W/W - Life without Hammie

Now that Hammie is gone, Oreo is obviously enjoying the unrivaled attention that's lavished upon her though I'm quite sure she misses her hamster pally more that she cares to show.

When we first brought Oreo back from the pet shop, she used to love visiting Hammie's cage. As soon as the cage door was opened, she would hop in and snuggle up against Hammie.

The two were inseparable. We had to pry her from Hammie to get her back into her own cage

Then jealousy got the better of her though there was plenty of love to go round. She started to pounce and nip on Hammie. Ever the gentleman who never once bit back, the long-suffering hamster would let out a loud 'the fat pig is bullying again' squeak so we tended to 'punish' Oreo for her bad behaviour by smacking her lightly on her butt. Then Hammie decided to get even. He tricked us by employing the said squeak even when Oreo was nowhere near, knowing that we'd immediately rush to his aid, resulting in the 'butt-smack' chastisement. Angered by the unwarranted punishment, Oreo would protest by chattering loudly (teeth chattering is a sound guinea pigs make when they are angry or upset). Ah! Revenge is sweet!
How many times the wily old hamster had deceived us, we didn't know but as soon as we found out, Oreo was no longer allowed to visit Hammie. The rivalry between them was becoming too intense and besides, Hammie's health was deteriorating and he needed to rest undisturbed.

When Hammie died, we placed Oreo near him, curious to see her reaction. She started to groom his lifeless body, something she hadn't done for a very long time. I guess she did care for her old buddy after all.

Joe Bagley - Paper Silhouettes

These life-like silhouettes are hand-cut by Boston artist Joe Bagley from a single piece of black paper using only an X-Acto knife. Amazing, isn't it?

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

A Mother's Love

Here's a touching e-mail forward to share.


On a dusty and dangerous road in New Delhi, a baby monkey was struck by a moped while scavenging for food, a common sight in the busy Indian capital. Nearby, a street dog was ready for the easy kill.

Mother Monkey snatching her baby out of harm's way

She then fought off the dog who wanted her baby for dinner


Dog realized Mother Monkey meant business and slinked away

A passerby captured this pics and posted them to an internet photo site.

Ah! a mother's love. Some humans could learn from it!

Sandhi Schimmel Gold

Klio

These mosaic portraits are created by Arizona-based artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold from the everyday waste delivered to her mailbox. Everything is hand-cut, hand-applied, hand-embellished and hand-finished.

Marilyn Monroe

Jackie O

Frank Sinatra

John Lennon

Elvis

Twiggy

Grace Kelly, Princess Grace

Mc Cartney

Ed Bing Lee - Macramé Food

Layered Cake

Philadelphia based artist Ed Bing Lee uses basic macramé knots to create these delish food-inspired objects. Lee has perfected the art for over 25 years. He names his project 'The Delectable Series'.

Cherry Cake

Hot Dog

Strawberry Cake

Key Lime Pie

Ice Cream Cone

Pumpkin Pie

Cupcake

Burger

Pop Corny