Newt the Cute

found 6 April 2007--passed away 12 November 2009

A few weeks ago, Newt started to show signs of kidney failure. She was having a hard time getting around, and she had stopped eating. Hamsters only live two to three years, so we knew it was her time. I removed obstacles from her cage so she could get around easier without being hurt, and I changed her to a lower-protein diet to keep her comfortable. She didn't appear to be in pain, so we kept her at home and enjoyed what time we had left with her. I fed her baby food each day by hand, and then she'd fall asleep in my lap.



On November 12, she died quietly in her sleep.

I want to remember Newt by adopting another hamster from a shelter some time in the future. There simply aren't enough people who adopt from animal shelters, and I feel that small animals have it especially tough. People don't take in neglected hamsters when they can buy them for a few dollars at a pet store. I will keep my home open to little ones who need me.

Thank you, Newt, for adopting me. You will be missed.

Today's the second anniversary of Newt's rescue! She's as cute as ever, stuffing her cheeks and running on her wheel. We've gotten a lot of mileage out of our little Dumpster Hamster. Or maybe she's gotten a lot of mileage out of us. I'm not sure which.

Have a fuzzy cupcake!



And smile for the camera. ^_^

( Dear Newt... )

Know what we haven't done in awhile? Checked in on Newt! Newt got a fancy new home today, and she's quite impressed.

( Let's catch up with Newt, shall we? )

I just got out of the shower this morning and came into my office, when I noticed that the top of Newt's cage was pushed up and back. The containers next to her tank were toppled over, and her brush was on the floor. I picked up Newt's house, and she was gone! O_O

I did a little sing-song, "Neeewt... where aaare you? I know you're in here." At least, I was hoping she was. And sure enough, I heard one of her quiet hamster sneezes. She was under my desk! There were some boxes in front of my desk, so I pushed those aside. Newt just walked right up to me.

Best hamster ever.

Hopefully, she didn't get into anything harmful. She must have taken quite a tumble off her shelf, but she doesn't seem hurt. Poor hamster! I've put a book on her tank topper, and I'll be keeping an eye on her.

One year ago today, Kris and I found a cold, scared, baby hamster in the garbage bin behind our store. That hamster is now big, healthy, and afraid of no one. ^_^ I gave Newt her birthday treats:



( one more )

G'morning, Newt! I haven't updated in awhile, so here's a little Newt Overload to start your morning off right. ( Newt gets a snack )

Why so serious, Newt? And here's a bunch of other, blurry photos. I keep forgetting that I actually have to focus this camera. :P

( Read more... )

I'm salvaging photos from the old camera, and we're long overdue for a Newt Overload. And now, a break from all the politics:



( Newt's First Peanut )

I got to carve my very first jack-o-lantern this year. Never got to before because my mom thought pumpkins were nasty. I drew the face, and my husband carved it! :D We played with the pumpkin shell, and Newt got to play with the pumpkin innards. ( Halloween Fun )

I like to rearrange Newt's cage every now and then to keep her from getting bored with her surroundings. Last week, when I cleaned Newt's cage, I decided to rearrange it a little to make it more interesting. I came up with a layout that gives her a little more floor space, and better utilizes the upper levels.



It also gives Newt opportunity for exploration and exercise, as she now has to climb to get food. ( Newt explores the new set-up )

We finally waged war on the flea this morning, and Newt was caught in the crossfire. Kris and I would try to catch it every time we had Newt out, but it was too fast and Newt was too wiggly. So we finally bought some spray, and today, we waged war on the flea. Newt was not too happy about this.

First, We built a pen on our countertop with some boxes of Magic cards. (Boy, that's something you don't hear everyday.) Newt was excited at first, because she likes new places.



( Newt vs The Spray vs The Flea vs Aliens vs Predator )

Newt has a flea. A single, solitary flea. Every time I take her out of her house, there it is, but it dives right into her fur before I can grab it. Newt wiggles too much for me to get the flea, so I will be getting her some hamster-friendly flea powder.

We have varmints, too. Exterminators came today to get rid of some termites in our house. I packed up Baylor, Newt, and Newt's flea and took them to my mother's house until the fumes clear.

Who's that playin' peekaboo in the covers? Sneaky little hamster with a carrot!



( I'm not hidin' nothing! )

And other cuteness! We're getting rain again. And when it rains, we get frogs. ( FRAWG! )

I cooked yellow squash last week, and I made sure to set aside a piece for Newt. And Newt... was very uncertain of this new food. I set the dish down in front of Newt, and she spent a good amount of time sniffing the air. What was it? Was it edible? She wasn't sure she wanted to investigate.



( Newt vs Yellow Squash )

Newt-1, Squash-0

The pet store next to our shop is going out of business, and I helped myself to quite a few items at half off. Nothing for Baylor, sadly, but I got a nice aquarium light timer for when I finally get a tank set up again, a wooden hutch and some chewies for Newt. Today, I cleaned Newt's cage and rearranged things to include the new items. Newt passed the time by rolling around in her ball and getting stuck between two boxes. *facepalm*

Newt was happy when I came to her rescue, and was all hyper when she got back in her cage. But then, she had a very visible WTF moment. "Where's my stuff?!"



( Newt panics )

Newt was being adorably active this morning, so I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures. ( a brief Newt Overload )

After nearly a month of separation, I finally got my babies back Sunday. Newt and Baylor are home! Nootle-Doot and Judge Budgie have returned to the fold. I took advantage of my camera's current good behavior and snapped a few photos.

Newt and Baylor are in the office, hanging out with all the books. They've got plenty of room, and this set-up will allow me to easily clean their cages.



Baylor is enamored with the curtains. And Newt... looks very different from the last time I took photos of her.

( Fuzzball )

After much work and fuss, we got all of the fume-producing renovation in our house completed. We gave the paint and polyurethane a few days to clear, and today, Newt and Baylor joined us in our new home.

We got everything cleared out in the office, and I lined the long shelf in front of the window and brought over Baylor and Newt. I have my babies back! Newt's hair has gotten soooo long and wispy. And Baylor was a little butt and would. not. get. out. of his cage. You'd think he'd be ecstatic about getting out of that tiny cage we had to keep him in at my mother's house, but no. He was perfectly happy to just sit there. Silly bird.

My husband and I have bought a house, and it needs a lot of repairs. While we're messing with paint and other fume-producing products, Newt and Baylor will be staying at my mother's house. I hope renovation doesn't take too long!