This was written for my humane society, Animal Education and Rescue’s Facebook page. I thought some of you may enjoy it:
Less than two years ago a teeny hamster found herself in a major predicament. A seven-year-old child put her in his backpack and thinking it was an ever-so-brilliant idea, brought her to school.
Deep inside the bag, amongst folders, books, pencils and a lunch bag the hamster, no larger than a golf ball, found herself jostled and jarred around as the boy moved from class to class. It was dark and must have been quite scary.
But it wasn’t until the school bus ride home that the piercing light momentarily blinded her as the boy couldn’t stand one more minute not sharing his secret. She felt herself being scooped up. Searing pain gripped her as she felt herself being carried up into the air… her leg had been snapped in half.
It was an observant teacher on the bus that saw what was happening. The boy huddled over something…something, she thought, didn’t seem right. So she went over and discovered the bitty, furry, gray hamster, the star of attention. The hamster was disheveled and confused and quite a bit scared. But this little soul was so gentle that no matter how she hurt, how terrified she was, she never bit once.
The kind-hearted teacher was appalled at what had happened to the little hamster. She didn’t know her leg was broken but she did know the hamster must be terrified. The boy claimed the hamster just found her way into the back pack. The smart teacher knew better.
Somehow she found us and called the office. She was pretty frantic and upset on the phone, asking us for help. Readily I agreed to take in the hamster. We don’t discriminate. A hamster, a dog, a cat, a rat, a fish, a duck, a hermit crab, a hedgehog, a bird, whatever. As long as they were domesticated and we had a place for them to go, they had a safe place with us.
Just a day before Juli, one of my volunteers, had fostered a large-sized Teddy Bear hamster, a different kind than the tiny one in the backpack. She had told me when she dropped the hamster off at his new home, “I don’t know what it is but now I just love hamsters. They are so cool! I know it might seem weird but I just loved that hamster.” So, it made sense for me to call Juli. Little did I know that I could not have chosen a better place for the hamster to go.
Within an hour Juli met the teacher and took the hamster. Initially she was shocked by how tiny she was. The other hamster she had fostered was about three times bigger. She still had the cage from the Teddy Bear so she set the new hamster up in her ample digs and named her Charlotte.
It wasn’t but a few hours when Juli called me and said, “Something is wrong with Charlotte’s leg. I think it’s broken.” With a deep sigh I knew that taking the little hamster to the vet would be beyond impractical so I told Juli to just watch and wait and get back to me.
The following morning I got a text message from Juli. “I’m at the vet with Charlotte. I know it’s crazy but she was suffering. I had to check it out. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.” By the end of the day Charlotte had had surgery to have the leg removed. The cost in the hundreds. Juli said, “I had to do it. I have the ability so I did. And as I am sure you will understand we want to adopt Charlotte.”
Juli gave me regular Charlotte updates. I loved getting them! They always made me smile. Charlotte didn’t skip a beat after losing her leg and hobbled about with gusto, nothing stopping her from going about her daily, busy hamster activities. Unlike many hamsters her size, she was incredibly gentle, never, ever snipping or biting.
What a life Charlotte had with Juli and her kids. She was held, cuddled and kissed. Can you imagine what she must have thought when giant lips would come at her? Charlotte was one of the animals featured on our van, her human sister Anna giving her a big smooch. Charlotte came to visit the kids at our youth club meeting more than once.
…Throughout the years I have had to explain myself to many people about many things, especially when it came to the choices I made with animals. I remember when I posted that we were having a problem with mice at the orphanage. I sent a photo of a humane trap. I explained that we were using them to catch the mice and then release them off the property. People asked, “why would you want to save mice that are in your house?” And “isn’t that what cats are for?”
Another time someone found a feeder mouse (meaning that the mouse was raised to be fed to a snake or something) in an aquarium by their apartment’s dumpster. It was pouring rain. The aquarium was filled about four inches of water and one of the two mice inside drowned in the water. The good samaritan scooped up the surviving mouse that had somehow climbed up onto something to save himself and called us. We took that mouse in and he was adopted almost right away. His new mom, an 18-year-old girl, made him a house fit for a king.
Yes, I understand “the circle of life” as it is explained to me. I know that animals kill animals and that many people eat animals. But I will get on my soap box for one minute and then get off quickly, I promise.
My firm belief is that as a human being in this world I have a responsibility to all life…not to harm and only to help. I don’t eat meat, I value all life and I take my responsibility for being a guardian to all life very seriously. My son Danny knows not to pick leaves off of trees and we do our best not to litter the Earth with garbage that can hurt all that is life.
We humans rule the world and by example I choose to rule by little sliver of it by embracing all life and holding it close like a mother would a baby. I believe that in order for this world to continue a peaceful way in the future is the only way we will survive.
The other day I received a text from Juli. Charlotte had a sore on her leg that they had been trying to treat with the doctor’s help. Unfortunately Charlotte kept chewing at the leg and the sore got bigger and bigger. “Making the very sad decision today to put Charlotte down. She keeps chewing herself despite all we’ve tried. Even tried a mini cone I can’t let her keep doing this to herself. She was such a sweet blessing to our family and we will miss her very much. Thank you for saving her and letting us love her.”
Thank you Juli for inspiring me further with your love for Charlotte. The example you are teaching your children is extraordinary. I am proud to have you as a volunteer and as a friend. Charlotte had a soul, just like all of us do. You saw it and you valued her, no matter her size or breed. Big hugs to you and your family.
The sun has just come out from behind the clouds, as I sit on the deck writing you. The dogs are calm and quiet after a morning meal and recreation. I am grateful for the day and the warm weather. I am grateful for you who read this and all your ongoing support.
Always with an open heart and love to you,
Sandy