Chummy

Some of you know that I have a pet hamster. My family calls her Chummy, but my students call her Athena. I bought her for my students to own as a class pet, but I take care of her on the weekends and holidays. Most likely my sister will keep her after this school year is over.

Today, as I was leaving work, I went to say goodbye to Chummy when I noticed a deep, reddish puncture on the side of her upper body. The hole even parted her fur so the hole is quite visible. It freaked me out and I brought her home earlier than usual in the week.

Is this what parents of a sick child feels like? My sister will take her to the vet tomorrow, but this is the first time we've had to take her in. I've removed the metal wheel that I gave her to run on because the axle seemed to be the same size as that hole on the side. Now she's got a hamster ball in her cage and she's running around in it as I type this. In fact, my whole family is watching her right now. At least the puncture doesn't seem to affect how Chummy goes about her usual business. Or maybe she's so dumb she doesn't know that she's hurt.

Beloved pets become an essential part of the family. They bring great joy and companionship. What is this bond that some of us have with animals? I'm not saying that we all have to be like Steve Irwin, but somehow God found a way for us to connect with these so-called lesser beings. Or maybe we're not all that different from other animals God has created, hence the deep connection we have with our pets?

It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese. ~~ Carl Sagan