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Monday, May 23, 2011

W/W - In Memory Of Nugget


"Love looks not its own depth until the hour of separation" - Khalil Gibran

Nugget, our beloved pet hamster passed on a week ago. The boys named him Nugget but he was always 'Hammie' to me. He was loved by all the neighbourhood kids especially a little girl, S, who would often 'borrow' him home to play with him. S has been visiting and scattering flowers on his grave everyday since.

Hammie was almost 2 years old when he died. And that's really old in hamster years. Dwarf hamsters have an average life span of 18 months. He had cataract in both eyes and a huge tumor under his mouth - something that's not uncommon in rodents.
It was hard watching him go. There was nothing we could do except to hold him close, washing him with our tears while we took turns to comfort and stroke his fur until he breathed his last. In a way, I am glad that he was relieved from his suffering. It was heartbreaking having to witness his health deteriorate over time. When he was near his end, he could hardly walk, wobbling on his side, relying solely on his sense of smell as he was almost blind.

Goodbye Hammie! We miss you ! And thank you for your unconditional love and bringing so much joy in our life.

Hammie (September 2009 - 16th May 2011)


"If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place no one else could fill. If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane. I'd walk the path to Heaven and bring you back again. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us back one by one, the chain will link again."

Author Unknown



Gifts and messages left behind by the neighbourhood kids



Isn't it funny, how a creature this small can leave an empty space that big in the hearts of so many?

The kids made a fan page for Nugget. They'll be most happy if you could 'like' their page - http://www.oreoandnugget.co.cc
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28 comments:

  1. mom in romeMay 23, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    soo cute!
    I m sorry !
    I am also sure he's in a great place now.

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  2. UnknownMay 23, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Veronica, I'm so sorry for the loss of Nugget. You gave him a happy life and that was such a lovely tribute. What a blessing to have known him. Hugs to you and your boys.

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  3. UnknownMay 23, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    Tears can't bring him back but he knows he was a great companion to all.

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  4. whiteyMay 23, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Love the little notes that were left!

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  5. L.May 23, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. I hope your children are coping well.

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  6. LinMay 23, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    OH NO!! I'm soooo sorry, Veronica (and kids)! I know the loss of those little buddies and how it just aches so when they are gone. They are the sweetest little pets and they just never live long enough, do they?

    I'm sending love, hugs, and prayers for you all in this difficult time. It just hurts so darn bad. :(

    I finally had to quit getting hamsters because I cried so hard when they died. And they never die a quick, easy death--and that makes it all the harder.

    Love to you all.....

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  7. Kelly LMay 23, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Hi - I am asking for fellow bloggers to visit my site in hopes that we can find a match for a young girl that desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. Would be great if you could visit today too. Thank you. Kelly
    http://ivebecomemymother.blogspot.com/2011/05/help-save-child-urgent-request.html
    I've Become My Mother
    I've Become My Mother facebook

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  8. chocolatecovereddaydreams.blogspot.comMay 23, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    That breaks my heart. In fact, I have tears in my eyes right now. I know how much Nugget meant to all of you. I lost Sam two weeks ago and I'm still crying and missing him.

    When I was a kid, my sis and I had a hamster named Hammie too. He also died but it was because he chewed on some electrical wires.

    I love the tribute that is being paid for Nugget/Hammie. I hope the precious memories will brings smiles to everyone's faces.

    I'm heading over to the tribute page.

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  9. StephMay 24, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Oh, V... I am so sorry for your loss. :( That is so sad.. but the pictures are so sweet!!!! the neighborhood children must be so sad. but what a great memorial for him!!!

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  10. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Veronica, I loved your line "washing him with our tears". It says it all. When my dog died, I cried for three days. It was like one of my children had died--heartbreaking. Thinking of you,
    Rosemary

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  11. Mimi NMay 24, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    So sorry for your loss of Nugget. He was so adorable. Those are such cute photos!!

    ~Mimi

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  12. KateMay 24, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Oh so cute, and how wonderful that so many kids had the pleasure of playing with him!

    Am sorry that he's gone.

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  13. AnonymousMay 24, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Oh, thats so sad. Poor little guy! I hope your kids are taking it ok.

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  14. A Maui BlogMay 24, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    oh sweet little nugget memorial post... OK I'd go to FB and will like ..

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  15. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    What a great memory of this loss

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  16. The Mummy HatMay 25, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    Awww, porr Nugget, what an adorable little fella.
    Hope the kids are doing okay without him.

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  17. LoriMay 25, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    So sorry to hear about Nugget. He's so adorable! I went and liked their page.

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  18. Liz MaysMay 25, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    I'm sorry. :( What a sweet way to honor that little furry friend.

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  19. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to CookMay 25, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    I'm so sorry for the loss of your little Nugget.He certainly touched many, the sweet little guy.

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  20. mryjhnsnMay 25, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    This is ridiculously cute and sad all at the same time... I guess that would be a great analogy for life, as well. Sorry for your loss.

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  21. ~ NoelleMay 25, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    oh honey, i am so sorry for your loss...
    heading over to like their page!
    hugs to y ou

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  22. Kristi {at} Live and Love...Out LoudMay 25, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    What a sweet tribute to Hammie/Nugget! I love that he's got such a beautiful grave for the kids to visit.

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  23. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Awww.... Looks like Nugget had a wonderful life, and that's what's important!

    Thanks for linking up!

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  24. I am HarrietMay 25, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Oh poor Nugget.... ;(

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  25. Stacy UncorkedMay 25, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Awwwww! Poor little Nugget! May he rest in peace - he was obviously well loved. ((HUGZ!!))

    WW: Dinosaur & Dragon Conga Drama

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  26. Personalized Sketches and SentimentsMay 25, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Aw! I agree, what a sweet tribute to Hammie/Nugget! He did touch the lives of the boys and their friends. How sweet that you all let S "borrow" him too :o)

    Blessings & Aloha!
    ...just wanted to stop by and say hello! Work this week has been long and busy, so not much blog time for me...I don't think I can manage to even get my one post a week up this week!

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  27. MerylMay 25, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    I am sorry for your loss. I will visit the page. It's nice you all have each other to love.

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  28. Becky JaneMay 27, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Hamster heaven must be a fun place now that Nugget is there...

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