Tino's thread

[Tulsi]

Thank you. I’m rather fond of it too - it’s extremely ancient and threadbare in places! OH’s Mother got it originally maybe 40 years ago . It was very good when new - 100% wool. Main reason we haven’t replaced it is the house is so old there is no damp course under the floor. The only reason it doesn’t get damp is because the wool carpet breathes (and it has wool underlay too). A new carpet 100% wool and wool underlay could cost £8,000 to £10,000! And there’s nothing wrong with this carpet - apart from two bald patches! One where it got walked on most. The bald patches don’t look great but they’re in the wrong place to put a rug over.

Oh yes wool carpets are the best. My mother had 100% wool carpets too and they were still good when we sold the house. She had them for at least 20 years.

 

[Maz]

A bit disappointing that Tino and Higgins Christmas presents were lost. Nowhere to be found in the freezer and OH can't remember what he did with them - so assume they were accidentally thrown away. So think we'll have to do their Christmas at New Year instead!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Very sorry to hear this They won't know, of course, they will enjoy the excellent care they get as two extremely lucky hammies who have such wonderful owners, but it is sad because I think you get as much pleasure from seeing them enjoy their gifts as they get from them. Oh well, these things happen.

 

[Lovelyness]

Oh that’s a pity…double treats at New Year!

 

[ilguy]

What were the lost treats?

 

[Maz]

I had got them each a forage box with a Christmas tree chew in. Rather frustrating - it's a complete mystery as to where they could be. Only my OH will know and he can't remember .............. perhaps he scoffed them

 

[Socks' Mum]

They will probably turn up somewhere completely unexpected, perhaps in a niece or nephew's stocking

 

[HamsterMama]

Oh, he is soooo cute!

 

[Maz]

They will probably turn up somewhere completely unexpected, perhaps in a niece or nephew's stocking

Only one stocking here and they weren't in that It's the mystery that's bugging me! If they can't be found I'll just have to assume they were accidentally thrown away.

 

[ilguy]

That's a shame, they sound great What about giving them each a spoon to hide?

 

[Maz]

So the hamster gifts have been delayed again . Due to various unexpected and hectic circumstances this week and as Christmas is properly over really, I think it's going to be better to give them as gifts on Tino's birthday later this month. I will get him an extra one as well! Plus Higgins will get something on Tino's birthday.

 

[Socks' Mum]

You will have to give them Valentine's Day presents as well to make up for the wait

 

[Maz]

Well Tino's gotcha day is the day before Valentine's day ............... Hence Tino (short for Valentino).

 

[HamsterMama]

Well Tino's gotcha day is the day before Valentine's day ............... Hence Tino (short for Valentino).

So the hamster gifts have been delayed again . Due to various unexpected and hectic circumstances this week and as Christmas is properly over really, I think it's going to be better to give them as gifts on Tino's birthday later this month. I will get him an extra one as well! Plus Higgins will get something on Tino's birthday.

Your struggle is real! Benjamin’s Holiday haul has been stuck in Customs for the past 5 days. It looks like he’ll be opening his gifts on our 10th anniversary in mid-January instead of at Christmastime as we had hoped. I imagine Benjamin will be thrilled just to be included in our big milestone! LOL... Either way, our beloved hammies have things to look forward to!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Well Tino's gotcha day is the day before Valentine's day ............... Hence Tino (short for Valentino).

 

[Maz]

These things happen! The annoying thing for me was I was so organised in early November - had them ordered early and delivered and just waiting in the freezer (or so I thought - until they couldn't be found in the freezer). My mistake was asking someone else to put them in the freezer And they were then lost.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I can understand it tho', moving things around to fit and then getting distracted. I do that all the time. I left £50 in a loo once

 

[Tulsi]

Tino short for Valentino. Lovely.

 

[Maz]

Tino is aged 2 years and 5 days His second birthday was on the 12th January 2026 - however life got in the way so we celebrated tonight instead.

He had two new different forage boxes for his birthday and will be getting a half sunflower head as well. He's doing fine for a 2 year old and the only real sign of him being older is I think in his face. His fur is looking good too. Although he's not very good at climbing any more, but fast on the floor!

He was out free roaming for quite a long time tonight so I put his forage boxes down on the floor and he eventually came over and investigated.

Two videos - one of him foraging in his forage boxes, and one of him out and about. He doesn't show up well until you see him zoom past the skirting board. He was behind the tv for ages rummaging, and usually then comes out near the fireplace and zooms across it, so I got my phone ready to film him zooming across it, but this time he decided not to! He decided to investigate under the firescreen. I told him no and told him to come out and he just ignored me . The fire grate behind hasn't been used for ages but if he'd climbed in there he'd have got a bit mucky. I wasn't worried about him climbing up the chimney and disappearing because I know he can't do vertical climbing anyway. Kept my eye on him and if he had actually climbed into the fire grate I would have removed him. But he just had a peek and a sniff. He then managed to get a big piece of fluff attached to his whiskers Typical hamster finding the muckiest place in the room!

He also had a bit of cuddle and stroke on my knee when he first came out, and then a bit later (photo below) but that was after his free roam and he wasn't interested in sitting for a stroke any more. Full of energy.




You might need to have the videos full screen to actually see what he's doing! He doesn't show up that well.

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[Socks' Mum]

Lovely His face when the box is tipping up, he's joining in the laughter His gifts are a great success ❤