Zippy went to play with the angels this afternoon, after several weeks of slowly declining physical ability. We were able
to hold her often, helping her to re-gain body heat, since she was eating & exercising less often. She has always liked
music & we played quite a few of her favorites.
Zippy was a very special "Little Diva" during her two years with us. Fuzzy
For a dear little soul without the English language, she sure was able to get her point across. But she made adaptions,
too. Although hamsters are usually nocturnal (actually crepuscular), if we disturbed her during the day she would extend a foot, as if to say, "Talk to the
Foot!". That meant she was alive, but comfortably sleeping, and would we mind returning later? If we persisted, she was
willing to rouse herself to be entertained, exercised and fed! ;-)
Tissue boxes lined with strips of tp or facial tissue became her favorite nesting box, which she kept very neat, often
helping Lor with the cleaning chores. She was a master of packing, filling a mouth pouch to her knees, then looking about
for more to cram in. If a large morsel was a bit too long, out it came to be shortened by two bites, then back in the
"basket". She learned to count when she came over to get her peanut reward from me - nearly always three peanuts. If I
stopped at two, she wouldn't leave, but would keep looking from me to my hand, "Well, Dad?"
She often paused to listen to music, sometimes for 5-6 minutes. While classical selections were often her favorites, such
as "Flower Duet" from the "Lakmé" opera, composed by Leo Delibes, she also liked many pop songs as well, such as Red Rover
by Rosie Thomas. We could never find a pattern to the instruments or sounds of the ones that pleased her, she just liked
what she liked.
We're glad we could ease her transition, and she is sorely missed!"
Keo & the Wench
Saturday, Mar 8, 2008
Lor was holding her when she left.
(a Golden) had taught us the basics of "Understanding Hamsters - 101", so
we were able to learn quickly as Zippy (a Fancy) explained how it was to be! 
Zippy's
Photo 
Zippy's Puzzle -
More Zippy pages:
Explorer!
Bed & Board
Hamster Links