I knew the minute I hit “submit” on the signup type agreeing to look after the category hamster for a weekend that I used to be taking a threat. The category knew it too. My son’s instructor shared that just a few college students expressed considerations concerning the hamster being at house with “the 4 children.” See, my home is slightly chaotic, and everybody is aware of it. With 4 children starting from 9 to 2, it’s merely the character of the beast. However we are able to’t let my affinity for procreation get in the best way of every child’s life experiences. So when my nine-year-old son mentioned he needed to take house the category pet, we signed up.
The hamster — named “TG Bullet” by the fourth grade class — arrived on a Friday afternoon and was instantly whisked away into my son’s room. He was fast to arrange the transportable playpen, inserting the cage inside and permitting the hamster to roam out and in whereas nonetheless being confined. He then referred to as the entire household into his room, proudly introducing us to his weekend companion. My seven and five-year-old fought over who would maintain him first as my two yr previous jumped and squealed with pleasure. As I labored to calm the state of affairs, I observed one thing necessary. This was not your common hamster, just like the one I had rising up. This was a mini hamster (which I didn’t know existed) and was very, very tiny and quick. Nobody, together with adults, would have any success holding this man. Catching him could be a feat; conserving him from escaping or being squished — no probability.
So we laid down just a few guidelines. The hamster was to remain within the cage or pen, and no shifting him to or from both with out the supervision of an grownup. The youngsters fought it and bought mad, realizing their desires of a hamster in their bed have been gone. However finally, they bought over it.
Later that evening, we had buddies and their children over, two of whom have been buddies of my nine-year-old. He was thrilled to point out off his short-term roommate, and so they instantly needed to take him out of the cage. I chaperoned as they rigorously eliminated him from the cage and into the pen. For about an hour, they performed video video games whereas the hamster loved his spacious trip area. When it was time for the chums to depart, they took it upon themselves to place him again within the cage with out alerting me. So, after reprimanding them, I took a glance to verify he was again within the cage with out problem. And there he was, working on his (noisy) wheel, completely satisfied and protected. Phew. Up to now, so good.
After everybody left, we settled the children down for the evening, tucking all of them in and transitioning to our nightly routine: a bowl of popcorn and a Netflix present in mattress. After about an episode and a half, at 10:45pm my husband wanted water and headed downstairs. On his method again up, I observed he stopped mid-step, after which I heard a scream. “Ahhhh! THE GERBIL!” The what?! To start with pal, it’s a mini hamster, and second of all — what?!
I jumped off the bed, rounded the nook, and peered down the steps. My husband was about midway up the stairway, carrying solely a pair of boxer shorts. He stood in an athletic place, prepared for battle. Confused, I regarded down, following the gaze of my husband, till I noticed him: TG Bullet, working rapidly forwards and backwards on the third step down from the highest. HOW THE HELL?!
I rapidly bumped into my son’s room and emptied his metallic tin of Pokemon playing cards. My shirtless husband and I then labored collectively in a nervous fury to shimmy the quick, nimble mini hamster gently into the tin after which again into the cage. Holy sh*t, that was shut.
Upon examination of the cage it appears a small circle plug (meant to shut a gap that might connect tubing the cage if essential) had come off and was mendacity on the ground beneath the cage. This helped me perceive how he escaped, however the actuality of it was nonetheless slightly mind-blowing. The cage was on a nightstand subsequent to my son’s mattress. So this courageous, apparently indestructible miniature rodent bought out of the cage, right down to the ground, down the corridor, after which down three stairs with out harm. (And I do know he wasn’t injured as a result of upon re-entry into the cage he proceeded to run ferociously on his additional loud wheel for the rest of the evening.)
So fortunately, all of us survived. The category pet was returned with out harm and I promised my son to by no means inform his classmates. So, hopefully none of you studying are in Mrs. Kelley’s fourth grade class. And if you’re — lock it up. No hurt, no foul.
Samm is an ex-lawyer and mother of 4 who swears lots. Discover her on Instagram @sammbdavidson.
