The damnster is back...

Update below:

I spent a lot of time in the basement yesterday looking for our errant hamster, hoping I'd hear something that would give me a clue as to its whereabouts. I called, "Neebles! Neebles!" I strummed the bars on the cage, a sound that would cause her to come to the bars and wait for seeds, but I got nothing. No response. I was truly worried that she was either deceased or had made a break for the great outdoors.

At first I was sad. Then I was getting angry. Stupid hamster!!! Doesn't she know there are things that can hurt her out here? We tend to get mice in our basement when the fall rolls around. They come in for warmth. There's leftover Decon somewhere in the utility room. I was so hoping she didn't eat it, but if she did, it served her right.

As the day progressed, I stopped calling for Neebles and starting referring to her as the "Damn Hamster"! By the end of the day, Damn Hamster had been replaced with the simple and to the point, Damnster! But inside, I was still hopeful.

Last night we put her cage on the floor with the door open and fresh snacks inside. I was hoping we didn't attract mice, but we had to give it a try. I woke up around 1am, unable to sleep. I figured I'd go downstairs and see if I could hear anything. Hamsters tend to be nocturnal. Maybe she was out and about. I turned on the light and looked down and there she was... asleep in the upper compartment of her cage, the space she uses for her bed. I went down to get a closer look, to make sure my eyes weren't fooling me, to make sure it wasn't some vagabond mouse looking for a free meal. Nope, it was Neebles... sound asleep next to a bounty of booty. The cage was full of a few more Polly Pocket items and a slew of glittery craft beads.

I checked the door, it seemed to be pretty well closed, but I didn't want to take any chances. I found a little piece of wire and twisted through the door and the frame. Neebles is done shopping for now. Neebles is done cavorting in the basement. Neebles is back to being a pet. I'll let her enjoy her ill-gotten booty for a bit, but the cage gets cleaned out later today. I wonder what all I'll find.

Update:

I cleaned out the cage. Right next to her "bed" was a truly amazing stash of Polly Pocket paraphernalia. There was the tutu, fake Polly food, Polly shoes, Polly purses. On top of the Polly stash were numerous pretty beads. I had originally planned on hosing the stuff off and seeing if it was salvageable, but since it was in close proximity to the "bathroom", it all ended up in the garbage. I replaced the ill-gotten goods with wholesome snacks. I hope Neebles isn't too hacked off at me. Can you blame a gal for trying to liven up her pad? Can you blame her for trying to accessorize? I think not.

 

Comments

[blue girl]

That is *so* cute! That she gets all that Polly Pocket stuff. Too much.

"Damnster Neebles" -- sounds like royalty.

[Adorable Girlfriend]

Yeah!!!

I mentioned this whole fiasco to UC last night. We both were resigned to the fact of how the lamblets were going to take it when you found her stench.

I'm so glad we were wrong!!!

Now put a lock on that cage.

[billy pilgrim]

Precious little difference between hamster and mouse.

.....sorry.

Glad the little furry is back. Although I vote that he gets to keep his swag. After all, wasn't it just Pirate day? Maybe he was just out buckling his swash.

[Jennifer]

BG- I'm not even mentioning the royalty aspect to that rodent... she's got too much of a sense of entitlement already!

AG- I have to say, I was pretty resigned as well. I am glad I was wrong.

The cage does have a lock of sorts now. I'm thinking a different cage might be a better choice. This one had lots of bells and whistles, but is not very sturdy.

[Jennifer]

BP- you're right about there not being much difference between a mouse and the hamstare. As for the swag, I'd be tempted to let her keep it, but since I don't know how much of it is lead-tainted (!!!), I think it's coming out. I also don't want her gnawing on plastic, glittery beads. I'll give her a bit of carrot as a trade.

[The Uncanny Canadian]

HOOORAY!!!! Long live Nibbles.

As for hamster vs. mouse, you need to ask Pinko Punko to tell you the best story ever about a pet hamster(?) at the liquor store.

[Claire]

That is too fricking cute. Long live Nibbles, the greatest Damnster in all of Illinois!

[billy pilgrim]

I built my own pens for my guinea pigs.

(We needed larger rodents).

[Jennifer]

BP- do you ever consider the capybara?

[Chuckles]

That is just because you eat them, BP.

Where's my pie, Jennifer? You best uphold your part of the bargain.

[Jennifer]

I put it in the mail this morning, Chuckles. The envelope was looking a little mushy, but I think it'll make it.

[Adorable Girlfriend]

I can tell you a story about UC versus mouse. It involves his bravado and showing off for his new girlfriend.

Very cute story in many ways!

[Jennifer]

Well come on, AG! Pony up with the story!

[Brando]

This miraculous rescue must mean Neebles is God's Damnster.

[Jennifer]

You know Brando... last night when I went down to see if she was back, there were beams of radiant light emanating from her X-treme wheel! I thought it was due to its glow in the dark qualities... now I'm thinking I should go check her water bottle and make sure it's still water!

[blue girl]

Oh no. I just had a thought.

It's safe for Snag to come out and seriously "play," now that Damnster Neebles is no longer in jeapardy!

[Jennifer]

Sna-ag!! Din-ner!! :)

[mdhatter]

Hooray!

[blue girl]

jeopardy...

[blue girl]

Yeah, bp, I said jeopardy.

Now back off!

[Snag]

Precious little difference between hamster and mouse.

I disagree. Mice are usually a little gamier.

[Mary Jane]

The darn little prankster!!! He deserves to be the subject on a halloween cookie!!! or...Fresh baked damster pie perhaps...

[Damnster]

The world seems so empty now, all my pretty Polly Pocket gone. Pretty pretty Polly Pocket...

[Adorable Girlfriend]

Yeah, bp, I said jeopardy.

Now back off!

My girl. BG: You rock.

[Jennifer]

Damnster- I'm so sorry. Your place looked fab and I realize all of the work you'd gone to decorating it, however, Polly Pockets are manufactured in China and hamsters are known for gnawing. I just couldn't take the chance.

Your world will be bright again, but bright with fresh produce and varied seeds... no one wants a faux brightness based on lead m'dear... well, Barbie might, but I noticed you left her stuff alone.

[blue girl]

I cannot get over that Damnster Neebles just went for the Polly Pocket stuff.

I love it!! It's just too cute for words.

[almostinfamous]

hooray!

[Kathleen]

I agree BG. I am totally laughing at neebles love of the shiny polly pocket loot.