Choosing The Right Hamster For You And Your Family

Choosing The Right Hamster For You And Your Family

Hamsters are loved as pets around the world by young and old alike. Their cute antics and playful nature make them a popular choice for a family pet. The average hamster lives anywhere from one to three years, so when considering a hamster as a pet for a child it is important to keep this in mind. Coping with the loss of a pet hamster can be a sad yet important life lesson for a young child, and in the meantime they can learn responsibility while they care for the daily needs of their pet hamster.

The two most common pet hamsters are the Syrian hamster and the Dwarf hamster. The Syrian hamster has been bred into many different types that go by several different names: Teddy Bear hamster, Golden hamster, and Fancy hamster to name a few. A fully grown Syrian hamster can reach about seven inches in length, with the females being just a touch larger than the males. The most important thing to remember about Syrian hamsters is that they’re extremely territorial, so you must only ever have one Syrian hamster per cage. They will fight to the death if housed with another Syrian hamster!

Dwarf hamsters are smaller, and most importantly, can share a cage with other Dwarf hamsters without fights breaking out. Dwarf hamsters are a popular choice as they tend to be quite tame and friendly as long as you handle them correctly.

When taking your hamster home it’s important to remember that hamsters are extremely susceptible to stress, so you want to make the journey to their new home as pleasant as possible. A pet store will typically give you a small cardboard box to carry your hamster home with, but if possible you should bring a larger container filled with hay and some hamster food.

You should buy and prepare your hamster cage before heading out to get your hamster so that when you return to your house his home is ready and waiting for him. Be sure to get the essentials such as bedding and nesting material, a food dish, a water bottle, and some toys. Having all of this prepared will drastically reduce the stress on your hamster.

If you choose a wire cage for your hamster make sure that the distance between the wires is no more than half a centimeter or else your hamster can squeeze right through!

The location of your hamster cage is just as important as the type of cage you choose. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures and so they sleep during the day. They’ll need some peace and quiet during daylight hours, so don’t put their cage next to a blaring TV set! Hamsters are also very susceptible to temperature changes, so keep them away from direct sunlight or drafts. And even though they’re in a cage, having a cat or dog tormenting them all day long will lead to a very stressed-out hamster. If you already have other pets please keep this in mind when deciding on a location for your hamster cage.

Hamsters are naturally quite clean creatures, but even so you’ll need to clean the cage about once a week. The hamster will need to be removed from the cage while you do this, so it’s a great opportunity for him to get some playtime in a hamster ball. Throw away all the old bedding material and replace it with fresh material. Use a light disinfectant as any strong smells left behind by your cleaning will upset your hamster, and make sure that the cage is completely dry before you put the new bedding material back in the cage.

More Hamsters Articles

Rotastak Hamster Cage FAQ – 3 Simple Tips on Introducing Dwarf Hamsters to Each Other

For the people who didn’t know, when you buy a new dwarf hamster and want to introduce it to those that you already have, it is not as simple as just putting the new hamster into it’s new home. Work has to be done to ensure that this newcomer is accepted and welcomed by the rest of the hamsters you already have. Thus I wrote this article, to share with you some steps and measures to take in order to prevent harm towards your new hamster. I mentioned dwarf hamsters because I’m not too sure about how to introduce the other breeds of hamsters. This is the method I’ve used for my own dwarfs.

1. The setup of the cage

(a) Essential steps have to be taken to setup the cage. You will need to get a separator of some sort (I’ve got a BBQ wire mesh) put it in between the new dwarf hamster and the existing ones that you have. This serves as a barrier to protect either sides of the cage. What I did was to stick tape across the mesh so that my hamsters can’t get over to the other side. I have a picture of this. Do leave me a note and your email address at my blog for me to send you a picture of how I did it.
(b) Because dwarf hamsters are territorial, they mark out their territory by this gland at the bottom of their belly. Therefore we have to make sure that the new dwarf hamster gets a fresh set of bedding to prevent it from feeling threatened with the scent of the other hamsters.
(c) Once done, you can put your hamster into the cage and make sure all the necessities like water, wheel, food etc. are readily available.

2. The getting used-to period

(a) The hamsters will be very curious to see who is on the other side of the cage. Mine tried to bite the the mesh and the good thing about BBQ mesh is that they can’t bite through it.
(b) If you hear squeaking sound made by the hamsters. Do not panic. They are just unfamiliar with each other and will stop after awhile. (Mine stopped after a week)

3. The follow up

(a) The job’s not done yet! For them to get used to each other we do it the passive way first. Every 2-3 days, swap their places. Meaning if hamster A is on the left now, bring it over to hamster B’s side and bring hamster B to hamster A’s side. This is for them to get used to the smell of the other hamster.
(b) When you do that, make sure that each hamster has enough food to eat. Best time to swap places is before meal time. This way, the hamsters will definitely not go hungry.
(c) After a week you noticed your hamsters stopped squeaking at each other, introduce them to each other. (ie. Taking the barrier away) Pay close attention to them as they might not be ready for each other. If they start scuffling, use your hand to separate them. This is a sign that they’re not ready to live with each other. Put the barrier in between them again and continue the swapping places for 3 more cycles.
(d) Hopefully by then, they will be able to live together harmoniously. If after 2 to 3 tries, your hamsters are still scuffling non stop, then my suggestion is that it is best not to let them live together.

Hopefully these 3 simple tips will be helpful to you in introducing your dwarf hamsters to each other.

Kia Hamster Ad for the All New Kia Soul

www.southwestkia.net A New Way to Roll, The new Kia Soul will turn heads with its unique body style. When you step inside a Kia Soul, you’ll notice the comfort and style of a high end car for a low price that rivals the Toyota Scion. The hamster ad started to run on national TV and in movie theathers in March. The response has been overwhelming. You can find the Kia Soul now at Southwest Kia or call us at 1-877-3-NEW-KIA

Hamster Training

Hamster Training

Before you decide you are going to train your hamster to do tricks and entertain your guests there are a few things you should know first. Regardless of what any book may have told you or what any website claims about being able to train your hamster as easily as you can your dog let me share a few things with you first.

Some hamsters actually very few hamsters can be trained to do “tricks” they are not that intelligent. As much as you may hate to admit to yourself hamsters are in fact rodents. They are indeed a cute, cuddly little rodent but a rodent none the less. This makes hamster training a very difficult adventure to even consider taking on.

At best you will be able to train your hamster to behave and not do things like urinate all over their toys or fight with their cage mates. You can also train them to allow you to hold them without biting you or trying to get free.

You can train your hamster to come you when you call its name. This takes a little time, first for the hamster to learn its name especially if you have more than one hamster in the cage.

Once the hamster(s) have learned their names you can train them to come to you by offering or rewarding them with a special treat. A treat that you only use when they come to you after you have called them. The most important thing to remember is NEVER forget the treat! In all actuality the hamster is coming for the treat and if you do not provide the treat you will have to train the hamster to come when called by name all over again!

When you are training the hamster(s) you should train only one at a time. Hamster(s) do get confused easily and if you call one hamster and two come to you then you have a little problem. Why? Because obviously one does not know their name yet and secondly if you give the hamster you called the treat there may be bloodshed! Yours and theirs! The hamster is not smart enough to understand why you gave a treat to one and not the other.

The best way to train your hamster to come when called is to have a smaller cage that you can use for training one hamster at a time. That will eliminate all the confusion.

Another thing hamster owners need to train their hamsters for is handling. Some hamster(s) can be very temperamental and if you cannot pick up a hamster without getting bit or scratched it is not a very ’fun’ pet to have.

Handling your hamster should be a daily event. Let the hamster get use to your scent first just let him/her smell your hand for a few days. Then pick the hamster up, do not be surprised if they try to get away or bite you the first few times. Imagine yourself being stuck in the fist of King Kong. For the hamster it is really not that different!

Lastly when you are working on hamster training you should really start the training knowing that there is a possibility you will not be able to train the hamster. That will make it much easier on you and the hamster. Do not expect too much and be happy with the accomplishments you do make. That way you will not be too disappointed and the hamster will not be traumatized by the experience either. 

Dwarf Hamster Toys That Should Be Avoided

Pet stores are filled with hamster toys of all shapes and sizes. While some of these toys are meant for dwarf hamsters other toys are meant for larger hamsters. Most pet stores sell a mixture of toys out of which some toys are not suitable for dwarf hamsters or even larger hamsters. This article will help you understand which dwarf hamster toys should be avoided when you go shopping for your dwarf hamster.

Tunnels and tubes definitely make great hamster toys but majority of these toys are made for large hamsters. Tunnels and tubes that are very large will scare your pet dwarf hamster once he goes inside them and he may not understand how to come outside it. Extremely large tunnels and tubes dwarf hamster toys should be avoided.

Many pet stores sell metal and acrylic ladders as hamster toys but the truth is that these toys are not suitable for hamsters. Hamsters definitely like to climb but they need flat lofts to climb and not ladders. Metal and acrylic ladders are suitable for birds and they should not be bought for dwarf hamsters since dwarf hamsters can get hurt while trying to climb on these toys.

Exercise balls are considered as the number one toy for hamsters of all sizes and this is true. There are various types of exercise balls in the market and some of the exercise balls available are not suitable for dwarf hamsters. Exercise balls that are too large are useful for dwarf hamsters since dwarf hamsters have tiny feet and they will not be able to use the exercise ball. Hamster exercise balls that have metal bars are not suitable for dwarf hamsters and larger varieties of hamsters since these balls often hurt the tiny feet of hamsters. Exercise balls with metal wires can cause your pet hamster’s feet to go red or get blisters.

Many people prefer buying acrylic exercise balls that can move on the floor. The truth is that most dwarf hamsters do not like these balls since these balls are basically a large dome with holes. Most dwarf hamsters get extremely scared when they are placed inside these balls since they feel trapped.

Hamster toys that are made using a lot of glue or small beads should be completely avoided since these toys can harm your dwarf hamster. Glue is toxic for hamsters even in small quantities and beads can be ingested by dwarf hamsters. Edible toys that have too much sugar should also be avoided since these toys are very unhealthy. Edible toys like wooden toys can be purchased provided the wood is safe for pet hamsters. Before purchasing edible wooden toys you should find out what kind of wood is used to make the toys and you should purchase only hamster safe edible wooden toys as many types of wood are toxic to the hamster little bodies. There are so many dwarf hamster toys available on the market you should have no problem finding suitable and safe toys for your hamster.

General Hamster Information

General Hamster Information
Hamsters are adorable furry little creatures that make ideal first pets. Most parents choose hamsters as their child’s first pet since they feel that hamsters require little to no maintenance. While hamsters don’t require to be walked and they don’t need the owners to spend a lot of time with them, hamsters do require a little care. The following paragraphs will elaborate on general hamster information and ways to keep them happy.

 Let’s start with some general hamster information, there are many varieties of hamsters and the popular varieties include Syrian hamsters, dwarf Siberian hamsters, Chinese dwarf hamsters and dwarf Russian hamsters. Syrian hamsters are the larger variety of hamsters and it is possible to get long haired Syrian hamsters. Typically a Syrian hamster will reach 12 cms but it is possible for them to be a few cms smaller or bigger. Dwarf hamsters reach to a size of 6-8 cms.

Hamsters in general have a nervous disposition and but some varieties are less nervous than others. Chinese dwarf hamsters and Syrian hamsters are known to be perfect for children since they are peaceful and friendly. Russian dwarf hamsters can make great pets provided the owner gives them some time to settle down. Hamsters in general require to be handled carefully since they tend to squirm free and run very fast. While handling your hamster you should use both your hands to support him but ensure that you do not squeeze the hamster.

Hamsters are easy to train provided the owner spends a little time and takes a little effort. Before training a hamster the owner will need to spend some time getting acquainted to the new pet. The best way to make friends with your net hamster is to feed him his favorite treats with your hand. Since some hamsters nibble when nervous it is advised to be calm while making friends with the new hamster.

Hamsters should be fed a varied diet since a varied diet ensures that they get all the right nutrients. Leafy vegetables and fruits should be fed as a staple since these items provide roughage, water and important vitamins. Seeds make an ideal treat for hamsters and they provide the required fatty acids. While feeding seeds and fruits you should ensure that you feed small quantities no more than thrice a week. Calcium supplements should be provided to baby hamsters since calcium will help them grow well. Commercial treats can also be given to your hamster but while using commercial treats it is important not to give your hamster sugary treats. Human food that is processed should not be given to your pet hamster under any circumstance since processed food has preservatives, additives and other harmful content. Most hamsters enjoy eating small bits of tofu, hard boiled egg and cooked chicken.

There is a lot of general hamster information you should educate yourself about before buying a hamster. Each breed of hamster is similar but not exactly the same. The more you know about your hamster the better you will be able to provide for them.

Are You Following Your Dream or Lost on the Hamster Wheel of Life?

Society’s message is that we are to study hard, work hard, be responsible, get a good steady job, make more money, climb the corporate ladder and/or be in a ‘respectable’ job. Yes, a ‘respectable’ job…whatever that is! The message is heard throughout our lives and has a dramatic impact on all of us. Most of us believe we have no choice but to jump right on to that hamster wheel and keep running. In fact, sometimes people will not even tell others what their dreams are for fear of being ridiculed. It is no wonder the notion of following a dream at best gets little attention and at worst some really bad press.

And how many people right now are feeling that what society wanted of them has jumped up and hit them on the nose? What price complying when faced with losing one’s job? So let’s turn this notion right on its head and think about fulfilling dreams. Perversely, it’s a great time to do it when there are so many people who have lost or may lose their jobs

First, let’s distinguish between a ‘dream’ and a ‘fantasy’ because so many times people are very confused about what it means to follow their dream. How many times have you heard a successful person say that they are where they are today because they did what they loved and dreamed of doing or being. That’s what we mean by following a dream.

DREAMS: YOUR INNER YEARNING

The word ‘dream’ refers to what can be viewed as a ‘calling’ or a ‘vocation’. It is the inner yearning, the burning desire that comes from deep within the core of who you are. Your dream is an authentic passion that emanates from your essence. It is not the roles you fill (mother, daughter, father, son, executive, salesperson, etc.), nor is it the product of your ego mind. To live this dream would bring you a true sense of well-being, wholeness and aliveness, enabling you to live more in the ‘now’ than in the past or the future.

As an example, let’s say your dream is to be a dancer. If you are capable of dancing well, love doing it, are willing to work at it and are willing to accept the consequences of pursuing that avenue – the ups and downs and the insecurity – then it is not irresponsible or foolish to consider pursuing this dream. It is valid, heartfelt and a statement of who you are. Yes, it’s true you may or may not become successful at it or make enough money to earn a living by dancing. However, if the passion is there and you truly enjoy dancing, you will likely gain fulfillment and satisfaction in your life. And perhaps you can earn extra money in other ways if needed. You will, of course, have to stand strong against the negative reaction you may receive from others and the negative mind chatter that may pop up.

FANTASY: BORN OF THE EGO MIND

A ‘fantasy’ on the other hand, is something that originates in the ego mind rather than in your inner being. It may be something that is impossible to achieve or it is based on what you’ve been taught to believe is significant, such as that ‘respectable job’ or making lots of money. A fantasy usually shows up as materialistic or very self-indulgent. For example, you may say you want to become a rock star. If you aren’t very good as a musician or singer and don’t have the motivation to learn and work at it, you are more than likely caught up in a fantasy. Your wish may simply be to have the fame, money and excitement you perceive rock stars to have. Even following the path you believe to be right for you can turn out to be a fantasy because when you have achieved your desire you may realize that you do not feel fulfilled or satisfied. And this can and does happen to so many people.

BE COURAGEOUS AND FOLLOW YOUR DREAM

So what about you? Are you very clear and certain what your essence truly desires and dreams versus what might just be ephemeral fantasy? If this has you feeling stressed and confused, it is not surprising or unusual. Remember, you live in a society that promotes and glamorizes certain careers and lifestyles – and who isn’t, to some extent, drawn to the materialism that is deemed so important in our society? Yet you may experience a sense of discomfort because you are not naturally drawn to the pressures this type of lifestyle induces. If you feel this way, it’s worth taking time to listen because the ‘real you’ knows what is going to help you feel fulfilled and alive. This takes some serious introspection to determine the source of the motivation – is it authentic or superficial? How do we learn to know what we truly want (the dream) as opposed to what we are expected to strive for on that hamster wheel called ‘life’?

So even if you are facing unemployment, it’s pretty certain that the push will still be towards finding that ‘respectable job’ rather than taking the opportunity to follow your dream. The key is to stand strong and you will succeed.

When you decide to follow a particular dream a lot of emotions come up. You may feel a sense of freedom and adventure, of great aliveness. On the other hand your inner critic – that ego mind of yours – may present you with feelings of great turmoil and fear just by thinking about it. Negative mind chatter comes along with thoughts such as: “I’d be foolish and irresponsible. I won’t be able to earn a living. People will think poorly of me.” Remember when the negative crops up, you need to feel the fear – that’s OK – but don’t let it get in your way. This is where your inner strength comes into play.

In an ideal society, right from the start as a child, you would have been encouraged to follow your inner guidance, your inner desires to develop them throughout the various stages of your life. This may well not have been your experience. It is not too late, however, to remember that you, like every other human being, are unique and have special gifts and capabilities that when developed are of benefit to you and society. Ask yourself if you have consciously encouraged another person to follow their dream, or have you shown them the way to the hamster wheel?

NOW OR LATER: IT’S YOUR CHOICE

A few points to bear in mind – following your dream doesn’t mean that you will always love what you are doing in every given moment; there will be times when you may be required to do things to fulfill your passion that you do not love. And don’t fool yourself by thinking you won’t have to work hard or that everything will be exactly as you plan it. Following your authentic dream however does mean that you will experience an overall sense of direction, purpose and fulfillment as you pursue your dream. This has to be far better than ignoring your inner yearnings or putting them off until a ‘later’ that never arrives. And if the universe has presented you with the opportunity of unemployment, it’s given you the gift of choice – to follow your dream or return it to the back burner.

CHECK OUT IF YOU HAVE A DREAM OR ARE LIVING IN FANTASY LAND

Reflecting on the questions below can be a great help in determining whether you are following your dream or caught up in a fantasy.

o Do you continue to feel the same yearning from within?
o What are the feelings that accompany that yearning?
o Has the yearning faded and/or do other desires keep popping up?

When a yearning is really coming from your essence it will usually continue over the course of weeks, months, years, and so on. A fantasy may be more impulsive and fade away…a materialistic desire may keep coming up but it tends to me more erratic and changes depending on your mood or what the latest “in thing” is.

• Are you excited and alive in what you are doing right now or is what you are doing leaving you feeling drained and depleted?

An authentic dream would give you satisfaction and fulfillment and not leave you drained and tired. If you feel drained and tired, there is something amiss-you may be putting in too much effort or trying to make something happen that isn’t in alignment with your essence. Perhaps you are putting pleasing others before yourself.

• What are your expectations of your dream? Are they realistic?

If expectations are unrealistic and ‘out there’, that’s a sign of a fantasy. A dream may ‘seem’ to be unrealistic because of the inner critic and negative mind chatter that you may experience; however, when looked at thoroughly, you will find that your dream is a possibility. If you have thoughts such as, “That can’t come true for ‘me’ (yet it does for others)”, that’s a real sign of the inner critic at work-it is not a sign of a fantasy.

• Are you willing to accept the consequences of living your dream? Life gives us no guarantees.

When your authentic self truly desires something and you are able to recognize it as authentic, then you need to be willing to live with the consequences. By contrast, when you are engaged in a fantasy, you will want everything to go according to your plan with everything being perfect. You will not accept anything less because a fantasy is idealistic…a true dream is not.

• What would your life look like if your dream became a reality?

Envisioning how life would look can be a wake-up call. A fantasy can be uncovered when your vision shows you how totally idealistic, materialistic, and inauthentic your desire is. The fulfillment of a dream will make you feel good inside.

• What, if anything, do you have to give up to live your dream? . . . and to what extent are you prepared to deal with this?

When you realize what you have to give up to achieve your dream, it can cement your determination or it can uncover a fantasy. Fear is inevitable – so treat it with care, but don’t let it stop you from following what is truly a dream.

• Look into the future, how would you feel if you did not pursue this desire? Regret? Relief? Or something else?

If your desire is an authentic dream you would know that you would feel regret in the future if you didn’t pursue it. Instead, if you are holding on to a fantasy, you may realize right now that if you didn’t pursue it, it wouldn’t really matter much to you in the future. Or, perhaps you’d even feel relief if you were to decide to let it go.

How to Make a Homemade Hamster Bin Type Cage?

As all of you know, bins are all the ‘rage’ in ‘Hamster Real Estate’ these days. These are inexpensive and easy to make if you are handy with tools, or have someone to lend a hand.
You are only limited by your imagination! Design the home of your hamster’s dreams. These are easy to clean and weigh little.
Just remember to measure twice, and cut once. Also, make sure to read the end notes for tips and other useful ideas.
I also want to point out that some of the cuts in the photos provided in this guide are picks of my very first attempt and to note that the dermal tool and Rota Zip tool are difficult to handle while cutting plastic for more details go to www.dishadvice.com. Having the Dermal tool after all the bins have been made has made available attachments to smooth out some of these ‘wobbly’ cuts you see.
You can also use a GOOD utility knife to make the cuts. It works nicely and is less messy than the power tools. It also makes nice smooth lines/cuts. I want to point this out because I am NOT going to go and buy another bin to cut up without needing it for any hamster.
These instructions are for Sterility brand bins with the locking tabs on the lid. The size depends only on your personal preferences. I use a 109 qt for Syrian hamsters and 66 qt for Dwarf hamsters. I like the locking lids for safety reasons. I have 2 bins with 3 dwarf hamsters in each living quite comfortably in there.
OK, let’s get the lid vented
See that ridge along the edges? That’s our guide. We want to cut along side the shape of that ridge. Keep the lid fastened to the bin while doing this. It gives some stability.
1- Take your 1/2″ drill bit and drill a hole about 2″ INSIDE the area you are going to cut out.
2- Take the jig saw and insert the blade into the hole you just made and start cutting. I use the guide on the saw to a) follow the shape of the ridge, b) it keeps a safe distance inside the ridge to keep the lid useable and sturdy.
3- Continue all the way around until you have a hole cut out of the middle of the lid.
4- Make 2 holes with a ‘brace’ in the middle for the large bins. [K]
Let’s add the wire mesh
1- Take your wire mesh and lay it over the upside down, cut lid.
2- With the marker, mark out the size & shape of the inside of the lid opening, include any obstacles’ that will need ‘nipping’ to make the wire fit snugly without any gaps.
3- Take the tin snips (2) & cut out the shape of the lid you just traced out on the wire. You want a tight fit with the mesh and lid so no sharp edges are sticking out. [D]
4- With the lid still upside down, lay the mesh over the lid and position the mesh in place over the opening. Take your 3/16″ drill bit & drill a hole on one spot on one of the short sides of the lid.
5- Take a screw, 2 washers & 1 nut & fasten the mesh through this hole.
6- Do the same on the opposite side of the lid.
7- Now, work your way around the opposite side. This ensures a tight fit! Use the small wire nips (#9) to cut wire away from any ‘obstacles’ left from the original shape of the lid.

France Faces Fine Over Lack of Hamster Love

Weird but true, France is being threatened with a €17 million penalty if it doesn’t clean up its act and come up with a strategy to save the European hamster, one of the continent’s most threatened species.

Last week the European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-member European Union, gave France a two-month deadline or else it would have to cough up the whopping fine for failing to comply with the Habitats Directive (yes we’re in Eurobabbleland here) to prevent the rodent’s extinction.

The Directive requires all member states to designate sites for conservation and to protect various listed species.

The little fellah at the centre of the warning is the Cricetus cricetus better known as the  “great hamster of Alsace” or the black-bellied Hamster, and as one of its name suggests is native to eastern France.

According to the Commission’s statistics – and don’t even begin to ask who does the counting, or how – the number of burrows for the rodent  have fallen dramatically in recent years, down from 1,100 in 2001 to just 167 in 2007.

The decline in population is put down to urban development and just as importantly increased levels of farming, both of which have led to the hamster’s loss of natural habitat.

In addition apparently the growth of profitable maize crops has left it with little to eat when it awakes from its winter hibernation in March.

It can’t be an easy job being taken seriously when such concerns are raised, but there is an important lesson to be learned from the decline in the hamster’s population according to the EU’s Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. 

He insists that the drop in numbers is nature’s way of sending out a bigger message and it’s beholden to everyone to heed that fact.

Brussels issued France a warning last December but maintains that not enough has been done and is now demanding a bigger effort from the French government or else face a fine.

France is also in trouble over its plans to extend the port of Saint Nazaire in the west of the country – a proposal which would destroy 50 hectares of wetlands protected under another EU-wide scheme.

On the surface perhaps it would yet again appear that the EU is doing what its critics would say it does best – handing down seemingly daft orders that are totally out of proportion with many of the other issues it faces.

For example there’s a vital vote on the future of the EU itself on Thursday when Irish voters decide on whether to ratify the so-called mini-treaty. A “no” could scupper plans to revamp its institutions and appoint a permanent president.

It would also leave the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, floundering to make his six-month rotating presidency of the EU effective, when France takes over in July.

Perhaps though among all the politicking, Sarkozy will spare a thought for the “cute” (in one Commission official’s words) little hamster and save the French taxpayer a hunk of money into the bargain.

After all “The man who saved the hamster” has a certain ring to it  – doesn’t it?

The Curious Case of the Happy Hamster Rolling His Wheel on a Moving Walkway

Folks, I have great news for you. Forget what astrology told you. You’re neither a taurus, a fish, a pig or a snake, you’re a happy hamster rolling your wheel on a moving walkway.

The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, said that “you [could] never step in the same river twice” and so gave a timeless image of the linearity of life: time is always moving like the ever-changing water flowing in the riverbed.
But then rivers flow into the seas, water evaporates and condenses into clouds, the clouds bring back the fugitive under the form of falling rain. And that’s the circularity of life.

Stone monks from Tibet ODed one night and woke up the next day with the doctrine of reincarnation. That was the first cool attempt to combine the two perspectives. It was even cool enough to convince some of us sceptical braindead materialists to buy a tibetan dress and avoid walking on ground insects. The ant you nearly crushed could be Yitzhak Rabin’s second cousin and you don’t want to be called an anti-Semitic bastard, do you?

My metaphor of the hamster rolling his wheel on a moving walkway avoids such mishappenings and it has the advantage of depicting the whole life process. Two perpetual motions coexist without interacting. A first movement you can control (you roll your wheel at your own speed), a second movement you can’t control (that’s the moving walkway).
Rolling his wheel provides the hamster with an illusion of freedom, while the moving walkway sets the limits of this freedom, and gives to every hamster the same main tempo.

This fair combination of self-determination and bound temporality makes every hamster happy. The element of fun is brought by the race (the fit hamsters can try and overtake the unfit hamsters) and the fact that in the end there won’t be a winner or a loser (every hamster will fall and die at the far end of the walkway) ensures a friendly atmosphere.

So every hamster on his starting block: one, two, three, go!

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