I didn't want to post this on the main blog because it's upsetting to some readers.

I have a lump in my belly.  I'm already 2 years old and the SIB ACN told me that Syrian hamsters only live for about 2 years. She said the lumps are what gave Checker the leans, so she doesn't think I have long to live. 

I have had the most amazing life! I escaped from a breeder in Washington, D.C.; I got to ride a train (hated it!); I've been outside; I lived inside a human home that was once occupied by Webmaster Checker; I've worked almost 2 full years for the SIB; I've learned graphics; I saw squirrel young (not babies, like I originally thought); and I started the SIBlog!  Most hamsters spend their whole lives eating and running in wheels!

All is not lost with me, however. There is something the SIB and I haven't told anyone until now - mainly because we didn't know how it was going to work out, but also because Princess (the PET hamster and rampant breeder) would be upset by it. But now is as good a time as any to let you know:

I have been training three highly energetic rodents to take my place.

They are pets. Checker's Humans acquired them and have them living in Checker's old cages (two cages connected by plastic tubing).  These rodents seem to have unlimited energy and they work day and night.

I hate pets, but these three are very - well, interesting. The SIB ACN already taught them how to escape from their cages and I've been teaching them to type - sort of.

First of all, they have lightly furred tails with little tufts at the ends but they are NOT rats or mice. We don't know what they are. The SIB ACN has never seen anyone like them.  They look like small, lean versions of me - with tails!   I don't know their gender and I don't really understand their language, though the SIB ACN seems to understand them well enough. So far we are referring to them as Alpha, Beta, and Cee.  We're hoping they'll eventually be able to tell us their names themselves.  I've been looking around the internet to try to find out what species of rodent they are, but I have not had luck discovering their identity yet. The SIB ACN contacted them back when I reported their presence in the house. She said she wanted me to train them to take over, so I have been trying to teach them to type.  They seem to work better as a team than as individuals.  I hope they become worthy of the title "Webmasters" before I leave this life.

I will say that I am looking forward to the next lifetime. I just hope I don't come back as a pet or a Human. I want to come back as a black tree squirrel so I can continue to work for the SIB!

I will be working as long as my body allows me to work, so I'm not dead  yet - I'm just not moving as well as I used to. I don't have pain - just a much wider body than I'm used to. The SIB ACN will announce when my body has stopped supporting my life.

Thank you for all of your e-mails and support over the last two years. They made my job even more enjoyable!