Raffy (Syrian Hamster)

[Maz]

Raffy actually is very adorable He's quite independent but friendly at the same time - he comes running if I call him - he always walks into his taxi tube when he's out and about on the floor, if it's presented. He's incredibly active but very easy to manage really (I am remembering spending half the night trying to find another Syrian hiding somewhere eg). And he has a really chirpy cheeky responsive attitude. He doesn't ignore you (usually).

I get soft and emotional posting on his thread and everything else goes out of my head! As I'm sure we all do when posting about our individual hamsters. They are our babies!

 

[elusive]

Aww Raffy Such a sweet adorable (& mischievous!) little man.

 

[RainbowBrite]

That is so lovely Maz.

 

[Member ID2]

It shows how much you love Raffy.
He is a lovely and adorable boy who has blossomed in your care. Without you he wouldn't be the happy and healthy hamster he is today.

 

[Zara]

Raffy is adorable, so lovely he comes out when you call him, that’s super sweet. Great photos of his nesting area, it looks so cosy and his toilet area, very well organised Raffy, it’s so clever the way they build up all the substrate to make little dens.

 

[Maz]

Thank you Zara Yes it's always fascinating the nest creations they can make. Sensible to keep themselves warm in winter! I like the cosy ensuite toilet idea.

 

[Maz]

Raffy last night heading for the muckiest possible place in the room - the coal bucket. He has never actually attempted to climb into it though.

Also he just came out for a late afternoon drink looking sleepy and bleary eyed.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Hello beautiful Raffy.

 

[elusive]

What could possibly be more tempting than a coal bucket

That is a really lovely photo of him having a drink

 

[Member ID2]

It's only a matter of time and Raffy will reappear with a black face.

Very cute photo of a sleepy Raffy.

 

[Coco61]

Lovely couple of photos of Raffy. Coal dust on his face? That would have taken some frantic cleaning afterwards!

 

[Maz]

At least he doesn't seem interested in it - he is more interested in going underneath it and round the back of the TV to his Heath Robinson digging box. More of an obstacle course box. Just a box with some bits and pieces in. He also likes to sit for a wash behind the TV cupboard.

He's got very - what's the word - casually confident - about jumping in and out of his tube taxi. When he goes back to the cage he sort of attempts to jump out just a bit too early - as if challenging himself to get to the cage! So I have to move the tube further forwards quicker when I can see him about to exit.

 

[Maz]

It's nice when they're confident and relaxed though and everything is familiar.

 

[Maz]

It's only a matter of time and Raffy will reappear with a black face.

Very cute photo of a sleepy Raffy.

I think if I really thought he'd try to climb into it I'd move it out of the room I watched for that quite a lot at first but he has never shown any interest - sensible boy. Likewise he never goes on the hearth. The first time he ever free roamed he looked like he was going to climb onto it and I said NO! He stopped and looked at me and has never attempted it since. I think he really sensed that was not a safe thing to do! There is no fire lit by the way!

But it's still the muckiest bit of the room because the coal bucket is dusty etc.

 

[Member ID2]

Raffy listens to you unlike our lot here. How did you manage to get him to respond to the word NO? That is so unusual for a hamster. I think Raffy is very clever.

I just had visions of Lilly in the coal bucket.....

 

[Maz]

Raffy listens to you unlike our lot here. How did you manage to get him to respond to the word NO? That is so unusual for a hamster. I think Raffy is very clever.

I just had visions of Lilly in the coal bucket.....

I think it's unusual too and I was really quite surprised. Although Charlie used to listen to urgent sounding things as well. I think they do sense the urgency in your voice. So amazingly, despite a hearth and a coal bucket - he manages to stay clean

 

[Maz]

He spends about three quarters of his time out in his wheel and saucer and the other quarter roaming. And about a third of that quarter sitting behind the tv cabinet grooming

 

[Maz]

I've always said, I swear they understand what you're talking about! I do it instinctively as it's how we used to train dogs! Seems to have the same effect. Although mostly hamsters will do the opposite of what you say

 

[Member ID2]

I find that they do the opposite of what we expect them to do.

 

[Maz]

Raffy late last night at wash time on his shelf As if saying - what are you doing there?! Then went back to washing his feet. He is very good at washing the underside of his feet.