Button

[ilguy]

I got Button out of his main burrow, gently removed bedding until he climbed onto my hand. Started with a glove on but didn't need it, he was super nice and well behaved the entire time. He let me hold him and get a good look at his sides and belly. Not a single bite, and a few licks to ask me to stop.

There is a line of tissue with less fur along the bones on his shoulder. It looked very different than when he was squished against the bin. More like a jagged streak than a round blob. I took him to the vet down the street and it's apparently scar tissue from an old injury when he was young. It's more visible now that he's grown. He's totally fine, his dexterity is good with that arm and he sure showed me with a display on the wheel after I set him down. He took a treat from me and talked a ton. He also came up with a new move, he fits through the small window on his castle hide. I wish I had a picture of him sticking his head out, it was adorable.

He is a very nice ham every time I've been able to with him, hopefully this doesn't peeve him for too long. He did respond well to the scatter feeding, parked and munched what he found on the way back.

 

[elusive]

That’s really good to hear, glad it went so well & now you don’t need to worry.
What a lovely little ham he is, he took it all really well by the sound of it, Chinese hamsters very rarely bite and he sounds pretty calm about everything too.

 

[Member ID2]

Glad to hear that everything is well with Button.

 

[ilguy]

That’s really good to hear, glad it went so well & now you don’t need to worry.
What a lovely little ham he is, he took it all really well by the sound of it, Chinese hamsters very rarely bite and he sounds pretty calm about everything too.

He is an absolute sweetheart! I was actually a bit worried after, his behavior has been the dead opposite all day since coming home. He's been out the entire time while I'm still up. I'm overthinking it, and will have to see what the next few days are like with him. A new enclosure & vet trip in one week is a lot.

I did slightly tighten the wheel and found his butter zone. He's been ecstatic about that, going on it nearly constantly for past couple hours. He isn't scurrying away from me anymore, he's looked for me a few times and will approach now. Took two cashew slices from me, still nervous a bit but the curiosity is suddenly there.

 

[RainbowBrite]

You did so well to do a health check on Button and how lovely Button trusts you to allow you to check him over. It is good to know there is nothing wrong with him and it is the scar of an old injury. Lucky Button you found him.

 

[Frida]

Lovely to hear Button is doing well

 

[Member ID2]

What is a butter zone?
English isn't my native tongue and i still come across the odd expression i haven't heard before.

Back to Button. It will be interesting to see how he'll interact with you in the future. It is always very helpful for a human to be able to offer something a hamster wants, like cashew. Must go and get some mixed, plain nuts now.

 

[Maz]

I haven't heard of butter zone either - but I'm guessing it;s the same as soft spot? Really glad to hear it went ok and nothing amiss.

 

[elusive]

That’s quite a change in him after all that! They do often disappear for a while in a new cage or upgrade while they’re making themselves at home but it sounds as though he’s really settled now, I’m sure his confidence & your bond will continue to grow now too.

 

[ilguy]

Yeah, you could say it's a soft spot, or the sweet spot. It's a skiing term, the butter zone is the best spot on a ski to do a "butter": Nose Butter

I woke up to find Button has done some more remodeling, he's built up the area behind his wheel and sand bath. But I'm super happy to see he's returned to his old burrow before bed time, he popped out of a new exit. He was spending a lot of time on the wheel and in a corner, I was worried for a while he'd be afraid to return to it. And wow was he on that wheel, nearly six hours of him going on it! He is absolutely loving the speed it's at.

Also got a hastily filmed clip of him taking a cashew from me, he was pawing at the bin and was okay with it. Sorry for the quality and voice, was a surprise and was pretty sick all week.

Back to the Burrow!
All the zooms
Rare Interaction

 

[Maz]

I love Button! His little head popping up there. You have a lovely hamster there and he seems to really enjoy his enclosure.

 

[Frida]

So cute when Button popped his head up. Made me giggle.

 

[elusive]

Loved watching little Button emerge from his burrow & it’s so cute when he takes the food from your hand, lovely to see him interacting with you more now.

 

[ilguy]

I was honestly expecting him to return to being a ghost hamster, and he didn't come out all day. He did chat with me a bit, and gave me the biggest surprise! He actually came out to his name before I went to bed, we had a lovely little interaction.

It meant the world to me, and you can really see how long he's gotten. Thank you guys so much for all the positivity, he's such a nice ham.

Also, I use a red light for the lamp in his area after learning that hamsters don't see red. But here's what I caught on film: Button Greeting!!!

 

[elusive]

That is such a lovely video, I love the way you interact with him & his little face when he looks up at you is so cute.
He’s lucky to have such a caring owner.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Button has really bonded with you! It is wonderful he will take food from you. That is a huge step for him. Your gentle patience has paid off.

Sorry to hear you are unwell. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Maz]

It's a lovely video! He is really interacting nicely and doesn't seem scared. Seeing his tail reminded me of a quirk chinese hamsters can have, which is to wrap their tail around your finger and cling on. A bit more patience and progress with handling and maybe you will experience that

 

[Member ID2]

Lovely to see Button interacting with you like that.

 

[ilguy]

As best I can guess it, today is button's 1st birthday. I made him a hamster safe cake, which is mostly almond flour & some cream cheese. I did a terrible job cutting it, and still left it a bit big. Here was his reaction to it: Birthday Cake

He is no longer a ghost hamster, comes out whenever he wants now. Sometimes he will get up first thing in the morning to say hi. Often he prefers alone time.

I'm still learning his vocalizations since he's out now, and I think I have his "leave me alone" down. He also does what sounds like a little cry/chirp when he wants me to come over.

 

[elusive]

Aww! Happy Birthday Button