Moon's Graden

I went pretty far out of my way to go to Petco & bought a bunch of supplies
there instead.  I can only speak about the Petco I went into, but this one
had all the hamsters housed appropriately (instead of multiples per cage)
with Carefresh bedding, so I felt much happier buying my supplies there.

The hamster in the mouse cage did not appear to be harmed in any way - it
was just sleeping with some of the mice snuggled up to it.  However, it
still makes me unhappy when I think about it b/c this can't be right.
Hopefully they will take him out of that cage before the hamster and/or the
mice are harmed.

Just venting to all of you b/c I am feeling quite ineffective, not having
done anything to help these little creatures.

Jeanne
and Hammy "who loves my mommy anyway, even though she was not brave enough
to help the hammy and mice"

It might be a good thing I've never seen that before, because I'd just flip
and make a scene there and then...

My dear, dear Hammy --

I need to ask you a very special favor, sweetheart.  I need for you to
forgive your mommy, and help her to forgive herself.  I really
understand how much it hurts, because it was very hard for me to speak
up for the loveys when I began too.  It gets easier.  People who care
listen, and people who don't care can't hurt me by thinking bad things
about me.  They're bad people, and what they think doesn't matter.

We can only do what we can do.  Mommy did a brave thing by pointing it
out to the employee.  She did an important thing by refusing to spend
money where little loveys aren't treated very, very well.  She did the
perfect thing by resisting the temptation we all feel sometimes to buy a
little sweetie and give a store money for treating them badly.

She has an awfully good heart to still be worried about that little
munchkin so.

And you know what?  She may not be finished yet.  Maybe she'll phone the
store tomorrow and ask to speak to the manager.  Maybe she'll tell him
on of his employees needs to understand we don't discipline baboos.
Maybe she'll explain that the employee didn't seem to understand the
danger.  Maybe she'll tell the manager she saw a lot of good things at
the store too, and was sure someone would care enough to correct the
employee, unlike stores where animal abuse complaints have to be filed
to make the little pretties safe.

I know you understand how hard it is when you're scared to do things you
really want to do.  Please remind mommy we all feel that way sometimes.
Give her a big Hammy grin and remind her it's okay, and there's still
time.

Thanks, Hammy.  You've got a wonderful mommy there, and she's got a
pretty terrific tweety-buttonses in you too.

Love,
Auntie Jane

stars :
: The hamster in the mouse cage did not appear to be harmed in any way - it
: was just sleeping with some of the mice snuggled up to it.
....
First off, don't beat yourself up about it, as Jane has said, it's difficult
when you first start out,  complaining isn't always so easy to do.

When I see posts like yours about mixed species I always respond negatively
about it, and sometimes I get flamed for that, which only irritates me more. I'm
against housing mixed rodents.

The hamster will be ok with the mice (though I hate to say that) but, it's just
not worth the risk and the pet store is a disgrace since they should be setting
an example!  

A telephone call to the manager of the store or better still to a head office, if
there is one.

Wendy :)
www.rodentrefuge.co.uk

I gave your message to my mommy and she said thank you.  She is feeling
better now, and she is going to see what she can do to help more hammies.

Love,
Hammy

Wendy:

Jeanne