Learn From My Mistakes, Part II

When I was eight years old, my parents allowed me to get a pet hamster. Because the little guy was a Teddy Bear hamster, I named him Teddy (as you may recall from my February 9th entry, my childhood talent for creative names baffles the mind).

After living in a cage in my bedroom for a couple of months, Teddy began to build a cozy nest of wood shavings in preparation for winter. When the weather outside got cold, Teddy curled up in his nest and began to hibernate.

It didn't take long for me to grow bored with watching my pet in his perpetually dormant state. After a few weeks, I asked my mother how long hamsters usually hibernate for. Mom didn't know, but she agreed to satisfy my curiosity by taking me to a pet shop where we could make an inquiry.

"How long," my mother asked the girl at the pet shop, "do hamsters usually hibernate for?"

The girl looked down at me, looked back at my mother, and then answered us.

Interesting Animal Fact of the Day: Hamsters are not supposed to hibernate.

 

R.I.P. Teddy

You will hibernate on in my heart forever.