My friend's granddaughter Sydney kept telling me I should do my column
on hamsters. I thought about it, but since I have never had a hamster,
I knew I could only do it with Syd's help.
So I interviewed Sydney, a nine-year-old fourth grader from Stillwater Elementary School and she set me straight about the world of hamsters. Her comments also demonstrated to me that hamsters make a great first pet to teach kids about the wonders and the responsibilities of caring for another living creature.
Sydney got the idea for getting a hamster from one of her video games. After she asked several times, her mom agreed to take her to the pet store to find a hamster. They both soon discovered there are different kinds of hamsters with different markings, sizes, and temperaments. The first one she picked out was a biter and she did not like that at all. The sales woman said she should look instead at the Chinese Dwarf hamsters since they are particularly gentle and do not bite. Sydney found the one she wanted, brought her home and named her Ling. That was over three years ago and Ling is still with Sydney.
The average life expectancy for a hamster is two years, so being over three makes Ling pretty special. Sydney says her longevity is due to the fact that she gets hamster vitamins and hamster yogurt treats. In addition, Ling gets fresh water and plenty of exercise running in her wheel. Sometimes Ling gets the wheel going so fast that it gets ahead of her little legs and tosses her out onto the cage floor. Nevertheless, she jumps up and does it all over again. Another game that gives Ling a thrill is when Sydney puts her in a ball and rolls it all over the house. It is also fun, Sydney explains, to let Ling run up her sleeve and down her front only to pop out at Syd's waist. That must tickle!
Ling is soft grey with a black stripe down her back. Sydney says she likes to be held, but when out of her cage, she must be protected from the other pets in the house. Like all hamsters, Ling is nocturnal. What she does at night while Sidney sleeps is anyone's guess, but I bet Ling keeps watch over the little girl that brought her home those three years ago.
Follow-up on Estherville
I am pleased to report that after our column on Estherville, many readers stepped up to give them a helping hand. Some brought supplies, some dropped off items for the thrift shop, and one man came with a generous check. Some people drove up just to see the place and the animals. Most promising, however, was the two women that came to organize a fundraiser for Estherville. Mark your calendars for December 2 when the C & R restaurant (RT 29, Broadalbin) will host dinner from 5 to 8 pm. The cost will be $21 per person. The food will include roast beef, ham, vegetarian pasta, potatoes, salad, dessert and coffee. All proceeds go to Estherville, a non-profit that receives no government assistance.
For more information, call Barb Kerker at (518) 882-5562.
Sydney got the idea for getting a hamster from one of her video games. After she asked several times, her mom agreed to take her to the pet store to find a hamster. They both soon discovered there are different kinds of hamsters with different markings, sizes, and temperaments. The first one she picked out was a biter and she did not like that at all. The sales woman said she should look instead at the Chinese Dwarf hamsters since they are particularly gentle and do not bite. Sydney found the one she wanted, brought her home and named her Ling. That was over three years ago and Ling is still with Sydney.
The average life expectancy for a hamster is two years, so being over three makes Ling pretty special. Sydney says her longevity is due to the fact that she gets hamster vitamins and hamster yogurt treats. In addition, Ling gets fresh water and plenty of exercise running in her wheel. Sometimes Ling gets the wheel going so fast that it gets ahead of her little legs and tosses her out onto the cage floor. Nevertheless, she jumps up and does it all over again. Another game that gives Ling a thrill is when Sydney puts her in a ball and rolls it all over the house. It is also fun, Sydney explains, to let Ling run up her sleeve and down her front only to pop out at Syd's waist. That must tickle!
Ling is soft grey with a black stripe down her back. Sydney says she likes to be held, but when out of her cage, she must be protected from the other pets in the house. Like all hamsters, Ling is nocturnal. What she does at night while Sidney sleeps is anyone's guess, but I bet Ling keeps watch over the little girl that brought her home those three years ago.
Follow-up on Estherville
I am pleased to report that after our column on Estherville, many readers stepped up to give them a helping hand. Some brought supplies, some dropped off items for the thrift shop, and one man came with a generous check. Some people drove up just to see the place and the animals. Most promising, however, was the two women that came to organize a fundraiser for Estherville. Mark your calendars for December 2 when the C & R restaurant (RT 29, Broadalbin) will host dinner from 5 to 8 pm. The cost will be $21 per person. The food will include roast beef, ham, vegetarian pasta, potatoes, salad, dessert and coffee. All proceeds go to Estherville, a non-profit that receives no government assistance.
For more information, call Barb Kerker at (518) 882-5562.
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