Friday morning, just as I announced my illness to the masses, my hubby informed me that A could pick up her new hamster today, per the semi-knowledgeable pet guy from the store. Feeling crappy and obviously not in my right mind, I decided I would attempt to make contact with the foreign animal first, just to make sure nothing crazy happened to any of the kids. (we can all see where this is going, right?)

Hammy was hanging in his petting area, so I opened the latch and tried to touch him. He was very skittish and didn’t seem interested in me, so I grabbed a few of his treats and tried to get him to come to me. (Rule #1- don’t try to feed hamsters with your hand.)

He did, the little bugger, try to escape from the second story of his palace and I grabbed him to stop that. Chasing hamster around the house while being sick was not on my dream list for that day. (Rule #2- don’t grab hamsters. They HATE that.)

That little vampire bite me! I am not talking nipped. He full on dug both teeth- upper and bottom into my finger and wouldn’t let go. If I let go of him, he would of been lock jaw swinging on my finger. I screamed, my boys started crying and that little dood would not come off!

Finally, somehow, I got him to let go and blood gushed all over. Seriously soaking several Cars tattoo bandaids. I cleaned out my finger: tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, water, soaked in salt and water, triple antibiotic and so forth. Still by the next morning,Saturday, my finger was so swollen the skin was starting to split and it hurt like all get out.

Hubby was kind enough to edge me to the doctors with cautionary tales of losing a finger and bone scraping. I decided to check out one of my favorite places, CVS and their new Minute Clinic. Cool! I can shop discounted Christmas items while I wait! And wait I did. Christmas items were not bought, though, as all I could find was candy and none of us need anymore of that in this house.

Upon seeing the nurse practitioner, I got worried. The guy was flighty and a mighty bad speller. The more he opened his mouth the less confidence I had in him. I was almost relieved when he told me he was not allowed to treat animal bites, as they needed a special report to go to the state. Yes, even hammy bites.

So, I drove over to the local sit and wait or better known as the walk-in clinic. I sat and waited for a few hours and finally was seen by an annoyed doctor (had a full discussion about how annoyed he was having to see all us patients by himself, right in front of my open door.)

He told me the bite was infected and asked how dirty the hamster was. Huh? I have no idea? He also let me know I would need a tetanus shot. I got my prescription and made sure the nurse gave me my shot on my non-wii arm, (can’t have that being sore!), not realizing I told her to give me the shot on my side I sleep on. I guess I choose Wii over sleep?

Today I am fine. Sickness gone. Tetanus shot area is not so sore anymore. My finger is not as swollen and can almost be bent in the normal fashion. I’m here and Hammy has yet to be bothered since. No one dares to interact with him in that fashion as of yet. I am not so sure I want the kids too, either. He is a smart little thing. Come out fierce from the beginning and then no need to worry about the rest…

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