Wednesday, December 03, 2003
The bloodlust of Kim vs. The lovelust of Jim
Over two months ago Kelly and I discovered two hamsters abandoned in front of our apartment. Our hearts grew to the size of watermelons and we immediately rescued them and gave them a new home in my bedroom. Although both were male hamsters, I named one Kimberly and one Neechee. The two hamsters lived happily in their aquarium until the day that I left the top off of the cage. During the night, Neechee escaped and was part of a tragic accident involving a box fan. He bled to death on my rug.
I immediately went out to a pet store and bought myself a new hamster. He looked exactly like Neechee, yet I decided to name him Jim. The dude at the pet store warned me that the hamster that lives in the cage would most likely resent having a new hamster invade the dwelling. I felt so horrible about the death of Neechee that I went against his better judgement and purchased the little guy anyway.
The second I introduced Jim to Kimberly, a fight broke out. Kimberly attacked Jim and threw his sad little body all around the cage. It scared me at first and I did everything in my power to separate them whenever they started fighting. I did this for almost two months successfully. When I wasn’t at home, I am sure that they beat the shit out of each other, but I wasn’t there to see it, so it was easy to convince myself that it wasn’t happening.
The day before Thanksgiving, I found Jim and Kimberly snuggled up together in the corner of their cage. It warmed my heart and gave me hopes about their future. I gave them some Thanksgiving treats and went home to Albany.
Upon my return to NYC, I found Jim’s body torn about by claw marks. Kimberly must have spent the three days I was gone beating the fuck out of the poor little guy. The saddest part of the whole situation? Jim never fights back. All he does is sit there and put his hands up, eyes pleading for Kimberly to leave him alone. His mild mannered attitude just infuriated her more.
I was so sad by what I found, that I decided it was best to separate them for good. My parents were visiting, so they helped me to fashion a barrier inside the cage, making it impossible for them to get at each other. Wouldn’t you know it? They banged on the cage for hours, Jim doing his best to keep Kimberly on her own side. Late that night, I went to Paul’s and didn’t return for two days.
While I was gone, Kelly noticed that Kimberly had figured out a way to get to Jim. She created a new barrier and hoped that this would keep them away from each other. It didn’t work. Last night I went home to find Jim’s entire backside swollen and bleeding. Kimberly beat him so bad that Jim laid there gasping for breath. With tears in my eyes and anger at myself for being such an irresponsible parent, I separated them.
Kelly arrived at home about a half an hour after I did. She and I worked together to make Kimberly a brand new home. Now, they live in separate cages and are seemingly very happy. Well, Jim is happy. Kimberly is furious that she has no one to beat up. That bitch has got bloodlust like I have never seen. And Jim…my poor, sweet, little guy, Jim…he has lovelust like I have never seen. All he wants is to be kissed and pet.
And all I want more than anything is for him to survive.
And at this point, I am not sure he will.
Over two months ago Kelly and I discovered two hamsters abandoned in front of our apartment. Our hearts grew to the size of watermelons and we immediately rescued them and gave them a new home in my bedroom. Although both were male hamsters, I named one Kimberly and one Neechee. The two hamsters lived happily in their aquarium until the day that I left the top off of the cage. During the night, Neechee escaped and was part of a tragic accident involving a box fan. He bled to death on my rug.
I immediately went out to a pet store and bought myself a new hamster. He looked exactly like Neechee, yet I decided to name him Jim. The dude at the pet store warned me that the hamster that lives in the cage would most likely resent having a new hamster invade the dwelling. I felt so horrible about the death of Neechee that I went against his better judgement and purchased the little guy anyway.
The second I introduced Jim to Kimberly, a fight broke out. Kimberly attacked Jim and threw his sad little body all around the cage. It scared me at first and I did everything in my power to separate them whenever they started fighting. I did this for almost two months successfully. When I wasn’t at home, I am sure that they beat the shit out of each other, but I wasn’t there to see it, so it was easy to convince myself that it wasn’t happening.
The day before Thanksgiving, I found Jim and Kimberly snuggled up together in the corner of their cage. It warmed my heart and gave me hopes about their future. I gave them some Thanksgiving treats and went home to Albany.
Upon my return to NYC, I found Jim’s body torn about by claw marks. Kimberly must have spent the three days I was gone beating the fuck out of the poor little guy. The saddest part of the whole situation? Jim never fights back. All he does is sit there and put his hands up, eyes pleading for Kimberly to leave him alone. His mild mannered attitude just infuriated her more.
I was so sad by what I found, that I decided it was best to separate them for good. My parents were visiting, so they helped me to fashion a barrier inside the cage, making it impossible for them to get at each other. Wouldn’t you know it? They banged on the cage for hours, Jim doing his best to keep Kimberly on her own side. Late that night, I went to Paul’s and didn’t return for two days.
While I was gone, Kelly noticed that Kimberly had figured out a way to get to Jim. She created a new barrier and hoped that this would keep them away from each other. It didn’t work. Last night I went home to find Jim’s entire backside swollen and bleeding. Kimberly beat him so bad that Jim laid there gasping for breath. With tears in my eyes and anger at myself for being such an irresponsible parent, I separated them.
Kelly arrived at home about a half an hour after I did. She and I worked together to make Kimberly a brand new home. Now, they live in separate cages and are seemingly very happy. Well, Jim is happy. Kimberly is furious that she has no one to beat up. That bitch has got bloodlust like I have never seen. And Jim…my poor, sweet, little guy, Jim…he has lovelust like I have never seen. All he wants is to be kissed and pet.
And all I want more than anything is for him to survive.
And at this point, I am not sure he will.
