Hamster on the Loose!
I woke up this morning to find this little guy, Cheddar, missing from his cage. Around six this morning, I heard him running on his wheel because it was knocking against the cage. Usually after he finishes exercising, he crawls back into his little home and makes his bed. I peeked in his cage and my worst fears were realized, he was gone. He does have a cover on his cage, but there is an opening at the top that was covered, perhaps not good enough. I guess he wanted his freedom.
Immediately, I called out to him like he was going to come crawling out from under the couch or respond to me the way a dog would and come running. No Cheddar. I checked under couches, radiators, beds, closets, everywhere!
This is my daughter’s pet and she won’t be home until today, so I’ll have to break the news to her. I’m sure she could handle him dying, but escaping? I don’t know what her reaction will be. Before I left this morning, I did leave some food in the middle of the floor hoping he will crawl into his pet carrier. I also left the lid off his cage thinking that he’ll just jump back in by the time I get home.
Strangely enough, this morning, I heard some noise outside of my window that I thought was a squirrel. Maybe Cheddar found his way behind a wall and was attacked by a mouse.
Lesson for kids who want their freedom too early: Not all restrictions are bad, some are for your protection. Although Cheddar chose not to listen and stay in his quarters, I’m still hoping for his safe return.
on December 24, 2007 at 1:20 pm
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I hope he turns up on his own. Although my 14 month old is still fascinated by dogs (we have one), she thought the pet store’s rodents were interesting.
on December 24, 2007 at 3:20 pm
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you might have to get him a female to intice him back….:):):)
on December 24, 2007 at 4:29 pm
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We lost a few of the little buggers that way when I was growing up.
Sometimes you find them running around the house a bit later. Other times you never find out what happened to them.
Hope you find him and all is well.
on December 24, 2007 at 6:27 pm
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“Cheddar”, that’s a cute name for one.
Here’s what has worked for me in the past. I put out unsalted peanuts in the shell and waited until I heard the inevitable crunching noise to lead me to the errant rodent.
I did have one that escaped that neither we, nor our cats, found for several weeks. Somehow he had made it into my office, about 30 feet down a hall from his cage, and behind my bookshelves. He had gnawed himself out a little hole in the carpet back there. He apparently found enough to eat and drink for about 6 weeks before I happened to find him running about one morning when I got up very early.
on December 24, 2007 at 7:34 pm
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I think I’m more upset than my daughter. When I first told her she was like ‘you’re kidding’ and skipped away. Then I guess when it sunk in, I asked her what she wanted to do. She said wait to see if he turns up, if not, we’ll just get another one.
Now I’m freaking seeing things. Every where I look I think I see him and I’m chasing shadows. She’s busy playing with her Littlest Pet Shop while I’m searching around the house like I lost my darn keys.
I will try the peanut thing and keep hope alive?
on December 26, 2007 at 7:15 am
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Good News! We found Cheddar! In my daughter’s room scratching in a box trying to get out. He is so on punishment, lol. He’ll be getting a new cover as well, if he gets out of that, then I won’t feel too sorry for him.
on December 26, 2007 at 9:52 am
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Glad to hear that Cheddar is fine, I was beginning to tear up, LOL
on December 26, 2007 at 8:39 pm
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I’m glad, too. Was beginning to worry and thought I would come back for an update. Thanks for letting us know he was OK, albeit punished.
on December 30, 2007 at 9:06 am
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I used to have a hamster exactly like yours! He died because I accidentally left it inside my car…during a hot day. Glad to hear that you got yours back!
on February 7, 2008 at 11:12 pm
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My daughters hamster Pinky just got under a gap that is under the bathroom sink, we can hear her and she is able to get out but how can I entice her to come out?
on February 7, 2008 at 11:28 pm
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i finnaly found my hamster pinky well my brother did and thanked him. ps im glad u found chedder
on February 8, 2008 at 6:16 am
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Hey Michele and Sophia
Glad you found Pinky. I remember how I felt when Cheddar was missing and now Cheddar is dead so I’m really upset about it. Hate to think about it….we have a new hamster Cheeks and she is mean as ever!!!! Bites and Fights! We miss Cheddar.
on February 24, 2008 at 11:41 pm
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Glad to hear you found Cheddar. I know how traumatic it is to lose a pet. I lost several along the way and I still feel sad when I think of them.
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