My sweet hamster Rustin died this afternoon. He was still breathing very slowly in the morning, and warm, but now he has moved on. He is the first friend who has died that I've been able to talk with, touch, and make comfortable in his final hours. Two days ago it was sunny, so I took him in a lunch box size cage on an outing. He had food and water and a warm hat over his cage while I was in an OLLI class, then he had a blast running on the grass, the paved parking area, and some rocks, exploring as he'd not had a chance to do since I got him the end of November. One last fling, and now he is at peace. I feel a mixture of gratitude and sadness, grateful he had an easy and quick death, and sad we'll have no more fun outings together in this lifetime.
He was sweet, curious, probably lonely sometimes, and a good sport to wait so long for a real outing. I am glad I followed my instinct on that one, for he loved exploring uncharted turf as much as I do! It is too soon to know if I shall get another pet anytime soon. For now, his gentle spirit is still with me, telling me he is thankful to have a few weeks as my friend, and even though he is now dead, we can still love one another in the stillness.
Adieu, sweet, innocent friend.....peace be with you wherever you are. Maybe there is great rolling grass with no predators in hamster heaven!
