Back from vacation, my son sprinted into the house to check on his banded Syrian hamster (Kobe) and tell him all about his fabulous adventures.

Suddenly a shrill cry pierced the air and my son, sobbing and holding a piece of paper that had been laying on the hamster’s cage, came running out of his room and buried his face into his father’s chest. The note read:

“Hi —–,

Your pet hamster died on Thursday Aug 14 5pm 2008. [3 days shy of Kobe’s third birthday.]

We’re very sorry because he died. So I hope you don’t freak out.

Sorry.

P.S. We (my mom and I) put the hamster in the freezer in a white and red bag.”

Brody hadn’t read the note…his eyes had been drawn to the word “died” and he instantly realized what that meant.

Kobe, in fact, had died while we were exploring Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

Several days before leaving for vacation we suspected Kobe was ailing (his waste had been green and loose, and his walking was unsteady from old age). So we had played with Kobe and fed him treats and showered him with kisses…fearful of what might very well happen while we were gone. Sure enough, Kobe had died. I had mentioned Kobe’s illness to the friends who were to care for him (and the other two hamsters) in our absence. And together we had come up with a plan…to freeze Kobe if he should die so we could bury him when we returned.

Earlier this year my son had lived through the death of his cat, Tiger, and the death of his sister’s hamster, Fudge, so he was somewhat prepared for the emotional roller coaster and the plans to come.

As I write this, my son is searching for a burial box and making preparations for a ceremony. And wouldn’t you know it…I accidentally came across a poem written in my deceased sister’s, Cindy James, handwriting. It seems appropriate to dedicate the poem (which I’ll share in my next Blog post) to Kobe…

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
Read an excerpt now
TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James