Comments on: PV: Screaming Hamster of Love

By: Gnorb

Gnorb — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:18:24 +0000

Another update: PV was put to sleep on January 4, 2007 at 9:10 AM. at the Broward Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital in Pompano. The cancer had grown into an extremely large, black lump on his chest. While still lively, it was obvious this wasn’t a very good situation for him.

It wasn’t an easy decision. But then, none of the important ones really are.

So ends the tale of PV, the Screaming Hamster of Love.

By: Gnorb

Gnorb — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:32:29 +0000

Update: PV has been diagnosed with cancer. He has a large lump near his throat and he’s lost a lot of weight. He’s still relatively lively, but he’s been losing fur due to the cancer. We got some medicine for him which will help get his fur back (the cancer is causing some immune system problems which cause some regular parasites on his skin — parasites just about every mammal has, but usually keeps under control — to multiply out of control. The medicine helps remove the parasites).

Anyway, we don’t know whether he’ll make it to 2 years old.

By: Gnorb

Gnorb — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:02:52 +0000

Crystal: Thanks for the advice. Actually, while you can do that with female hamsters (I’ve successfully had female hamsters together that didn’t kill each other), that’s not an option with male hamsters, who are EXTREMELY territorial.
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As for the ground squirrels — The Wife knocked some sense into me and convinced me not to do that.

By: crystal

crystal — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:38:02 +0000

what might have made more sense was to take another of his litter-mates along… and to address the nocturnal thing, it only takes about 2-3 days to train ur hamster to be “day”turnal, plus if u had 2 hamsters, they entertain each other at night and tend to rest more often at night even if u didnt want to train them against natural nocturnal-ness. but this imformation wouldnt do anything now, so sorry =P
if u are thinking of breeding those ground squirrels, know that much like sugar gliders, they will head for home, and go straight to ur hamsters cage, to “hunt” if u let them loose around ur house… just givin’ tips =!

By: Gnorb

Gnorb — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 02:34:21 +0000

Big butt? Here we are, the Wife and I, making jokes at what we thought were huge balls.
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As for female hamsters, I’m actually very familiar with their agressivenes. I’ve had hamsters — female — kill each other. Not for entertainment, or anything. I just made the mistake of putting them together in a cage. Never again.
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Thanks for the heads up all the same, stranger. Sounds like you’re a hamster fan yourself

By: Elcode

Elcode — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 01:34:47 +0000

Hamsters are awesome. Male Hammies got the big butts whereas the females don’t. Also, Female Hammies tend to be more jittery/aggressive than males. Just a heads up, stranger..

By: Gnorb

Gnorb — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:10:52 +0000

By the way. As it turns out, PV is a guy hamster. The pet store guy lied.

By: Gnorb

Gnorb — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 13:52:37 +0000

I agree with all of that, Nate, but it’s that whole “can’t stay in hotels” thing that brings up most of the problems. Also, we usually don’t get home ’till about 9pm. Can you imagine having your dog locked up all day ’till 9 at night? Now that’s cruel. Couldn’t do that do a dog. Hamsters really don’t care, since they’re good just running around in their hamster wheel and sleep most of the day anyway. 9pm is a good time for them to hang out with you.

That said, we’re seriously considering getting a couple of guinea pigs. So. Incredibly. Cute.

By the way, if you’re looking to make some extra $$$ (I may just do this myself), Animal Mania will buy Ground Squirrels for $50/ea if you breed them. From what I hear, ground squirrel are HIGHLY intelligent: they can be litter trained. It’s like having a fat, cute cat, but with out the cat attitude.

By: Nate

Nate — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 21:58:53 +0000

I respectfully disagree that dogs can be limiting. Dogs make very good road trip animals You just need to take a break every once in a while to pee behind a bush, and so does the dog =)
Airline travel is a bit of a pain, however most airlines allow small breeds to be carried with you in the cabin, provided they are in a airline approved carrier. They can also be “checked” with the luggage but, I think that’s kinda cruel.

The major problem comes is… if you stay with friends they may not like dogs and hotels don’t usually allow pets, LaQuinta and Homestead Inns are notable exceptions. Also eating out is a problem, however you can usually bring your dog to outdoor cafes, also drive-thrus are nice. Walgreens pharmacy, Char Hut, Starbucks, banks, and other drive thrus usually have I supply of dog treats handy. =)

And… if you get a dog you already have it’s first meal … the hamster Kidding. Only kidding.

Owning a dog you get the added benefits of a free pre-rinse dish washer and free security system built in with every model.

Chew on my thoughts.
Nate

By: Kari

Kari — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 06:02:50 +0000

*L*.. to her it is a Pet.. It is Bianca’s responsability.. she has to remember to feed it.. and she helps buy food with her allowance for it.. and toys for it.. and we draw photos of Steve.. and she kisses his bowl goodnight every night and helps mommy catch him with the net when it comes cleaning his house time. *L*.. so I guess a fish isn’t that bad of first pet for her. Although it wouldn’t be my first chocie.

*L*.. oh and Hamsters REALLY Love toliet paper rolls.. (I use to have one in middle school).

By: Gnorb

Gnorb — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 05:11:29 +0000

Thank you for that. It’s been a slow process getting her to trust us. At first, she wouldn’t let me touch her, and even now she gets really nervours when we take her out of her cage. We’re training her by giving her some type of snack every time she comes out with us — pop corn, carrots, etc. That way, she starts associating hands with food, which is good, and is just fine with me.

Can you really call a fish a pet, though? I mean, isn’t it just kinds of like a moving decoration? Seriously, though, betas are fun. Easy to take care of. Just try your hardest not to let your daughter kill Steve off.

By: Kari

Kari — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 17:41:42 +0000

I actually like the name Screaming Hamster of Love! *giggle*
And I a glad you guys could settle on a pet. WE too recently added a new member to our household. Bianca (our 2 year old) is a HUGE pet fan.. and since we are still living in an apt. (house searching).. we had to get something that our landlord (my dad) would approve of for the time being. After searching much like you guys did.. and allowing Bianca to look at all the animals.. we had to cut down on her top picks : A Snake, A Huge Hairy Spider, A Pot Belly Pig, or a Fish.. *L*.. to make a long story short.. we got a fish.. A easy to take care of one.. A BETA.. named “Steve” and no matter how much my daughter feeds him.. he is cheap.. and he hasn’t died yet.. and even came with a year gaurentee.. so if she does kill him off.. we can quickly replace him for free! *L*..

And your RIGHT.. kids are expensive..
Diapers add up.. that is why we chose to cloth diaper the new addition coming in April.. and also try to potty train Binks as soon as possible!!! (which is a struggle in itself!)

But.. I wouldn’t give up my kiddos for anything..

Good luck with your PV..*L*.. she is a cute hamster..