Proudly introducing the newest member of my family.

A year and a half after Mike Jones' passing I finally decided it was time for a new hamster.

I got this little guy three months ago but I had to keep him a secret from my parents because I knew my mom would be mad at me

(but not really, she's a sucker for all little furry pets).

So now that the cat's out of the bag so to speak, (my mom had to go get a book out of my room so I figured I should tell her before she saw him.)

 I would like to introduce Marshmallow.

 Named for Marshall in How I Met Your Mother.

His wife Lily calls him Marshmallow as a term of endearment and in turn he calls her Lilypad.

I thought it was cute.

Plus this little guy is white so it works out perfectly.

Though no hamster will ever be able to fill the hole in my heart left after Mike Jones' passing, I am excited to have a little friend again to love and keep me company!

I miss you Mike Jones...

So lately I have been thinking alot about my deceased hamster Mike Jones. I was in Alaska when he passed away and I never got to say goodbye, but my brothers gave him a very lovely funeral that honored him and his short but meaningful life (read about the funeral here).

I really want to get another hamster. They are so cute, fun, and low maintenance pets.

I'm thinking maybe I will get one like this next time...

This little guy is actually pretty famous. His name is Mozart and he has his own website and there is a video of him on YouTube. One of the cutest things I have ever seen!!

http://hamsteronapiano.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfqNXADl3kU

If I do get another furry friend, any suggestions on names?

*note* There is no replacing Mike Jones, he was one of a kind and loved by all. Any future hamsters I own will be loved just as much, but MJ will always have a special place in my heart.

Remembering Mike Jones

Picture taken with my cell phone soon after he joined my family.

I found out Saturday that my beloved Russian Dwarf Hamster, Mike Jones, passed away. It was very upsetting to have this happen while I am away in Alaska but after shedding lots of tears I realized that he was well taken care of and had a very happy life.

Mike Jones was more than just a pet. I remember the day I got him, two and a half years ago, like it was yesterday. I had been living alone in my first apartment for about two months when I decided I needed some company. So I went to Pet Smart and looked at all the small animals. When I saw Mike Jones I knew it was fate. He was the cutest hamster in the bunch. I immediately bought him, and brought him home. The rest is history.

Thanks Mike Jones for all the times you listened and sympathized with me.
Thanks for always being my running partner, you on the wheel me on the treadmill.
Thanks for running around in your ball and leaving little poop pellets all over my floor, making me have to vacuum.

Thanks for keeping me up at night with all your running on that squeaky wheel.

Thanks for being so darn cute.

So here's to you Mike Jones, my confidante, my pet, my friend. I will always cherish our short time together and I will miss you!

xoxo.

These are pictures from the funeral. My brother sent them to me since I couldn't be there. I couldn't imagine it being any more beautiful. Thanks to my mom and dad, brothers and sister-in-law for all they did during this difficult time.