One really smart hamster

[Catherine]

Robin has figured out how to get into Flora, the guinea pig's enclosure, so he can now feed and water himself. Her food is not the same, but it will do if I am not home to put him back in with his own food.

I have never figured out why some hamsters do this, but over the years I have had independent hamsters. They just wanted to feel like they were in charge.

Sadly I now have only three dwarfies. My only female, my oldest hamster, curled up to sleep last night. This morning she looked like she was asleep, but she was so still and when I checked she had died in her sleep. RIP Judy. She was nearly two and dwarfies only live that long.
The other two are nearly two and Robin is 17 months. When I bred dwarfies(eleven years) I had 140 of different ages and their babies. These three are the last of my colony and it is the end of a big part of my life. I used to be called the Hamster Lady. Hundreds of children had their first pet experience with one of my dwarfies.

I think it is extra special that Robin is such a character. He is the last of a long line of dwarf hamsters. I did have fun, but when the pet store I dealt with was closing, it was time to stop breeding and let the colony die out. Robin is my last baby hamster. The youngest is always special.