Sunday, June 4, 2017

We Have A New Member Of The Family

"Can I get a dog?" Natalie asked a few months back.

"Nope," I answered. We have two cats, one of which is prone to biting. I could not imagine adding a dog to the mix. That cat would tear the poor mutt apart, I just know it. Plus, I'm more of a cat person, I won't lie.



"Please? I'll take care of it!"

"Like you take care of your cat?" I motioned towards Ruby. She's the moody one I mentioned. Natalie was supposed to feed her and change the cat box but she rarely does it.

"It's just," Natalie explained, "the poop is gross."

"It didn't stop you from pooping up your backside," I answered.

Natalie glared. "I was a BABY, I didn't know what I was doing."

She kept asking for a dog. A pug, specifically. "But I'd take ANY dog!"

I kept saying no.

She'd slide letters over to me. "Please let me get a dog!" it would say in pink ink.

"No," I'd write back in blue ink.

I wasn't going to change my mind because I knew I'd be stuck taking care of the dog.

"Well," Natalie huffed. "If I can't get a dog can I get a hamster?"

I thought about it. Hamsters were small. And cheap. "If you do well in school, we'll get one on the last day," I relented. I never had a hamster growing up. I just had cats. But a hamsters could be something Natalie could take care of on her own.

It was the last day of school on June 1st. Natalie showed me her final report card.

"All As and Bs, thank you very much," she said proudly. She even bowed. "Now. Let's go get that hamster!"

She had been counting down the days. And so we set out to Petsmart to pick out a new friend.



Now, I didn't know there were so many different kinds of hamsters. Robo hamsters. Dwarf hamsters. Russian hamsters. Syrian hamsters.

"They're all so cute!" Natalie cooed. Most of the hamsters were sleeping.

"Which one do you want?" I asked.

"Hmm." Natalie tapped her chin. "Hmm." She went from one cage to the next.




"Natalie," I said. "Could you please pick one?"

"This is a serious job!" Natalie explained, annoyed. She went to another cage. "Hello!"

Finally, she had it narrowed down to two. One of those dwarf hamsters or a syrian one. I called a worker over. I asked which one was nicer.

"Oh, the syrian one for sure."

There were three syrian hamsters.

"Hmm," Natalie said, tapping her chin.




FINALLY Natalie picked one of those. Then she said she had to pick out a welcome home treat.



We FINALLY made it out of there $234897 later. The hamster was in a box with holes and Natalie was all, "I think he's stuck. A flap is trapping him," on the drive home.

"Just don't let him out," I warned. I pictured the hamster racing all over the car and stopping underneath the brake and me pressing down and....

"Just don't let him out," I repeated.

There were shuffling noises in the back. And then, "He got out! Pumpkin, come back!" She had named her new friend Pumpkin. The new friend might not last very long if she didn't catch him in time. "Pumpkin! Come here!"

Then I heard a strange hissing noise.

"What's THAT?" I shrieked. It sounded like the noise I make when I desperately need Diet Coke.

"Pumpkin. He got scared when I grabbed him. But he's back in his box. He pooped everywhere."

Oh, fun.

But seriously, I never knew hamsters made that noise.

Anyway, meet Pumpkin:



He's pretty cute. He hasn't escaped again.



I just hope he lives past a year.

Otherwise there will be drama, because says she "just loves him so much!" She's been taking great care of him so far.

What was your first pet?

45 comments:

  1. Awww, pumpkin is soooo cute. My kids want a hamster in the worst way!!

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  2. Too cute! My son is obsessed with dogs right now. I will get one in a few years. I'm still potty training my 2 year old.

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  3. Such a cute pet! I love the name Pumpkin too. A hamster is a great compromise on a pet, especially if you already have cats!

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  4. Awwww! Haha my first pet was a hamster and he ended up escaping in my parents house. We joked that we would find him in a cabinet on a lounge chair with a pina colada. Yeah we never found him lol.

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  5. Hamsters are great pets and if cared for properly they can live happily for 3-5 years. Remember to keep them friendly they need to be handled frequently and given lots of treats and love. Please impress on your daughter that Pumpkin is a living thing that deserves to be cared for properly. I hate it when people give kids that they know will flake on caring for a pet a small rodent because they "don't matter." :(

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    1. Don't worry, she'll take care of him. She loves him.

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  6. Omg, he is so adorable. I love him! She still needs a pug, mom. ;)
    My first pet was my mom's choice. A pekingese she'd had forever named Sam, who passed away, then we had Terry, then Cocoa. All pekingese! Those dogs aren't very nice btw. They bite! Hahaha. I prefer my pugs. :)

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  7. Awww, cute new pet! I have two cats and a dog. Like you, I'm more of a cat person.

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  8. Awwww! So precious! One of my children is allergic to dogs and I'm a cat person too so I totally understand the hesitancy of taking on the huge responsibility of a dog. Good save, Momma!

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  9. My daughter has been hammering it in my ears for a while now to get her a hamster or a bunny. I definitely would but not now. Until I feel that she can take care of it. Pumpkin is such a cute name.

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  10. Aww.. Natalie made a great choice, cute hamster! We'll I've not had any pets but my paternal house had a lovely dog!

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  11. What a hilarious story! I can't wait to hear more adventures about the two cats and pumpkin.

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  12. My kids would love a hamster, but I'm not sure I'd like one! They are cute though!

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  13. Poop is gross, exactly! That's why I always say no to animals, if we had an outside space then maybe.

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  14. He is so cute. I agree, I am much more of a cat person than a dog person. My daughter has been asking for a ferret (ew), and I am trying to convince her to get a fish instead lol.

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  15. Aww, he's so cute! I remember how excited my girls were when we got our ferret. lol.

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  16. Pumpkin is so cute! I had a hamster too growing up, I both loved her and was scared of her haha.

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  17. How cute love the name. I remember when my kids were younger we go hamsters to. It is so much fun to make your kids happy, even though you wind up taking care of all the pets lol

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  18. That name is just adorable. I would love to have one but someone in my family has a severe allergy to fur. I want to cuddle him!

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  19. Pumpkin is so cute. That little face is precious. I hope your daughter has fun caring and playing with him.

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  20. Too cute! I have 4 dogs and I've been pestering my husband to get me cats but hw wouldn't. Maybe I should ask for a hamster instead.

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  21. He is pretty adorable.
    Other than some ill-fated goldfish, and one who shockingly lived a full year, our first pet was a dog. My parents had no patience for anything else.
    Now we have a dog, a cat, and 11 chickens, so I really just don't know anymore!
    I'm glad you got a boy because I heard that female hamsters eat their babies!!!

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  22. Aw Pumpkin is so cute but like you I am a cat girl. Your cats are stunning although like Natalie I do have a thing for pugs as well x

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  23. Omg what a cute new pet you guys got as the newest edition of your family! I remember begging my parents for a dog when I was younger! In the end, my parents caved and got me one! Good times! I do hope your new pet ends up working out! Keep us informed!

    ~Crissy
    www.whimsicalfawn.com

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  24. That's a cute hamster! She could train it and be the next internet sensation :) I can't wait more stories about your little guy :)

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  25. I would say that I'm a dog and cat person but I prefer cats because they're easier to take care of, plus they're always clean. My daughter has a cat but like yours, she rarely takes care of hers! UGH.

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  26. I have a cat and a dog. I like cats more too. I hope Pumpkin will live a happy and long life. Thanks for sharing and keep it up.
    XOXO //SINCERELY OPHELIA | NYC Petite Fashion Blogger

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  27. Hahaha, can I say that was a very gripping narrative. Congratulations to you and Natalie. Pumpkin is super cute. Love to him.

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  28. you are really a sweet mom to get a new pet in house <3 Loved the name Pumpkin for this cute pet. Hope Natalie is enjoying.

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  29. Pumpkin is really cute. I hope he lives past a year as well. We had hamsters and I always had problems with them. They weren't very people friendly unfortunately.

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  30. We had a hamster when I was young and loved it so much pumpkin is so cute!

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  31. This is super hilarious. Enjoyed reading. Enjoy with the new member :)

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  32. I loved this, she's too cute!! She worked hard for her first pet and hamsters are great pets!! I had one when I was a kid it was fun. I'm more of a dog person myself but either way good luck and have fun with Pumpkin!!

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  33. This was so funny to read! Nice touch with the little old lady graphic. hahaha! We have one hamster left. When we bought our first two hamsters (put in seperate cages) ends up they were both pregnant on arrival and at one point had 15 hamsters in our house. Yes, it was crazy and ridiculous!

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  34. I just loved that story. I remember in fourth grade we had a class hamster and I was waiting all year to take it home from the weekend. I finally got a chance but my dad just got surgery on his hand so my parents thought it wasn't a good idea but I begged and got my way. (only child guilt) I was so happy and had a blast that weekend. After that I asked if o could get one but they didn't give in anymore. I did get a dog a year later so I forgot about wanting a hamster but this story reminded me of Miss Peatree the fourth grade hamster. Thanks for making me remember and hope you enjoy you're new addition.

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  35. Never had a pet myself though my family had dogs and cats. Pumpkin looks great.

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  36. That's a sweet story! And the hamster is so adorable! Hope it will be taken good care of!

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  37. We have a dog and luckily the kids haven't asked us for any other pets yet! Pumpkin is so cute!

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  38. This was so much fun to read! My sister has been bothering me for a hamster too. Now that I see Pumpkin, I think I want one too now!

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  39. Aw sweet. Cute name! My sister had gerbils and guinea pigs growing up.

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  40. My kids had a hamster or two when they were younger and they are easy to please. Keep the cats far away from his cage.

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  41. Aww I want one!! My husband doesn't let us have one because we have too many pets.. Five birds, a water turtle, three cats and a big tank of fish...Well that is the real reason but he claims that the cats make it impossible... I will show him your post!!

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  42. My first cat was the same color as your orange cat. From there it was pets galore! I've had fish, hamster and parakeets. Your kids will love those new pet.

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  43. Omg how cute!!! Y'all must be having so
    Much fun with your new pet!!!!

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  44. Aww! My older brother had a hamster when we were little, and he used to make mazes for it with Nintendo game cases. I've always thought it would be fun to have one.

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