intestine or something. I cried then. My mum said we had to go to the vets in 15 minutes. She told me to get a box ready for him so we could transport him easily. My mum gave me a towel to hold him in, and opened his home. Ipsen was in there. Blood was around him. She took him out, and he walked so oddly, like he was drunk. My mum thought he was delirious with pain. Coming out of him was something all purple and red. I held him in the cloth, and put him and his hut in a small box. My mum came back down stairs, and told me had to be prepared. My sister said good bye to him.
We got to the vets, and 10 minutes later Ipsen was called in. I was really crying now. The vet took him out and looked at him. Ipsen had lost so much weigh, and was really dehydrated. The Vet said they can’t operate on small animals, and hamsters go off their food and drink even is the operation was successful. He said that the end of the bowel was dead, and told me I couldn’t do anything for him. My mum asked me if I wanted to leave the room. I didn’t. I stayed with Ipsen. The vet injected him, and Ipsen fell asleep. I was crying so hard. I told Ipsen every thing was going to be okay. And I know many people think its stupid to love small creatures like hamsters, lost of people think that theirs no point in talking to hamsters. My friends think I’m insane that I love my hamster. I told my hamster I loved him, yes you might think I’m stupid but my hamster was part of my family now. I have had him for 1 and a half years. Ipsen fell ‘asleep’ and we took him home. I cried for the rest of the day. We put Ipsen’s home back in his cage, and waited to bury him. We buried him last night in the garden. My mum used one of her really pretty boxed for us to put him in.

I really miss Ipsen. Already I just want to hug him. We cleaned out his cage today. Now the corner only has Otaks cage in. I feel so empty. I keep crying randomly. All I really want right now is Ipsen.
I know this might be stupid to some of you, but I wanted to put this here.
I really miss Ipsen, and I’m now not sure what to do with out him. I don’t want another hamster yet as it hurts too much. I keep thinking, Ispen must be so cold, so scared.
But he not there any more. I want to believe he’s gone somewhere like a heaven, but I’m afraid there is none. I’m afraid Ipsen is just dead.
I’m sorry to put all this here. But I really just wanted to tell somebody else, other then my family and not my friend because they will laugh.

I miss Ipsen so much.
:(

Freak
Apr 23, 2003, 11:42 AM
Lyra, I know how much it hurts to lose a pet. And no, it isn't silly to cry over a hamster. I myself lost a hamster, and buried him in my garden, so that isn't silly either.

You must remember that whatever pain he felt, must be gone now. It's horrible to lose a pet that way, but you couldn't do anything.

I'm afraid that still with all the pets I've lost, I can't offer any more advice.

Kuro
Apr 23, 2003, 11:57 AM
Some of you might remember this poem. I've posted it once before, but I think it might be worth it again. It gets me misty-eyed, but I've always found it very comforting...

I hope it helps you, too. :)

---

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

---

It's never silly or crazy to love an animal, no matter how small or exotic it is. I happen to love rodents, too. I've had hamsters, guinea pigs... and loosing them hurt as much as any other pet does. So please, don't feel like you're crazy for loving Ipsen like you did.

Maybe when you're ready, you can get another hamster. It's probably not the time right now... but it may help you, when you're ready.

Hehe, you know something? Ipsen was someone who gave you companionship and, in his own little way, love and friendship. Just like from FF9. Remember how his story went? You can always remember him with these words.

"Why did you come with me?"
"Only because I wanted to be with you..."

He'll always be with you. :)

Ozma Omega
Apr 23, 2003, 01:05 PM
Lyra, I`m really sorry you lost your hamster. :(
You`re not sounding stupid or silly at all, I know how you feel.
When I was younger, I lost my rabbit in a similar way, and I cried almost constantly for days.

What comforted me back then was, he`s gone to a better place now, with no more pain or suffering.
Just like in the poem Kuro posted. :)
Once you feel ready for it, it could perhaps be a good idea to get a new hamster.
I know it`s the last thing you want to think about right now, but it might help you get over Ipsen`s death.
But of course, that`s 100% your decision.

Your friends will really laugh at you?
If that`s true, then... some friends they are.
That`s probably none of my business, but I really think they should support you during this time instead of making fun of you!

Hang in there, Lyra!
As Kuro said, Ipsen will always be with you. :)

Reku
Apr 24, 2003, 01:49 AM
Alot of people say pets are good for company, but they fail to realize that pets also help cope with death. Unfortionatly some may see it as being disrespectful, I get that alot, but I think Ipsen is a good way for you to understand the idea of death. Just think about it this way, isn't it worth dieing if your able to live? Still though, I had a few pets pass away, it does really help a person to understand the world better when something bad occurs to them, so don't look at it all bad.

Amy
Apr 24, 2003, 09:38 PM
LLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA *gives you giant big super mega large ultra supra extra huge hugs* I'm so sorry about your hamster. I know how you feel, I had 3 hamsties.

When I was very little, I got my first hamster <6ish?> I had him for weeks, and loved him BUNCHESSSS. You see though.. my friend squeezed him to death. I was so sad and I missed him so much! But you know what? Ipsen is now in a better better place. He's not in pain anymore and I'm sure he's playing with all the little hamsties nicely, even mine! You will be sad for a while, but then it will be okay, I promise.

And, for your records my dear.. It's not stupid to love your pet no matter how big or small or fat or skinny or ugly or cute or any of that!!! I love my cat to bits, I have beyond 100 pictures <literally> of when he was a baby up until now, I have so many dumb stories of him, I absolutely adore him. <maybe it's cause he was my first cat ever? o_O> I know that I would probably be just as sad as you are right now too if something happened to him.

..And now I'm rambling about my cat and this is not about the cat. <TOLD YOU YOU CAN LOVE AMINALS!!>

If you need anything, you can email me or find me in IRC or talk to me on MSN. I hope you'll be okay, feel better soon!!

Cheetah
Apr 25, 2003, 12:57 AM
I, as an owner of many pets, know how you feel about losing a pet, Lyra. I'm truly sorry for what happened, and remember, you don't sound stupid at all for posting something like this. A lot of people believe, me included especially, that a pet is considered part of a person's family. Losing a pet is just like losing a family member in my eyes. If I were to lose another one of my cats, I would just simply go mad.

What you're feeling is natural. It cannot be helped. No one can simply witness a death and be happy and merry the next day. If someone does, I don't know if I'd be able to say that they are normal. Remember, you will always have memories of your pet hamster, and as long as you keep the memories alive, he will be alive too. I have already lost my turtle, which I loved to death, OMG, and two of my cats. So, don't worry. You'll be alright.

Remember, keep the memories alive and you'll be ok. :)

Aloha de Vivi
Apr 25, 2003, 02:10 AM
It ain't stupid at all....It's said.....I remember when my friend's hamster died, two of them....I still remember the grave in our apartment complex.....it has a little wooden cross...I do't know how it feels like to lose a pet because I never hd one that died...wait...yes I did....

ArrowCat
Apr 25, 2003, 06:43 PM
*shakes head* Lyra, that's not silly at all!! All pets are special, and it's just as sad when a hamster dies as when any bigger or longer-lived critter dies as well. If your friends think that you are insane to love a hamster, tell them that he was your pet and a part of your family.

I'm so sorry that it had to be so long and drawn out...I had a hamster with cancer once, and I know it's not fun to watch a pet going downhill. It must have been awful to watch that. :(

All I can say is that the fact you are so sad means that Ipsen really must have been a great hamster, a great one indeed. So try to think of it, as Kuro said, of him coming to a happier place now, and he'll never truly be gone if you still love and remember him.

I'm so sorry, Lyra, and I hope you feel better...*hugs* Remember that it is perfectly acceptable to love and mourn over your hamster, no matter what your friends seem to think.

Beatrix the Goddess
Apr 26, 2003, 02:01 PM
Lyra...I know how hard losing a pet is. Don't be ashamed of your grief, pets can be members of the family just as much as human people can. Trust me- this despairing feeling will fade with time, gradually it'll become bearable. And in my experience.. (4 cat deaths, 6 guinea-pig deaths)...getting another pet speeds up the grieving process. It does make you feel better- it gives you something new to concentrate on. A new little, fluffy, cuddly ball of life. It really helps, and it'll stop you dwelling so much on the fact that Ipsen isn't there. Although he is there really- kept alive in your memories. I fully believe he's in a better place now. Think how happy he'll be, & try to take some comfort from it.

Pm me anytime :)

Eowyn
Apr 26, 2003, 05:04 PM
You are in no way 'stupid' for loving. Ispen was your pet, and I know that if I lost any of my three pets, I'd be just as sad as you are.

This may sound like a cliche, but try and remember the good times, the funny times. For me, for instance, there was the time when my cat got up onto the kitchen cabinets and knocked the clock down almost onto my dad's head.

You can also look at it this way: all of Ispen's pain is gone. I'm sure he's gone to a little hamster heaven, just like in the poem that Kuro posted. He's up there thinking "Wow, my owner really loved me!" and feeling very special to have such a wonderful person as an owner.

I know it's hard to lose a loved one, but it'll be easier with time. Don't ever forget the good times you two had.

Lyra
Apr 28, 2003, 06:44 PM
I'd like to thanks you all for helping me...and giving great advice and suggestions.

I really mean THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!

I felt alot better after I had read all of you posts.
I went to the pet shop today and got another hamster.... I went in wantin to buy two dwarf hamsters... but came out with a brown and white female normal sized hamster :)

I got her because she was really energetic and cute :).
but also she had been in there for about 5-8 months..

people dont buy hamsters if there that old :(

I called her....*drumroll*

Cleyra!

:) yep

I know.... im addicted :P

ill still miss Ipsen alot.. but Cleyras really helping... even my dad likes her..and he is terrified of rodents :P

so I'd like to thank you all again... thanks so much.

im sure Ipsen would of appreciated all the attention :)

so thanks so much.