If this image doesn't cause at least a little "Awww" in your throat then you must be my husband...
He finds absolutely nothing entertaining about rodents.
"I can smell them through your monitor," he sniffs and says with a frown on his face.
My eldest was babysitting Peaches the hamster for her boyfriend when lo and behold the critter begat 11 babies.
"I witnessed the miracle of life," my daughter said as she passed the cage to me.
"Now it is up to you to make sure she doesn't eat 'em," she announced.
"How do I do that?" I asked.
My baby shrugged her shoulders and said she trusted me.
"I'm going to the beach. I didn't complain about taking care of Annie so hope you don't with Peaches."
She kissed me, thanked me and left.
Making sure Mom Hamster doesn't eat all her chil'ren is not as easy as it sounds.
At first Momma went bonkers in her cage. She tore tissue in bits, buried her youngins in bedding and tossed her kiddos around with her yellow teeth.
I feared the task beyond my abilities.
Then it hit me that this mom had just given birth to 11 babies and had no support system in place.
I tried to think like a hamster with 11 babies.
Yes, I really did.
What might I desire if'n I was in her shoes?
A shotgun was my immediate answer, but was'nt an option.
But the real answer became was obvious.
The gal needed food and peace.
I would want M&M's and a nap, but I'm human.
Historically, the mice in my life enjoy my pantry offerings, the fresher the better.
At the time I have plenty of fresh veggies on my countertop.
So I offered her squash. And buddy, she hopped on as soon as it hit the cedar shavings. She gobbled several pieces then, to my surprise, took small bits to her babies and patiently showed them how to eat solid foods.
Octomom, Kate Gosselin have nothing on Peaches the Hamster.
It occurred to me I had just witnessed the miracle of being a Mama.
Thanx Peaches.
**Almost forgot**
Do you want a hamster?
