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!

I received an e-mail asking why it takes so long to put new articles on the SIBlog. 

My answer:

We're rodents!

Seriously, these keyboards and computer "mice" are NOT built for rodent hands. They are built for HUMAN hands.

That and Princess's Human is staying at home on the computer more. She's still working on her special report, but it could be a while longer.  It must really be miserable being a pet.  I'm glad I'm not one.

I have NEVER seen the SIB ACN so angry! 

For some reason, they SIB have chosen not to do business with the company called CafePress anymore.

She won't give me a reason, but she is very angry.

So, I guess we don't sell things to Humans anymore.

Princess thought that shrews were rodents.

I hate Humans.

Why are they so dusty?

Java's got the itchies.  She thinks it's from all of the dust she's been forced to live in.  I'm giving her the week off to sleep, clean, and recover.

Since most of us are either gathering nuts or rebuilding our winter homes, the SIBlog may not be updated regularly for the next couple of weeks.  Princess volunteered to take over for Java, but Princess doesn't have the security clearance nor will she since the SIB didn't train her.

The air outside smells like storms - the clouds look like it, too. I hope they aren't going to be too bad because I know a lot of squirrels who haven't finished their winter nests yet.  A good wind storm will destroy anything they have started.

I need to go finish mine - it should be done by late this afternoon.

Remember, there are zombies out today and tonight. Even if you don't get a wind storm, shelter in place until the infestation is eradicated - I estimate they'll be gone by morning.

Ever since I moved, I have found myself unable to leave my nest.  Don't these Humans ever stand up and walk somewhere? 

I can't get to the computer if they are in the room.  It seems like they are always in the room.  It was easy before, but that room was getting dusty. I don't think they ever clean it.

I moved to the room where I found many places to build a nest, but I didn't know the Humans used that room so much! Now I have to find another place to live back in the dust room!

I have to go now. I don't know how long it will be before they Humans return.

I don't like this.

I am tired - I think my age is catching up to me.  After much discussion, the SIB ACN was convinced that a forum would be too difficult to maintain. So I told her about my idea for SIBlog - it's like a journal only it's news and commentary for animals by animals.  I hope it works out.

The SIB ACN will be back in town tomorrow. We'll see if we can iron out some of the formatting problems I've had with entries.

Maybe it's just my bad luck.

That was the strangest winter storm anyone in this area has been through.

IT IS HOT OUTSIDE!!

What kind of winter storm makes it hot?

We think it was a winter storm because winds came from the same direction as winter storms. All of the squirrels thought it was a winter storm and gathered food and bedding like they've never gathered before. They knew it was too early for a winter storm, but winds never lie (or so they thought).

Humans are no longer blocking up the roads with their cars, and everything in this area seems to be back to normal. There have been reports of major tree damage around the area, leaving some squirrels displaced. Also, there were some babies injured during one of the tree falls. There are no reports on their current condition.

I hope we don't get another one of these strange hot winter storms.

His humans seem to be upset - they're stuffing everything they own into bags. Maybe they are moving? Maybe they are hording? They must be sensing the same thing the squirrels are.

Weird things are being reported - all of the roads are full of cars.  Humans are covering their houses in more wood. Some are covering their windows in tape. Humans are leaving their homes.

Everyone is feeling like winter is coming, prompting a rush in nut gathering by the squirrels.  I also have been hording food for a couple of days as well.

I haven't heard anything official, but any squirrels reading this that live in Houston need to gather food like they've never gathered before.