I just discovered Dr. Frizzle in a cold, dead circle in the corner of his palatial estate. Poor little guy. Who knows what happened--he'd gotten loose again two days ago, and appeared on our counter a day later--he seemed okay, but I guess he either ate something or fell too far and injured himself. I've seen a lot of pets die, but it's always sad in its little way. Plus, dead rodent isn't so pleasant.
For a moment, I had the sitcom idea of replacing him without telling Hedgehog (let's be completely honest here; one hamster is pretty much like another, except for the ones who bite), and then realized that yes, I'll have to tell her. It's not that she hasn't been around death--unfortunately, she's already experienced the death of my dad--but somehow this I know will hit home. I'm absolutely dreading tomorrow morning...
Well, so be it.
"The world was not made for one as beautiful as he," eulogized Sarge. Okay, maybe that's overstating it, but I liked the little guy.
post script: I told Hedgehog this morning; there was a flood of quiet tears, and then we buried him in the backyard by the stone lion. It really was very sad.
But we're already planning for our next hamster...Sgt. Pepper seemed none too pleased...
25 comments:
I was coming here to tell you to get to the Wild Onion with your chocolate shoes on, stat! (If you still want to you can.) But then I read this and felt sad. He was a cutie pie. I wish the vet could have seen him and saved his life. Something obviously went terribly wrong.
I think I told you that when I went to NY I fell in love with my niece's hamster and bought him a beautiful home and all the right "stuff." I returned home only to learn a short while later he'd died. It didn't make sense.
How to tell Hedgehog? I don't envy you. That's why you're a mommy and I'm not. Too hard. Good luck and have lots of Kleenex.
Love you dear and I truly am sorry.
XO
I had taken a special liking to Dr. Frizzle. I recall his previous great escapes and his possible interaction with the mice. He was a celebrity among our circle, making frequent cameo appearances on your blog.
May I suggest a funeral with honors? However, Sgt. P. should not be allowed to give the eulogy. Although his words are precious, I envision him cracking a smile in the process.
Oh yes a funeral is a must . When Halibut the enormously fat goldfish flapped his tail for the last time , we had a little burial at sea (Launched down the toilet actually but, well its the thought that counts) followed by a wake.
It was great :-)
What a shame about Dr Frizzle - he seemed such an energetic chap. Good luck on telling Hedgehog!
Enjoying reading your blog - especially the pics of the New Mexico beach!
Peter
Sorry to hear he's gone. I woke up two days before my wedding to discover my poor hamster had somehow gotten his leg caught in his wheel and died that way. Good luck telling Hedgehog.
Oh no, I'm so sad. Dr. Frizzle was a really special hamster, he was the first one I really knew. I hope wherever he is now, there are lots of yogurt nuts.
Well, taps is playing for Dr. Frizzle. I hope Hedgie doesn't take it too badly. I know it will be hard to break it too her. Good luck.
hmmm.... glad you didnt just replace him... good on you and yer funeral, it all works out in the end... cheers to you.
Wonderful, wonderful advice from everyone. They're right you know. We've buried every animal we've ever known with love and ceremony. We also did two more things. We bought a garden ornament to place on or next to the burial site AND bought a perennial, strub or tree to mark the site. When it blooms, leafs out or just pops up, Hedgehog (and you) will say every single year, "There's Mr. Frizzle." It matters. Plants matter because they have the ability to mark an event, preserve a memory and fill you with love. Trust me.
Honey, thank you for just stopping by my blog to say "hi." That was too sweet. I found a blog you will love the other day. Actually, found two. I'll give you the names when I have a bit more time. Knitters! Knitters are the best!
Also, it's Kylie's birthday. Yes, technically it tomorrow in the US, but in Aussie Land it's today. Leave a message on her blog, or on mine, or at the Cafe. I just posted a birthday message to her and a bouquet of roses, so you might want to take a peek. And her blog is a hoot today! And the Cafe is insane as always. All the girls are posting photos of their damn Dessert Carnival entries, which is technically illegal. I can't control um', I can only hope to contain um'. Did you submit your dessert? I still have mine and have to photograph it. I know, Cielo's going to kill me. Life is wacky here. I'm trying my best. God, why can't we just all have an assistant?
Love you dear. Hope the conversation with Hedgehog went well. Hope you're doing well too. I know how hard it is to lose someone you love.
XO
I have four cats, I don't have time for a hamster or anything else that I have to be responsible for other than the cats, myself, and the aloe vera plants.
By the way, I read back to your very first postings, and saw that you didn't allow comments at first.
Didn't really give a crap what others thought. LOL
What we need is a collective agreement on this planet about some major things, not other opinions. Those that don't agree with me about some things are wrong, it's that simple.
You are young and I worry about your future because it is my future also after this body dies.
And I worry about your profession being as there has been so much brainwashing inserted into it. I mean really, why protect the really guilty?
I could so not defend a clearly guilty person. But many attorneys will, anything to make a buck and defend the way of doing things in this stupid system. Sigh.
No funeral for me I hope, I hope to go into the spiritual park and return to nature where nothing is wasted.
As a street minister I've officiated at a funeral, it was just a bunch of words that were forgotten in a few weeks.
Toss me on a fire and drink and do happy naked pagan dancing around me.
Had to erase! After all, it's a family establishment! But I'll treasure it in memory.
Oh dear, Dr. Frizzle. I am with Sarge in the not being enthralled with the next one...but the digs need a resident nonetheless.
If you have time, visit Skeeter. He has a great post. Hope you're having a good Thursday.
XO
A good Thursday? What, did I miss a day? I thought today was Wednesday? Suze, did you hit your head again?
Leah,
I realize you never visit my blog to see what we all sent Kylie. Take a peek when you have some time.
XO
That was supposed to be "visited." Ugh.
77 children? I can barely deal with one.
I raised two of them, but I was the king of my home. Wouldn't want to raise kids in this age, they are all attorneys.
How do you get a nine year old attorney in line? Tell it that if it doesn't like it in your kingdom to go get a job and build its own kingdom.
You're the queen/king and the judge in your kingdom and he/she is going to lose a lot of cases there so he/she had better get used to it and accept it.
Rule your kingdom with a firm hand or you won't have control of it. You make the rules, others have to live by them.
Are expected to live by them. No one lives in my space unless they are willing to live under my rule. It's a fair rule but I won't let them use me or bust my bank.
Yeah, damn it! I'm the Queen! I have to remember that.
Thank you all for the sweet Dr. Frizzle comments. I know it's peculiar, after all he was a rodent, but I felt terrible about it. The comments cheered me up quite a bit.
i'm a bit late, leah, kept visiting and not really knowing what to say everyone else covers it so well. anyway thanks for the birthday wishes you left me somewhere, theres so much, it's getting confusing......
i hope hedgie is recovering nicely from losing dr frizzle (great name)
cheers
k
Dear Leah,
I am so sorry to hear about dr. Frizzle...
We had birds, rabbits, chickens, ducks, cows, goats...you name it...in our house...all of them are part of our family....every single farewell was hard...
I don't know what to say...here is a big ((hug)) sweetie...
♥
bindi
I absolutely adore what Bindi said "Every farwell was hard..." Hummmmmm. That's a woman who understands life and animals. That's why I love her so.
Hedgehog and I had coffee over at the Cafe. You might want to take a peek. She's an exceptional child and she loves her Aunt Suzie! I expect many more adventures with that cutie pie!
Thanks for the London Broil info. It helped SO much, but I'd already killed the poor thing. So basically, it'll help next time. I'll do the next one on top of the stove (not in the oven) and cook it less.
Love you!
XO
Dreadfully sorry about Dr. Fizzle. I suppose he's done his last Houdini, disappearing like he did for all those days back when. But, like Houdini, I'm sure that he's having fun and devising escapes in rodent Heaven.
How did Hedgehog take to the idea of getting a new hampster?
I know I am terribly late, but God Speed to Dr. Frizzle! I'm glad that Hedgie took it so bravely. We have a multitude of small pets that have been laid to rest amongst the flowers in the back yard. The turtles, frogs, rats, hamsters, and mice are just a few things that Trouble kept when she was with us. She will make a great pet lover as she matures!
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