It's been almost eight days since my hamster boy Freedom left to the Rainbow Bridge on Monday, December 24, 2007. It feels like only yesterday that I held him up against me as his curious face tickled my cheek. It all feels unreal, that he's gone. I see his empty cage every day, but I still can't believe it...I don't want to believe it. More than anything I wish he were back here with me. Just for another year. I guess not all of our wishes can come true.

I talk to him every day in my head. I even talk to him out loud. It helps to talk to him, like everything is normal, and he's still here. If he were alive, he'd be curled up in a ball sleeping in his cage right about now.

I wake up every day thinking it was just a dream. Then I go into the laundry room to feed the cavy and the rabbit we're fostering, and his cage is empty. He'll never be in that cage again...yet isn't that a good thing? He always wanted to be free. He escaped out of his cage twice in an effort to be free. Now I know he can run all day in a land without walls, without barriers or bars to surround him.

I loved him, and I still do love him. I won't let him become just a memory. I'll make sure to keep his spirit alive in my heart forever.

Squeakcurly, my heart goes out to you, I see how much you miss your hamster and that your feelings are the same as the ones I have had for my soulmate cat and for his brother who left us over a year and several months ago.

Squeakcurly, you have a loving heart, it's become a place for your beloved to come and rest and feel loved at all times. Run free little one, while Squeakcurly keeps the home fires burning. Hugs.

Thank you Toonie...you're right, I do miss him.

Hi squeakCurly, I had 3 hampsters in my life and it still amazes me how attached I became to those little creatures. I'm so sorry and I know how you are feeling. It will get better, I promise, and you will never forget them. The last of mine left this world about 25 years ago and I still remember everything about them.

Take care
John B

Thanks John, yes they are wonderful animals. Freedom was my first hamster, but not the last. When the pain has lessened, I'll be adopting another hamster for sure. Never will there be another Freedom though....

I am so sorry to hear about your baby...Christmas Eve, no less

I really like what you put in your signature about the souls never leaving.

We all talk to our babies often. It helps to post here also. You might want to share some memories, some stories about your babies.

Seeing an empty cage would be difficult and a heartbreaking reminder. Maybe you have a special cover (towel, small blanket, etc) that you could put over it and then when you look at it, you may feel he is all curled up inside...like you talked about. The thought might make you smile for a bit..as you would if he were there.

There is such a special love we can share with an animal that is like no other. I am glad to hear you will in the future open your heart and home to that love again.

You never "replace" a special friend...you only create new memories with a new friend that is theirs alone...just like your special one was his alone. What you had with him will never be duplicated....you just can't duplicate something special. But you can love and be loved by another who needs a home and the love that comes with it.

Take Care and if you think of some stories about him, we'd love to hear them. Or, if you just want to tell him you miss him.....when it is read by others...it is read by those who are or have been in your shoes and feel for their special ones exactly as you put into your words.

Hi Squeakcurly-I am so sorry for the loss of Freedom. It is so hard, I know. Welcome to these forums and feel free to share. I wish you many healing thoughts through your grief. We are all going through it so please know that we understand.

I am so sorry for your loss, I know how you feel, my husband and I just lost a cat and are going through very difficult time also. I just hope that time will help ease your sorrow.
Senka

Freedom sounds like a wonderful hamster. I am sorry for your loss. We had a number of hamsters over the years but had to stop as we would get so attached and their lifespan is so short. That is one reason we switched to cats. We just couldn't bear to say goodbye to the little furkids.

Take care,
Ken Albin

Oh what a cute hamster! I had 7 hamsters throughout my childhood, and they were so much fun, I loved them so much. Finally my mom didnt let me get anymore. We shed too many tears over them. Just know you are not alone. Ive been through this 7 times.
So sorry for your loss.

SqueakCurly,

Freedom is in paradise but we're stuck here on Earth having to miss them. It sucks! I lost my kitty Bonny on Christmas Eve. The holidays ended for me Christmas Eve. I could not find one bit of holiday spirit after that. You're not alone. We are here with the same sadness in our hearts. The pain is getting a little easier, but it's is still there and I still cry every day at least once, usually several. I've also been caretaking my parents since my father had emergency surgery. I just got home tonight and I cried as soon as I came in the house. I feel her everywhere. I went through old pictures and found some great pictures of her. I'm going to do some kind of memorial, just haven't figured out what to do.

I had hamsters and I love them. They are wonderful animals. Please take care and keep in touch.

Bonny's Mom