Munchkin was an orange and white Syrian hamster purchased from the Petcetera store. I was not planning to adopt a rodent, as I had two cats at the time (and now have three cats) but I found a lost hamster on my balcony one night in July 2002. I later found that hamster's owners and had to give her up. But I had already bought a cage, food, and other hamster supplies, so I went out and purchased Munchkin.



One night Munchkin escaped from his cage. He spent the next little while being followed around my apartment by the cats. My partner, Monster, had to grab Munchkin and put him back in his cage, because Munchkin didn't appear to be afraid of the cats at all.



Sadly, for the last few days Munchkin had stopped eating and drinking, and I found him passed away in his cage last night. He was about two and a half years old.