Naomi has been asking, longing, for a hamster for a long time. We have tried to talk her into various alternatives – ducks? plush toys? robotics kits? - for a long time, but it just wouldn’t do. She turned eight yesterday and really wanted a hamster. She had done her research and knew exactly which species she would get: a Siberian winter-white hamster. (yes, that’s a real species.) So, off to the pet store we went.
We were surprised when they let the kids hold the hamsters:
We thought perhaps it was some kind of ploy: “you let it escape, you bought it.” We were having visions of chasing these beasts all over the store so that we didn’t have to pay for three of them. But they were about as placid as tribbles, and charming, too. Naomi was happy to get the one she was holding, a little female.
I sort of thought we’d end up with a cage like this:
But cages have come a long way – check this thing out (toddler not included):
It’s a complete hamster habitat with food bowl, hide away, den, water bottle, and a detachable carrier [saucer section] on top. Very cool.
The hamster was soon quite at home (eyeing the Linnaeus book, no doubt: Phodopus sungorus, in case you were wondering)
Naomi is very happy with her new pet, whom she has named Valentine:
Valentine is kind of a family middle name for my family – Naomi doesn’t know that, but it is still an appropriate choice for our new family hamster.
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