Goodbye, Pebbles Junior

Having pets in the house means inevitable confrontation with death eventually, amidst the joys of witnessing the vibrancy of life blossom in these pets. Pebbles Junior, the stray hamster who miraculously appeared in our balcony one balmy February morning, passed on in the wee hours of yesterday morning. She went on to join 2 other hamsters of ours, Pebbles the First and Galaxy, in Hamster Heaven. 

We discovered it snuggled cosily in a corner of its home, still and lifeless, yet looking like it just slept...not knowing that this sleep will be its last. 

By now, Big Bee can handle the deaths of her pets relatively well, as we usually prepare her psychologically if we detect tell-tale signs that the end is nigh. For Pebbles Junior, it was moving lesser, getting more lethargic and sporting a growth in its right cheek 2 weeks ago. So she was calm when she learned that Pebbles Junior was no longer alive. Sometimes I wonder if she should stop having hamsters as pets as their lifespans are so short! 

Little Bee, idealistic as she is, accepted the news with wide-eyed wonder and a loud questioning exclaim, "Huh? Hamster DIE?" , probably still grappling with the notion of life and death. 

To Pebbles Junior, a little life that we saved and guarded over for the past 7 months. You were indeed a nice companion to us - quiet, a bit grouchy yet lived a life of dignity. 

Rise in peace.