My little buddy died on Friday. He was always optimistic, if not occasionally more than a little moody. He was always there when I needed someone to talk to. He kept me company when I was home alone each day for nine months desperate and depressed over the lack of employment. On Friday morning, I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with him for a few minutes before trotting off to work, not aware of what would happen while I was away.

My little chinese dwarf hamster Biscuit died on Friday. He was about two-and-a-half years old. And I cried like a child over his loss. I’m truly bummed about it. Still kinda choked up just thinking about it. Dani thinks I’m too attached to what is ultimately just a pet, but that’s the problem — he was OUR pet. We purchased him together. It’s true that we didn’t clean his cage as often as we should have, but I always made sure he was well-fed and watered. And I was always worried about the little guy, especially when we went on vacation.

I should have played with him more when he was younger, but, when I was unemployed and during the course of the last couple of months, I had him out of his cage a lot. On Thursday night I noticed that he was moving a lot slower than normal, and that made me kind of sad. He lived a good, long life for a hamster and I knew that night that the end was around the corner. I just hoped it would come a bit later.

We haven’t replaced him. I probably won’t. I may purchase a new hamster somewhere down the line, but definitely not for a while. I miss my little Biscuit buddy. He’s pretty irreplaceable in my eyes.

So, this one’s to you, my buddy. People say you were just a hamster, but, to me, you were a pal.

Biscuit
06/2000 - 11/22/2002