A Death in the Family

Sadly, I was informed this morning that a lovely member of our family had passed on. My children had to give me the news as I was putting on my make-up. I'm ashamed to confess that I thought they were making it up and ignored them until my mascara was perfectly applied. But alas, it is true. Tinkerbell has gone to Heaven.


I was hoping to dispose of her remains discretely with the morning's garbage, but my heart-broken brood is quite insistent that we give her the proper burial she deserves. Um, anyone have ideas on how to wrap a hamster for burial so the other family pet doesn't dig it up and use it as a chew toy?!

I imagine we'll be paying a visit to the pet store this weekend to select a new little rodent to love. After all, following her most recent escape (while we were away, she chewed clear through her awesome plastic cage), a brand spankin' new 'chew-proof' cage was purchased. It came with food and shavings and treats... We can't very well let all those great hamster supplies go to waste!

But Tinkerbell will forever hold a special place in our hearts. She will be remembered as the great escape artist of 2008; the disgusting little creature who chose to use the same corner of her cage for food, bedding, and bathroom; the monkey hamster who could climb her cage and swing from one finger; the cute little furball who Braeden just wanted to pick up and play with this morning - that lay stiff in the throes of rigor mortis in his little boy hands...

Farewell, Tinkerbell!