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I know many people see hamsters as rodents; likening them to either a mouse or a rat, which technically they are, but I can’t help it….I love them!

To me hamsters are so damn cute, I just wanna pick them up, squeeze them, and then chew on them.

When I was a kid, I had an all-white hamster named, Snowball. And my mother (being a HUGE animal lover) had this thing about permitting our pets to periodically run free around the house because she didn't like to see them caged up all the time. Therefore, every once in a while we would let Snowball out of his confinement, allowing him to be BORN FREE.

*note: this was before they invented the hamster run-about ball

On this one particular day while playing with Snowball, he suddenly ran under a space between the floor and the lower kitchen cabinets and got behind the wall.

OMG…I freaked out!

I remember running upstairs like a panicked drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage, flailing my arms and screaming to mother, “HELP! HELP! SNOWBALL JUST RAN BEHIND THE KITCHEN CABINET AND I CAN’T FIND HIM. HELP!!!!! HELP ME FIND HIM, PLEEEEEASE!!!!”

My mother immediately followed me downstairs and began opening the kitchen cabinets, throwing all the pots and pans on the floor in the hopes of finding Snowball inside the cabinets. She then took a flashlight and searched within the space under the cabinets, but alas….Snowball was nowhere to be found.

She also had the idea of placing some of his hamster food along the perimeter of the kitchen cabinets in the hopes of LURING him out.

I sat there on the floor for the rest of the day and the next morning, just staring at the kitchen cabinets and waiting for Snowball to peek his little head out. But no….he never showed up.

I finally came to the horrible realization that Snowball was lost behind the walls of our home forever, and would eventually turn into a hamster carcass.

In honored of the late passing of my dear Snowball, I would like to share a few photos I found online of some of the most precious hamsters…


Okay, have you ever seen such a cute face in all your life? Admit it.


Say hello to, Mr. Jowls.


This hamster looks like a Tibetan monk master sitting in prayer position.


I’m wondering if this is what happens to your hair if you eat too much broccoli.


This hamster looks part hamster, part dog.


I just wanna kiss his little nose.


Ah…What’s up Doc?


This is the first professional hamster basketball player. Dribbling.


And now, a proper memorial for Snowball….


60 comments:

  1. I like hamsters but am terrified of mice and rats, I think it's the long tails. :(

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  2. I think Snowball snuck into the room of a child who wasn't loved and didn't have anything but plush toys and decided he was needed there more.

    Yep, that's the story

    Jeffrey had a family of hamsters all named after Star Wars characters

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  3. Awww....I can just picture little Ronnie sitting all day waiting for Snowball to come out. Let's just think that he found a hole to the outside world and a little boy just like you adopted him and loved him forever.

    Better than a hamster carcass, no??

    Adorable pics! Have a great Monday!

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  4. So you never found Snowball? I don't mean to sound crass but did you ever smell anything? Maybe Snowball found his way outside and lived out the rest of his days free and wild. That's the way I'd like to think about it. Kind of like that old saying, "we're going to take the dog to live on a farm."

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  5. Great post, Ron! Love the pictures. So sorry to hear about Snowball. Losing a beloved pet is always so painful. But I confess I did laugh out loud about how you panicked like a "drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage" when you realized Snowball was gone. Brilliant! Snowball is in a better place now and I'm glad he had such a wonderful owner like you while he was still with us. Have a great week, buddy!

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  6. I think hamsters are adorable, but I think that about chipmunks too! I just don't want one to run over my feet! That is a sad, sad story about Snowball. My kids always wanted a hamster, but I was paranoid about exactly what happened with you,.....that a hamster could easily escape from their grasp and dash into one of our flooring vents!

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  7. I started reading this and laughing at 'running upstairs like a panicked drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage'.

    Now I am sad. Poor Snowball!

    I love hamsters and guinea pigs. I used to have guinea pigs, but stopped because their little lives were too short for my liking. I don't think there are many animals we haven't had in my lifetime.

    Poor Snowball :(

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  8. i too love hamsters, but rats and mice are OUT of THEE question. the kid has had about 6-7 hamsters. unfortunately the last one exercised himself to death. seriously, he wouldn't get off that darn wheel. came home and he was belly up. we have had at least two hamsters get out of their cage and roam free. one roamed all night, the other we caught fairly quickly. sorry about your snowball. have you seen this :
    http://www.break.com/index/hamster-plays-dead-after-getting-shot-2330982?st=email&ai=0&zi=0&ds=1

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  9. Good morning Pearl~

    Me too. It's the long tails on RATS that freak me out!

    EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

    Mice, I don't mind. I think they're kinda cute!

    Thanks for stopping by, m'dear! Have a wonderful week!

    X

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  10. Gooooooood morning Lady Dianne!

    "I think Snowball snuck into the room of a child who wasn't loved and didn't have anything but plush toys and decided he was needed there more."

    Aw...thanks, dear lady! And I bet you're right!

    ((( You ))))

    "Jeffrey had a family of hamsters all named after Star Wars characters"

    OMG....how CUTE!!!! And I bet they were ADORABLE!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, Di! Have a terrific week!

    X to you, Hope, Siren, and Isadora!

    P.S. are you not lovin' this cooler weather? It feels like FALL!!! I heard it's going down into the 50's in the evenings this week :)

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  11. Hiya Chrissy Girl~

    "I can just picture little Ronnie sitting all day waiting for Snowball to come out."

    HA! I sat there like a little guard...waiting and waiting.

    " Let's just think that he found a hole to the outside world and a little boy just like you adopted him and loved him forever."

    Aw....thanks. That's so sweet!

    Glad you enjoyed the pics. Aren't they adorable?

    Thanks for stopping by, Chrissy. Have a terrific week! Hope you're getting the cooler weather that we've been having here in Philly. OMG...it feels like FALL!

    X to you and gang!

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  12. Hey there Jen~

    Nope....we never found him :(

    "I don't mean to sound crass but did you ever smell anything?"

    HAHAHHAHHA! Funny you mentioned that because my mother thought the same thing. But, no, we didn't smell a thing. I think he must have gotten outside somehow, through the walls.

    "Maybe Snowball found his way outside and lived out the rest of his days free and wild."

    I think you're right! :)

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a glorious week!

    X

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  13. Hey there Bijoux~

    "I think hamsters are adorable, but I think that about chipmunks too!"

    Yes! Yes! Aren't chipmunks adorable too???? They kinda look part hamster, part squirrel! ADORABLE!

    "My kids always wanted a hamster, but I was paranoid about exactly what happened with you,.....that a hamster could easily escape from their grasp and dash into one of our flooring vents!"

    Exactly!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear friend. Hope all is going well with your house. Have a wonderful week!

    X

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  14. Aaw that's a sad story, Ron. I don't like to see animals caged up but I don't like to see them get lost either. It must have been awful not knowing where Snowball got to. I never had a hamster but looking at those fabulous pictures I wouldn't mind having one now. Yes, NOW. I'm not too old to love a pet again and I think hamsters are so darned cute. Hmmm now there's food for thought.

    Have a superb start to the week.

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  15. Aw...thanks, Rob!

    I found so many adorable pics online, I didn't know which ones to use?!?

    "But I confess I did laugh out loud about how you panicked like a "drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage" when you realized Snowball was gone."

    HAHHAHAHAHAHA! That's exactly what I looked like too!

    "Snowball is in a better place now and I'm glad he had such a wonderful owner like you while he was still with us."

    Thanks, buddy! And thanks for stopping by. Have a grrrrrrreat week!

    X

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  16. Hiya Babs~

    "I started reading this and laughing at 'running upstairs like a panicked drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage'."

    HAHAHAHAHHAAHA! And I swear to god, that's EXACTLY how I reacted!

    "I love hamsters and guinea pigs. I used to have guinea pigs, but stopped because their little lives were too short for my liking."

    You're right...they don't have a long life. I read somewhere online that a guy had a hamster for a year and half, and I thought that was pretty long.

    "Poor Snowball :("

    R.I.P. Snowball.

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a wonderful week!

    X

    P.S. I'm really enjoying your stories this month!

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  17. OMG Ron I LOVE this post, probably because I ADORE hamsters!

    I had a bunch growing up. My favorite was Bootsie. He was my Barbie's pet dog. And he ran through their house just like a dog! He didn't like when Barbie tried to pick him up though. Maybe because he was such a fatass and Barbie didn't have big biceps.

    Anyway, Bootsie lived a really long time. Like four years! Long time for a hamster.

    Then Austin had his Raptar. SHE was just the cutest little thing. Your 2nd picture reminds me of her. Except she had these stray hairs coming out from the side of her head!

    Okay, enough of me and mine.

    I cracked up about you "running upstairs like a panicked drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage" when Snowball went behind the cabinet. That's funny but not. Because when hamsters get loose, my gosh, they are tough to capture.

    After all these years, Snowball is in hamster heaven and having fun with Bootsie and Raptar. I'd love to see them romping around on their hamster wheel and chewing on some carrots.

    On another note, why do I want to type "hampster"?

    Anyway, GREAT post! LOVED those pictures and yes I want to squeeze them too, but not too hard! ;-)

    Have a fantabulous week!

    ((You))

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  18. OMG...Val...that video was HILARIOUS!!!!!

    Bwhahahahahahahahahhahaah!

    I watched it THREE times!!!!! OMG....how cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thank you sooooooooo much for sharing that!!!!!

    "i too love hamsters, but rats and mice are OUT of THEE question."

    It's funny because RATS freak me out because of their SIZE and TAIL. OMG....their tail is soooooooo gross-looking. But mice, I don't mind. In fact, we get them at work...I kid you not! Every once in a while we'll see one scamper across the sales floor in the middle of the day and I'll yell, "DON'T KILL IT....DON'T KILL IT!!"

    "unfortunately the last one exercised himself to death. seriously, he wouldn't get off that darn wheel. came home and he was belly up."

    Aw...how sad :(

    That's the thing about hamsters, they're delicate little creatures who don't seem to live long. I read somewhere online that a guy had a hamster for about a year and a half, and I thought that was long.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl! And again, thanks for sharing that video. It's PRICELESS!

    Have a wonderful week.......X

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  19. Gooooood morning Valerie~

    "I don't like to see animals caged up but I don't like to see them get lost either."

    I agree. Back then, they didn't have those 'run-around balls' for hamsters to walk around in. But even those are constricting because they're INSIDE something, and when they run around the ball keeps banging into things.

    "I never had a hamster but looking at those fabulous pictures I wouldn't mind having one now. Yes, NOW. I'm not too old to love a pet again and I think hamsters are so darned cute."

    Aren't the pics adorable? I'm seriously thinking that when I come back from my Florida trip this summer, I may just get myself a HAMSTER. They're such sweet little creatures.

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, dear lady. Have a SUPER week!

    X

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  20. Hey there Pam~

    " Ron I LOVE this post, probably because I ADORE hamsters!"

    Aren't hamsters ADORABLE little creatures! I love their precious little eyes. They look like cute tiny black buttons!

    "My favorite was Bootsie. He was my Barbie's pet dog. And he ran through their house just like a dog! He didn't like when Barbie tried to pick him up though. Maybe because he was such a fatass and Barbie didn't have big biceps."

    Bwhahahahahahahaha! HILAROUS!!!!!!!!!!!

    OMG, and he lived FOUR YEARS?!?! That's amazing because I read somewhere online that a guy at a hamster for a year and a half, and thought THAT was long!

    "Then Austin had his Raptar. SHE was just the cutest little thing. Your 2nd picture reminds me of her."

    OMG, I bet she was SOOOO cute! My two favorite hamster photos are that one and the last one.

    "I cracked up about you "running upstairs like a panicked drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage" when Snowball went behind the cabinet."

    HAHAHHAHAHA! And that's EXACTLY how I acted too!

    "Snowball is in hamster heaven and having fun with Bootsie and Raptar. I'd love to see them romping around on their hamster wheel and chewing on some carrots."

    Aw...what a sweet thought. And I bet you're right :)

    "On another note, why do I want to type "hampster"?"

    HA! Meeeeeeeee too! Cause it really does sound like hamp-ster.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your love for hamsters, dear friend!

    ((((( You )))))

    Have a fantabulous week!

    X

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  21. I always wonder what happens to hamsters when they disappear like that! I had two hamsters when I was about 19 or 20 (Fleetwood and Mac) but didn't realize they were a boy and a girl until I ended up with about 10 little baby hamsters which the father promptly ATE! I was SO horrified. I'd never seen such a thing before in my life! They both eventually got out of their cages never to be found again. I did see one of them briefly about two weeks after it got loose scurrying across the floor but couldn't catch it and then I moved not long after and never saw them again. I wonder if that's where abominable snowmen come from? Little hamsters let our of their confinement that just continue to grow and grow since they are no longer hampered or confined to such a small space? You know? That's what happens with goldfish and stuff! They will get as big as their space will allow so if the hamster has all of outdoors maybe he just keeps getting bigger! That must be how they got those huge ones for those car commercials! LOL

    Hope you have a WONDERFUL week!

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  22. Hey there Peg~

    OMG....I just this second finished leaving a comment on YOUR blog!!!

    " I had two hamsters when I was about 19 or 20 (Fleetwood and Mac) but didn't realize they were a boy and a girl until I ended up with about 10 little baby hamsters which the father promptly ATE!"

    Ewwwwwwwwww...you're kidding me?!?!??! He ATE them?!?!?

    However, I do think it's funny about their names and how you discovered that they were male and female!

    " Little hamsters let our of their confinement that just continue to grow and grow since they are no longer hampered or confined to such a small space? You know? That's what happens with goldfish and stuff! They will get as big as their space will allow.."

    You know, you're right because I read that somewhere. They adapt to their space!

    "That must be how they got those huge ones for those car commercials! LOL"

    HAHHAAHAHHHA! Yeah, I bet you're right!

    Thanks for stopping by, dear friend! Have a maaaavelous Monday and week!

    (((( You )))))

    X to you and D!

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  23. I once had a hamster who escaped from his cage, found his way into my bin of vinyl records, and chewed a hole through Billy Joel's greatest hits. The album itself - not just the cover.

    I kid you not.

    Needless to say, I was NOT a happy camper and very nearly decided on the spot to try a recipe for hamster stew that evening. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed, but damn.

    My hamster ate the piano man!!

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  24. Howdy Mark~

    "Needless to say, I was NOT a happy camper and very nearly decided on the spot to try a recipe for hamster stew that evening. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed, but damn.

    My hamster ate the piano man!!"

    Bwhahahahahahhahahaaha! HILARIOUS, MARK!!!!!

    OMG...and I cannot believe he ate the ALBUM?!?!?!

    And I don't blame you for being upset because I ADORE Billy Joel.

    What a sacrilege!

    Thanks for stopping by and sharing that story, bud! Enjoyed it!

    Have a faaaaaaaaabulous week!

    X

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  25. You found some of the cutest hamster pics EVER-love the broccoli hair!
    Never owned a hamster...my Daddy said we had enough rats trying to get in the house, lol!

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  26. Hiya Suzi~

    Thank you. It was so hard to choose because there were so many great photos.

    "love the broccoli hair!"

    It looks like a over-processed PERM - HAHHAHHAAHAHAHA!

    "Never owned a hamster...my Daddy said we had enough rats trying to get in the house, lol!"

    Oh, how FUNNY!

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have an awesome week!

    X

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  27. Oh Ron, I know just how you feel. Those tiny critters are so darling. The problem is they are so fragile and tiny. I hope he met up with some nice mouse family and lived out his days in the houses skeleton eating cheese with them and learning "mouse speak". We had a rat run into our kitchen years ago. It was a very big white rat and it scared the hell out of me and my cat too. Alex chased it outside, then took him a nice big hunk of cheddar cheese. We watched the rat nibble on the cheese through the kitchen window. He was actually kind of cute, but we weren't in the market for a new rat pet.

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  28. Hi Ronnie,
    How sad to have lost Snowball like that!! That is so weird that he would get lost like that and could not find the way back.
    That was my sad story of the day :(. I was imagining a young Ronnie heartbroken by this ((((Ron))))

    I think that we have all as children, had an animal that we cherished and then lost . I had my first dog (a Dachshund) that my parents bought for me. The breeder had neglected basic shots and the puppy contacted a canine virus that made it die. I was heartbroken; I had chosen a name(Hans) and was ready to have him in our family. Alas...

    Thank you too for the happy hamster photos! LOVED THEM!!!
    Hugs to ya down in Philly! xox

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  29. Hey there Linda~

    "Those tiny critters are so darling. The problem is they are so fragile and tiny."

    I know, they're so cute but very fragile, aren't they?

    " I hope he met up with some nice mouse family and lived out his days in the houses skeleton eating cheese with them and learning "mouse speak"."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was ADORABLE!!!!!

    "It was a very big white rat and it scared the hell out of me and my cat too. Alex chased it outside, then took him a nice big hunk of cheddar cheese. We watched the rat nibble on the cheese through the kitchen window. He was actually kind of cute, but we weren't in the market for a new rat pet."

    OMG...it would have scared the hello out of me too!!!! But it was so compassionate of Alex to do that - give him some cheese :)

    Thanks a bunch for stopping back, dear lady. So glad we met! Have a terrific week!

    X

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  30. Bonjour Barb~

    "That is so weird that he would get lost like that and could not find the way back."

    I think he probably got scared and didn't know where he was, and just got lost within the walls of our house :(

    "I had my first dog (a Dachshund) that my parents bought for me. The breeder had neglected basic shots and the puppy contacted a canine virus that made it die. I was heartbroken; I had chosen a name(Hans) and was ready to have him in our family. Alas.."

    Aw...how sad, Barb :( And I adore Dashshunds! A dear friend of mine had one who she named, S.O.S. He was so adorable and sweet. He looked like a little hot dog - HA! I was so sad when she eventually had to put him to sleep because he had all sorts of problems with his hind legs.

    Glad you enjoyed the photos. Aren't they sweet?

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, my friend. Have a wonderful week!

    ((((( Barb )))))

    X

    P.S. the weather here has suddenly turned to Fall. I'm not complaining, because last week it hit 94. This week it's down in the 70's during the day, and 50's at night. I'm LOVING it!

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  31. They are cute but like kids, they're much cuter when they are someone else's. ;)

    I'm so sorry about Snowball. Poor baby! You must have been devastated. I'm thinkin' he found away out of the house and lived happily everafter with a cute field mouse. :)

    My nephew lost a turtle in the house once. I crawled out from under the fridge 7 months later. Dusty, but very much alive!

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  32. Hey there Lady Nitebyrd~

    " I'm thinkin' he found away out of the house and lived happily everafter with a cute field mouse. :)"

    HAHAHHAHA! I bet you're right! And they ended up getting married and giving birth to hamouses!

    "My nephew lost a turtle in the house once. I crawled out from under the fridge 7 months later. Dusty, but very much alive!"

    OH. MY. GOD......SEVEN MONTHS LATER!?!?!? That was one tough turtle. Which reminds me, we had turtles too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're trip to the Pocono's was faaaaaaaabulous. I can't wait to read about it!

    Have a super week!

    X ya, Sis!

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  33. Ron, these photos are so cute! I laughed so hard at the Tibetian monk master in prayer position. Hilarious, because that's what he looks like!

    Sorry to hear about your beloved Snowball. I had hamsters too as a kid and lost several. It's so sad because they really are quite loving little critters, that become friends.

    "running upstairs like a panicked drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage." Too funny!

    R.I.P. Snowball.

    Have a wonderful week, Ron.

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  34. Oh yeah, I can totally relate. My parents never let me have a pet as a kid. I had to make do with the elementary school library rat that they let the kids play with. I often found myself playing with that rat while I read a book. Have to say that rats make some darn fine pets, and the distain they elicit is not warranted (at least, not when the rat is a docile animal).

    And when I left the Air Force guess what I did? Yep, bought a cat. Haven't looked back since.

    And I think it's a good idea that our Tyler is growing up with a cat. I can only hope it teaches him empathy and responsibility taking care of another living thing.

    Oh, and that broccoli hamster is awesomely weird! :-)

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  35. Hola Denise~

    "I laughed so hard at the Tibetian monk master in prayer position. Hilarious, because that's what he looks like!"

    HAHAHAHAHA! That's exactly what I thought too! A Tibetan monk master in full garb!

    "It's so sad because they really are quite loving little critters, that become friends."

    You're right, they do become friends. As do all our pets.

    "running upstairs like a panicked drag queen that had just lost an eyelash onstage." Too funny.

    Yes...I acted like a panicked DRAG QUEEN!!!!!

    Thanks for stopping by, girl. Always a delight to see ya! Hope you had a wonderful Monday and week!

    X

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  36. Howdy Herman!

    "I often found myself playing with that rat while I read a book. Have to say that rats make some darn fine pets, and the distain they elicit is not warranted (at least, not when the rat is a docile animal)."

    OMG...thank you for sharing that because I had no idea about rats. It's their tail that freaks me out, but I'm sure (from what you just shared) they make great pets as well! And it's true, rats get a bad rap.

    "And when I left the Air Force guess what I did? Yep, bought a cat. Haven't looked back since."

    Aren't cats the BOMB? I love many animals, but cats will always hold a special place in my heart. I just identify so closely with a cats personality. I adore them!

    "And I think it's a good idea that our Tyler is growing up with a cat. I can only hope it teaches him empathy and responsibility taking care of another living thing."

    Aw...that is sweet! And I admire you for teaching him that!

    "Oh, and that broccoli hamster is awesomely weird! :-)"

    He is awesomely weird, isn't he? His hair reminds me of an over-processed PERM - HA!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Hope your Monday was a great one. As well as your week!

    X to you, Karin, and Mr. Tyler!

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  37. Hey there Meleah~

    Thanks, girl!

    X

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  38. Ron, the one of the professional basketball player, dribbling, is a hoot! I never had a hamster as a kid, but after looking at these photographs I may just have to get one as a adult. Very cute!

    RIP, Snowball.

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  39. Hey there Matt~

    So glad you enjoyed the photo. Isn't that hamster ADORABLE? As soon as I saw it I thought....basketball player - HA!

    " I never had a hamster as a kid, but after looking at these photographs I may just have to get one as a adult."

    After reminiscing about this story, I may just have to get me another hamster too! They are the cutest little things!

    Thanks for stopping by, bud. Have a terrific week!

    X

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  40. :) X

    I just sent you an email.

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  41. Just got your email response.

    Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    X

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  42. Awwwww ... poor Snowball! :( That is so sad. I can deal with losing pets (after a long period of mourning) but to lose one and not know where they went or what happened is just awful. It happened to a cat we had one time, who went missing just before we moved house. We searched and searched and searched, but didn't find a trace. Later we heard that someone had found a black cat dead under a bush in their garden and I have to assume this was our poor Gladly.

    You'll probably be amused to hear that Gladly got his name because he was crossed-eyed and reminded me of the story about a child who named his teddybear Gladly. When asked why, he said it was because of the hymn. Mystified, his mother asked which hymn, and the child said 'Gladly my Cross-Eyed Bear', of course!

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  43. Hey there Jay~

    Aw....thank you, dear friend!

    "That is so sad. I can deal with losing pets (after a long period of mourning) but to lose one and not know where they went or what happened is just awful."

    Yes it is, isn't it?

    " Later we heard that someone had found a black cat dead under a bush in their garden and I have to assume this was our poor Gladly."

    So sorry to hear that. :( It feels so much worse when we lose a pet that way - suddenly - doesn't it? There is no time to process the loss.

    " When asked why, he said it was because of the hymn. Mystified, his mother asked which hymn, and the child said 'Gladly my Cross-Eyed Bear', of course!"

    OMG....that is the SWEETEST story I EVER heard!!!!!!

    That really touched my heart!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Jay. Always a joy to see your comments! Hope you're having a lovely week!

    ((((( You )))))

    X

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  44. I just about fell off my chair reading the part about acting like a panicked drag queen losing an eyelash onstage. I can picture you doing that, Ron!

    So sorry to hear about your pal, Snowball. As others have shared here, I bet he got out safely and found himself a hamster mate and lived happily ever after in the forest.

    Great photos. Love your memorial for Snowball.

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  45. Hiya Robert~

    Tee, hee! My mother use to always refer to me as her, "Dramatic Son." The only problem being is that she could never tell if I was telling the truth or over-DRAMAtizing!

    " I bet he got out safely and found himself a hamster mate and lived happily ever after in the forest."

    Aw...thanks, bud.

    "Love your memorial for Snowball."

    I found the photo online and then used PicMonkey to add the text. I LOVE PicMonkey because you can do so many cool things with your photos.

    Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you're enjoying a faaaaaabulous week!

    X

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  46. ......NOW I'm sad.

    But I'm choosing to believe that Snowball found FREEDOM and happiness in the big, wonderful world.

    Yaknow.....we've talked and talked and talked about a new pet (I miss Thammy the Thnake....*sigh*) and we've thought about a hamster. But it's just not workin' for me......NOT that they're not cute in their hamster sorta way.
    But I need a snake to twist and turn and slither around the plantlife, lookin' all sortsa cute.

    *sigh* Just not today.
    Too full of a plate--which is why I settle for chasing and naming the critters that frequent the patio, checkin' up on me. I have a ZOO back there......and I think I sorta like it that way.....

    Maybe a snake'll find his way to the patio and sun with me!!!
    k.....how cool would THAT be!!! :-)

    Yeah.......well......I am a bit bizarre........LOL IN a nice sorta way!!!

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  47. *waving*

    Hiya Mel!

    "But I'm choosing to believe that Snowball found FREEDOM and happiness in the big, wonderful world."

    Aw....thanks, dear lady. I bet he did too :)

    "But I need a snake to twist and turn and slither around the plantlife, lookin' all sortsa cute."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That CRACKED ME UP!!!!

    And I have to say, I actually like snakes. I know most people are frightened of them, but they've never bothered me that way. I'm more frightened of ROACHES. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

    "Maybe a snake'll find his way to the patio and sun with me!!!
    k.....how cool would THAT be!!! :-)"

    You would LOVE living in Florida because it's not unusual to see snakes hanging out on the patio or pool sunning themselves.

    Thanks oodles for stopping by, dear lady! Hope you're enjoying a wonderful week!

    (((( You )))))

    X

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  48. Oh noooo! Snowballllll!!!!!!!! Ron, would you believe I have a white mouse names Snowball? My son's friend put a mouse in his locker, NO CAGE, and didn't tell him. He had let his two mice breed and well, you know. David wanted one, so his friend just put him in the locker and told him, "Be careful of Beavis." So my son had his first mouse pet, Beavis. My daughter of course, seeing the cute face, said, "I want one!" Was it named Butthead? Nope... so now we have Beavis and Snowball.

    Your pictures made me laugh! We had a teddy bear hamster we LOVED... we called him Fluffer Nutter, but the actual name was Fluffy. Hmmm wonder where my daughter got THAT one! He was amazing. Hamsters are awesome pets.

    If I lived near you, you DO know you would find a habitrail with a hamster in it at your door, right? With a bow on it??

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  49. Hiya Katherine!

    "Ron, would you believe I have a white mouse names Snowball? My son's friend put a mouse in his locker, NO CAGE, and didn't tell him. He had let his two mice breed and well, you know."

    OMG....how funny!

    " My daughter of course, seeing the cute face, said, "I want one!" Was it named Butthead? Nope... so now we have Beavis and Snowball."

    Bwhahahahahahahaha! That's faaaaaaaaaabulous!!!! LOVE the names!

    Thank you, aren't the pictures adorable?

    "Hamsters are awesome pets."

    Yes they are! And they're so damn cute!!!!!

    "If I lived near you, you DO know you would find a habitrail with a hamster in it at your door, right? With a bow on it??"

    Aw.....thank you dear lady! You're a sweetheart!

    (((((( You )))))))

    And it's funny because after sharing this post it made me want to get another hamster. After I get back from my trip to Florida in July, I may just get me one!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Katherine! Have great rest of your week!

    X

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  50. Dear Vent,

    while browsing through the internet today I found the image of you on top of the WTC on your webpage. The picture is really beautiful!!! - so I have to contact you immediately to ask you wether you like to participate in our project:

    three years ago we -Robert Ziegler and Stefka Ammon- started working on our private project MY_WTC. It is our goal to explore the question of the site' s myth via (mostly) tourists' photographs of the World Trade Center in New York City (August 5th 1966 - September 10th 2001). Also we would like to find out why so many people took pictures of themselves in front, on top of, inside or next to the WTC. Our project is about exploring the "specific aura" of the World Trade Center from the angle of tourists from all over the world.

    On our photo-blog www.my-wtc.com you can see pictures submitted from many places and, this is important to us too, you can also comment on pictures with your memories and associations. We hope to create a vivid exchange. We would be very happy if we arouse your interest with our MY_WTC project. It would really be wonderful if you also submit your great picture! Maybe even with some comments or descriptions (year, reason for photograph...)

    In any case we are very much looking forward to hearing from you! Best greetings from sunny Berlin, Germany

    Best Robert and Stefka

    PS Unfortunately "triloquist@gmail.com" did not work? The perspective of your image is really unique! Not one of the 400 images we collected show the people behind the railing. Well done! What did the security tell you?

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  51. sorry about your pet, you must have been traumatized Ron! They are little cuties, even though they are rodents. Same for squirrels. Can't help but love em. :) Speaking of rodents....my niece and her husband are taking a trip to Peru this summer and have learned that guinea pig is a common food item there.....! excuse me while I digest that information.

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  52. Hey there Diane~

    Aw...thanks, girl. Sharing this post was very therapeutic; recalling dear little Snowball. I'm seriously considering getting another hamster when I return from my trip in July. Hamsters make great little roommates!

    "Speaking of rodents....my niece and her husband are taking a trip to Peru this summer and have learned that guinea pig is a common food item there.....! excuse me while I digest that information."

    OH. MY. GOD.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're kidding me?!?!?

    Well, I've always wanted to visit Peru myself, but upon hearing that.....maybe not - HA!

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend! Have a wonderful weekend!

    Much X to you and Cristybella!

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  53. A drag queen that had lost an eyelash?? OMG...I'm totally giggling at that visual.

    Poor Snowball, though. :(

    I've had little exposure to hamsters. My uncle had one he called Maynard. He'd roll around the house in his exercise ball and Greg (after a few beers) would say "That's good shit, Maynard!" LOL

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  54. Hellooooooooooooo Tara~

    Tee, hee....aren't I a silly man? But that's what I totally acted like - HA!

    " My uncle had one he called Maynard. He'd roll around the house in his exercise ball and Greg (after a few beers) would say "That's good shit, Maynard!"

    Bwhahhaahahhaah! Oh, how FUNNY!!! And what an adorable name....Maynard!

    X

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  55. When I was a kid I had a pet rat, an albino. It slept in a cage on the backporch, with our dog. Not the smartest arrangement. It got out, the dog scared it to death. It died behind the dryer. At least I had a body for the funeral. That was the last of my rodent pets.

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  56. Greetings kdmas58~

    Welcome! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to share a comment. Nice to meet you!

    So sorry to hear about pet rat :(

    But it's so ironic you shared that because when I was a kid, not only did I have a hamster, but also a rabbit. And what you just described similarly happened to my rabbit. Our German Shepard dog chased it around the backyard and caused the poor little rabbit to have a heart attack and die :(

    Again, thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!

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