I'll have Butterscotch, please!

A new addition to our family -- Butterscotch the hamster. Julia is like a little mom with her -- I guess that makes me a nana!

Julia has been lobbying for a pet - especially a dog - for a while now. Not ready to make the commitment to a dog, I had suggested something smaller and the hamster choice was made.  We started our research in August by visiting various pet shops and bought a book on hamsters. All this began in Sarnia, and the research told us that a big car ride out of the gate was not a good idea.  

Julia then decided she'd ask Santa to bring her one. I was worried about bringing a hamster back to Newmarket from Sarnia was not a good idea. 

So I decided to surprize Julia yesterday. While she was at a birthday party, I went to pick up a second hand hamster "habitat" from a teacher in Queensville.  When Julia got in the car after the party, she asked, "What are we doing now?" I told her we had some jobs to do and I needed her help with a special project. She thought it was the autumnal decorating.

Then I opened the trunk to unveil the home of her future pet -- I've never seen her so excited. And was delighted that right after the initial shrieks -not squeals- of delight -- she said "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mummy!"

Checking out the options.

The choice was made -- there she is in the middle, sleeping with her sisters.

A sleepy little baby -- awwwwww! She's the one with the spot on her back. A little drop of caramel - Julia chose the name because of her colour.

I know this is blurry - but it captures Julia's delight and excitement.

A proud new pet-owner. She paid for Butterscotch from her allowance.

Getting some instructions and advice.  

Oatmeal for the first three days. 

Why, hello there.

precious cargo

checking out the new digs.

Butterscotch's space age home -- sorry, habitat!

Goes nicely with our decor, don't you think?

Last night we watched Butterscotch explore her new space - -she was a bit cautious at first but it didn't take her long to discover how the tubes and the running ball worked.  She ran a marathon at top speed.

This morning when I got up, she was up and I mean up in the observation deck I call it.  She had dragged some of the nesting stuff up with her -- making the place her own.

So welcome fall and welcome Butterscotch to our family.  And coincidentally, Julia's friend Alyse got a hamster too -- Cinnamon.  The girls became mummies on the same day!