Lacey-Blossom

Well it has been so long since I wrote here regularly, that I missed the chance to introduce my lovely Lacey to you.  As always with our pets, I was heartbroken to lose wonderful Humphrey Hamster, but still I found myself in the pet shop and Lacey was with us for a very precious 19 months.  I thought I did everything right.. we were in the midst of getting the whole house spotless as Dan's girlfriend's parents were coming to ours for the first time.  But Lacey needed her nails and teeth checking.  So everything came to a stop.  I knew that if she became unwell, and I had delayed getting her checked, I would blame myself even if the illness was unrelated. 

A quick visit to our Vet and Lacey's nails were duly sorted and her teeth didn't really need much attention.  Happy in the knowledge I had done right by her, the manic cleaning and tidying resumed at full speed.  The parents' evening went well, wine and conversation was flowing, and I'm sure nextdoor could hear the laughter.  Lacey's cage was pretty much center stage in the living room and I looked forward to showing her off to our guests when we migrated in there to the comfy chairs. 

But the hours went by, midnight came and went, with no sign of Lacey wanting her playtime.  I knew her routine by the second, and I knew something wasn't right.  The next couple of weeks saw me trying to keep it together whilst we helped Dan with his University arrangements - attending the Open Day, accommodation viewing, and purchasing of utensils/provisions for his new stage of life - so proud but wasn't he just starting nursery the other day?? ... in between getting home at regular intervals to give Lacey her baby porridge.  I was losing her and I tried so hard not to.  I know hamsters don't live very long, I just didn't think we were that far down the line just yet.  The Vet said it was something neurological, but I have still turned myself inside out thinking was it something I did, or didn't do. 

I miss my pretty lady with the cheeky tummy.