Good Things Come In Small Packages

Our hamster, Jerry Mouse passed away today. She was a loving little pet to my son and brought many laughs, smiles and life lessons. T.J. packed her a letter to take to The Rainbow Bridge and made her a soft little bed for her last hours of life. I'm so proud of my little boy. He said goodbye to her and sang her a lullabye.
Jerry was a very special hamster, named after Jerry the Mouse, from the cartoon Tom and Jerry. Scott picked her out as a full-grown hamster in March of 2008. She quickly became known as the gentle hamster that would sit on my son's shoulder and watch cartoons with him. She became a 3 legged mouse in May of 2008 after a tragic incident. After that, we took extra special care of her, providing her with natural dried fruits, nuts, trail mix, veggies (lots of lettuce) and fruit (especially strawberries).
Despite her missing limb, Jerry's spirit never dwindled and she did everything that a 4 legged mouse could do. T.J. was proud to tell his family and friends that he had a special little "mouse". Everyone who entered our home was graced with her presence. She was special indeed. She would cuddle up to us, she would ride in my son's fire truck and John Deere Tractors, and go for four-wheeler rides outside. She would sleep in the crook of Scott's neck, eat out of our hands and climb up her cage when she wanted you to take her out. Whenever I was mad about something, Scott would give me a sideways grin and sneakily hand "Jer-Jer" to me. It always made me smile.
We knew that she was getting older, slower and grayer, so we asked Santa to treat her extra special this year. She got a mouse stocking full of fruits and nuts, which she readily accepted.
My husband was a little apprehensive about T.J. dealing with the death of his beloved pet, because we have had several family members' pets die within the last 2 months (all from old age), and we also had two family members whom T.J. was close to die over the last 6 months (My Grandmother and my Uncle). Little Jerry Mouse answered many questions that T.J. had about death that we were unable to answer ourselves. Animals have an amazing way of bringing joy to our lives, teaching us lifelong lessons, and bringing us peace and closure.
Cheers to Jerry Mouse! May Jerry Mouse "Play in Peace".
Jill :)