Goodbye, Pebbles

Big Bee's first pet hamster, Pebbles, passed on this morning - just 45 days after we bought Galaxy and Pebbles (the 2 female hamsters for Big Bee's 6th birthday).

We are still at a loss as to what happened to Pebbles. Just yesterday, we bought the second mobile ball house where the hamsters can stay inside and "roll" about as they scampered in the ball house. I remembered Hubby telling us that Pebbles kept shivering. So, I wondered if poor Pebbles died of fear? Their poor little hamsty hearts could be just too weak for the shock (or thrill) of rolling all around the house in a fast-moving, dynamic ball?

Poor Pebbles. I wish you rest in peace wherever you are.

Big Bee was the first to discover Pebbles' death. Her morning routine upon waking up usually comprises of lounging on the bed with us, then she will troop with me or by herself to the kitchen and check on the hamsters to snoop on what they are doing in their cage. This morning, I was lazy to walk with her to the kitchen, wishing to loiter longer on my warm bed, so she went alone. Minutes later, she walked back into the bedroom with a worried frown on her pretty little face, telling me "Mummy, Pebbles looked like she is dead. She is just lying facing up in the bathing container, not moving."

Skeptical, I told Big Bee that Pebbles could be in deep sleep since the mornings are usually their snooze time. I walked with her to the kitchen.

True enough, Pebbles looked strange and distant...lying on her back, face-up, with a slight grimace on her furry rodent face. Big Bee bravely extended her finger into the cage to shake Pebbles but there was no movement. Only stillness. Oh my god. I was horrified. So soon, this little life ends without fanfare.

Once we confirmed that Pebbles is truly dead, Big Bee expressed her feelings saying she was very angry and why Pebbles had to die so quickly. Hubby assured her that no matter how long Pebbles lived, the most important thing is that Pebbles had lived a happy life. Big Bee seemed consoled by this fact.

In the afternoon, I called her to ask how she was feeling. She said she felt sad instead of angry, which is a good and natural transition. I told her I was also feeling sad...letting her know it is very normal to express our emotions out loud.

Goodbye, Pebbles. You will always be remembered.