My little pet hamster died last Tuesday. She managed to cross that threshold between the old year and the new and didn’t show any symptoms of impending death – till that fateful day.
Little Mimi had been keeping me company for a whole year. Her mate, Mama, and their four offspring all died within the year. She was the only one to live a full year.
Having a pet hamster means having to share our life with it. From cleaning the cage to feeding the pet, the amount of work multiplies, especially when the pet gives birth. Of course, there is the joy of giving – yes, giving all that attention and labour in exchange for the companionship of the hamster.
A pet hamster can perk up your day! But, at the same time, it can also cause sadness. As with all things alive, there is a day for dying. I watched little Mimi grow up, find a mate, give birth, take meticulous care of her young, grow old and then die – all within the space of a year.
Even as I write these words, my heart shudders when I compare little Mimi’s cycle of life with that of my own. There are similarities. I wonder what life will be like for me when I grow old, for that matter, I wonder whether I will have that fortune of getting to be around to enjoy the gift of old age.
I had watched Mimi lose her agility at climbing up the grilles of the cage. I had also watched her lose more of her fur as she mellowed into old age. In the last two months, I saw her fight a losing battle to keep her fur specklessly white – she had begun to sport urine stains in the fur on her behind.
When she left this world, I was glad I was there with her, stroking her ears and fur, till she breathed her last breath.
Perhaps, I shouldn’t have compared myself with her, but then, she’s also a living thing. I went through the whole process of getting to know this little stranger, and becoming fond of her. I am sure she also went through the same process.
In short, life is all about experiencing the interaction of other living things, whether human beings or animals. It’s how we relate to one another that makes for living a fuller life.
Date of article: 7 Jan 2002