Blossom 🌸

[ilguy]

I’ve noticed it’s getting harder for her to get into her dig box. I think the time has come to rearrange/simplify her cage for her to make it easier to get around. It won’t quite all be on one level as she can still get up to her platform, but I’m planning to take out some of her platforms and bring her favourite things down to a lower level. I’m working tomorrow but have a day off the day after, so plan to do it then. I don’t want to upset her by doing a big reshuffle, but hopefully she’ll be happy if she can get around more easily…and I can always appease her with a bowl of porridge

After being with you for so long, I find hams are quicker to understand there's a purpose behind what you're doing and are less stressed compared to changes when they were young. I bet she will be happy once she figures it out.

I adjusted Henry's wheel last night, when he was younger that would have been a tantrum! Now he just tried it out and immediately demanded "ups" for some together time.

 

[Maz]

I hope the adjustments meet with her approval . I’m sure they will - because she knows you’re helping and making it easier. I bet she’s very pleased.

 

[Hammy Chum]

I’ve noticed it’s getting harder for her to get into her dig box. I think the time has come to rearrange/simplify her cage for her to make it easier to get around. It won’t quite all be on one level as she can still get up to her platform, but I’m planning to take out some of her platforms and bring her favourite things down to a lower level. I’m working tomorrow but have a day off the day after, so plan to do it then. I don’t want to upset her by doing a big reshuffle, but hopefully she’ll be happy if she can get around more easily…and I can always appease her with a bowl of porridge

Is she 3 did I see? Obviously such a happy and loved ham!

 

[Lovelyness]

Is she 3 did I see? Obviously such a happy and loved ham!

Ah, no…she had her 3rd gotcha day. She is 2 years and 4 months old…still happy and loved

 

[Lovelyness]

Blossom had her big cage change today!
I thought it would take me a while to change everything about, so I made sure I put her snooze cube in her carrier so she could have a nice snooze while I was busy with her cage. Well, she did have a snooze…but in her own bed I’m amazed she slept through the whole thing, only coming out when I put her food out!!

 

[Lovelyness]

Before and after photos…
NB it’s quite an old before photo as I forgot to take one!

 

[Lovelyness]

I’ve only removed her 2 taller platforms, then rearranged things so that the most important things to her are most accessible. Blossom’s favourite things are 1) her dig box and 2) doing circuits round her enclosure.
I have made a false floor in her dig box using cardboard, with bedding packed in underneath, so not only can she get in it more easily using the ‘steps’ I have placed nearby, but she can also get out more easily.
I have placed steps and tunnels around her enclosure which allows her to do various circuits. She can still get up her ramp to the grey platform. There’s a tunnel under the wooden platform so she can go over or under.
I moved her water bottle down to the bottom. I think the stand it is on came with her Savic Rolly wheel. It has a nice stable base, so it won’t topple over.
I lowered the grey platform too so that the ramp from the lower platform wasn’t too steep.
I tried to leave things as much as possible in a similar location, but unavoidably had to move some things. She is familiar with everything in her enclosure tho.
There is still the option of moving everything to cage floor level later on if needed.

 

[Lovelyness]

Blossom has been checking out her newly rearranged enclosure. She has been exploring everything, running round everywhere, checking out her routes. She has been in her dig box several times, which she can now get in and out of really easily. She seems quite happy with it. I’m so pleased that it seems to work for her. I have made a couple of tweaks here and there to make sure everything is easily accessible

 

[Lovelyness]

Aww..Blossom has just had a really long dig in her dig box, foraging for goodies. I had been a bit concerned that by making it shallower, it wouldn’t be very satisfying for her. When I emptied it out tho to put the false bottom in, there was actually quite a bit of food in there which she hadn’t been able to forage, I’m guessing because it was harder for her to get in and out. So, it was so lovely to see her enjoying a long play in her dig box this evening. She was sitting in there foraging and nibbling away It’s always been her favourite thing in her enclosure, so I’m really glad to see her enjoying it fully again

 

[Maz]

Love that photo of her in her dig box . I’m sure she’ll be happy if it makes it easier for her now.

 

[Socks' Mum]

 

[ilguy]

I love the picture with her investigating the climbing platforms! Did she get any special treats for being so good?

 

[Lovelyness]

I love the picture with her investigating the climbing platforms! Did she get any special treats for being so good?

She had a bowl of porridge

 

[Socks' Mum]

Socks is getting porridge on a spoon now. It should help him now it's getting colder. He gives it a good nibble during the night

 

[Lovelyness]

Socks is getting porridge on a spoon now. It should help him now it's getting colder. He gives it a good nibble during the night

Blossom is really enjoying her porridge too

 

[Coco61]

Looks like she is one very happy Blossom

 

[Tulsi]

I love the before and after shelf pics showing her enthusiasm for all her accessories. If I get a hamster again I am definitely going to make a lovely dig box.

 

[Lovelyness]

I love the before and after shelf pics showing her enthusiasm for all her accessories. If I get a hamster again I am definitely going to make a lovely dig box.

Ever since I added the dig box, it's been her top favourite thing! She also has always been a real chewer, so plenty of things to chew on. Now she's older, she is preferring softer things to chew on.

 

[Lovelyness]

I have some very sad news to share

Blossom suddenly became unwell over the past 48 hours, and was pts this morning at 11 am. The vet confirmed that she had a gut obstruction, and that nothing could have been done for her.

This has happened suddenly, and comes as a bit of a shock, as she was still happy and active just 3 days ago. The photos I posted just a week ago show how happy and active she still was. She was 2 years and 4 months old today.

She has been a good little friend and companion over the past couple of years, and will be very much missed, with all her funny ways and antics.

Rest in peace my sweet Cherry Blossom

 

[Lovelyness]

Blossom has been laid to rest in the woodland part of my garden, amongst the pink cyclamen, under the birdbath, under the cherry tree so that she will be surrounded by snowdrops, bluebells and pink cherry blossom in the Spring