This is not a food related post. It’s going to be a long-winded one. Skip this if you’re not interested.
As I’ve mentioned, my darling hamsters are part of the reasons why I set up this blog, although it’s mainly a food blog. Till now, I really, really regret to only share pictures and stories of them when they were gone. This post no doubt is to commemorate my beloved Kimchi, who left me 2 days before Chinese New Year.
I love the rest of them no less, but Kimchi shares a very special bond with me. You can say it’s a love and hate relationship. We had tissue tug-of-war, massage sessions, hide-and-seek, etc. The countless things destroyed by her multiple chewing, escaping from her tank to see the world out there. Visiting Mikosan for a good fight twice, leaving an undesirable wound on her face, which healed completely later.
Being the most active of them all, a trait inherited from their mother Butterscotch(also Mikisan’s mother), Kimchi is always ready to come out for some fun. Whether she’s sleeping or running on her wheel, once my hand goes in, she will eagerly hop onto my hand. She even clings on to my hands even though I am not bringing her out. She’s affectionate, as well as kaypoh(a word which means inquisitive). She allows me to stroke her even when she’s sleeping, but she will wake up and acknowledge my presence by affectionately rubbing her head against my hands. I sometimes call her the kaypoh queen, because she’s always so curious and determined to find out what my pair of hands are doing, be it holding on to something, or clearing her potty. When I call the others, she will think that I’m calling her.
Kimchi trying to get up my pants
Kimchi chasing after a stick. What a messy desk, how embarrassing….
When it comes to food, she’s adventurous. She’s always the one who readily eats whatever new food I introduced. And did I tell you, she loves durian? It’s an acquired taste. The other hamsters ran away upon sniffing the durian, pushing my hands away (just like how some tourists react when they were offered durians when they come to Singapore).
Why the special bond? She made me feel special on the day she died. I got a friend to board her for almost 2 weeks as I was going away for a short trip. She was getting old, not as active and was skinnier. The day I passed her to my friend, I can sense that she was restless. The night I was back in Singapore, I received the bad news that she might not be able to make it. I rushed down to fetch her home. Her condition got worse the day I left Singapore. She couldn’t eat any solid food anymore. Friends prayed hard that she hanged on till I get back. They told her to wait for me. And she did.
I brought her back to spend her last moments with me. I could hardly sleep that night. She could still respond to me calling her name. She was weak but was still aware of what’s going on around her. There was a moment when she climbed up my hand, indicating that she wants to come out. I held on to her. She struggled. She wanted to walk about on the ground, like she always do. I put her back to a small carrier but she tried so hard to come out of the tank. I let her out onto the ground, she scampered around for a while.
Just before she was gone, she called out so loud. I had never heard any of my hamster does that before. It’s not a squeaking sound they usually made. I don’t know if she was in pain or she was calling out to me. I rushed to her, stroking her, hoping to ease her discomfort, asking her what was wrong. She quietened down. I continued stroking her. I told her, “Kimchi, it’s ok. Just let go.” She was gone a few minutes later.
Up till her last moments, I can feel her love for me. Tears still welds up when I recalled these moments. It’s a bond that can never be replaced. It’s amazing how these litter critters can make you feel. Their innocent expressions and funny ethics, they never fail to cheer me up. Kimchi, you will be greatly missed.
This is the year of the Rat. Many people are buying golden hamsters for good luck. Please DO NOT buy them on impulse. Be responsible, and do not abandon them when you get tired of them. At least, find them a good home. Every year, there are so many abandoned hamsters. You’ll be shocked how heartless and irresponsible some humans are, leaving the hamsters to fend for themselves. Parents, please do educate your children to be responsible for their pets. A pet is for life. Please be kind to them.
What a lengthy post, I apologized if I’ve bored you.
This is a very touching post, tears well up my eyes after reading it I’m sorry about Kimchi’s passing, she sounds like an amazingly sweet and tame darling! I’m glad that she had you as a owner and that she left you with fond memories. She will always live on in your heart and she’s now no longer in pain, in a better place, maybe happily playing with Jassiez and all our past hamsters.
Tears came pouring down my cheeks when I read this! I’m sorry to hear about Kimchi’s passing. Her antics are so cute and lovable (especially the pants video)! And such an adventurous eater! She had a good life with you, didally! It’s clear she loved you as much as you did her. Amazing how she hung on til you came back and also called out to you loudly just as she was going. The bond between human and animal can be so strong it defies explanation. Rest in peace, Kimchi.
I’m so sorry… I used to have pet mice when I was much younger, and I saw so much of them in Kimchi, it really is hard when they pass on. It’s wonderful that you have these videos though, and all the wonderful memories that accompany them. I’m glad that you did take them time to write about this, because it’s something important to you, and it’s your blog after all. Thank you for sharing, I hope the pain eases soon.
Sorry to hear about Kimchi. But I could always empathize with those who feel strongly for their pets. I have gone through the same thing many many many years ago when my pet Shih Tzu was gone. A sudden mention of him during a school-industrial attachment then could make me burst in tears! Gosh, I was sitting by myself then and only my classmate saw me in “bad shape”. Now I have doggies back in Singapore and when I am overseas, I will sob secretly whenever I miss them.
So I know.
I have not finished all the videos yet but I will. Hope you get over this soon. Time will heal.
I used to have many pet hamsters. My uncle gave me 3 and we found out later 2 of them were pregnant. So you can imagine how many little hamsters we had. We bought many cages to house them. The male ones can’t live in the same cage; they will fight till they bleed.
Well, all of them had left us. We decided not to have anymore because each time they leave us, it was so heart breaking. We even brought them to the vet. There was a couple that got cancer, according to the vet. One was out to sleep. Another was not because the vet said he was still very active. Ah Boy, even when he was sick, was still running around. His fur dropped till he was almost furless, yet he was still running around. Seeing him cling on to life so dearly made me treasure my life more. He was a cute hamster, always trying to escape from his cage. Cute thing was he never run round the house, he was always moving around the other hamster cages, looking for his sisters. :p
How I miss them………..so I really know how you feel. I also had rabbits who passes away. At the moment, I haven’t got the courage to have another pet.
This is really very sad. Can feel your pain as I read this post. One of the reasons that I do not wish to have pets is also due to this reason. I cannot imagine how I will become if something bad happen. Admire your courage and patience.
Hello, I stumbled upon your blog somehow and am very impressed with your great cooking and photos. What touched me most is this post. I used to have 2 hamsters too, Muffin and Brownie, simply apples of my eyes. Muffin is so closely linked to me, so I can understand the affection between you and Kimchi. Muffin waited for me too and he seemed to understand well that I love him. Till now, thoughts of Muffin still brings tears to my eyes, but I know that I’ll be reunited with them in heaven. My little furries are having angel wings now. I wish you peace in your heart and may the sweet memories remain, cos I’m sure that Kimchi can still feel you. =*)
I was just looking for pictures of kimchee for something I’m working on. And lo and behold, someone who loves both hamsters and food! Like me. How sad, but just think! Kimchi had a one of a kind life full of adventure thanks to a great owner like you. I cried so hard when each of my hamsters passed; it doesn’t matter how small the creature, it humbles us as humans and makes us think of life and death, and how we need to treasure life and love. Thanks for sharing, and hopefully Kimchi is playing with my pets in hamster heaven.
Annita, there’s actually a few bloggers who love food and hamsters just like us. Yes, I treasure my time with them. Thanks for your comforting words, really appreciate it.
Hello! I also had two hamsters, that I really love. It’s really cute and very nice animals when you take good care of them. See ya (sorry for my unperfect english)
I’m sorry about Kimchi’s passing, she sounds like an amazingly sweet and tame darling! I’m glad that she had you as a owner and that she left you with fond memories. She will always live on in your heart and she’s now no longer in pain, in a better place, maybe happily playing with Jassiez and all our past hamsters.
