#lpb2019

[lilpocketbears]

Yeah, I suck at doing human things like being social and all...but I'm great at doing hamster things like persevering and running in circles while going nowhere. 😕🤨🤪😜😂 Best nine - thank you all for the hamster love and for still being here even when this human is kind of...not. 🤷 ❤️🐹💛💚💙💜 . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #mesocricetusauratus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #lpb2019 #lpbreece #lpbflash #lpbcastor #lpbclarke #lpbari #lpbsonata #lpbcallie #lpbcollage #lpbmemes #bestnine #bestnine2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/B61Jyw5ATEs/?igshid=1xun6iky2xvax

[lilpocketbears]

them: "Do you have any kids?" me: . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #mesocricetusauratus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #lpb2019 #collage #lpbreece #lpbflash #lpbcastor #lpbclarke #lpbari #lpbsonata #lpbcallie https://www.instagram.com/p/B1KwJcMACfm/?igshid=kn63uv7u4smf

[lilpocketbears]

Sometimes, all the achy joints need is some Sonata-proxen sodium. Stat. . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #lpb2019 #lpbsonata #sonata https://www.instagram.com/p/B1BXFTHHrGt/?igshid=1aolj3bzziarg

[lilpocketbears]

TL;DR: Potatoes are therapy. This human has had the worst luck this year as far as health stuff goes - comparatively to past history, anyway. (It could be worse & I'm grateful it isn't.) It's really taken a toll on my already unstable mental health (yup, calling it what it is - unstable and out of control PTSD, anxiety, and depression). I've grown to dislike doctors again over the last year. It's a long story and it's been so surreal at times, I spend a lot of time just staring at people because I don't even know how to respond to whatever malarkey just rolled out of their mouths anymore. Yesterday, the eye doctors office got added to the latest episode of "surreal interactions with uncaring providers" - my eyes decided to rebel this week. Guess they were feeling left out. 🤷 Anyway. When I had called the office yesterday to get an emergency appointment, this was when I found out that my eye doctor up and left the practice months ago and the office never thought that important to tell their patients. 🤔🙄😞 Because she left, they also cancelled my annual eye exam scheduled for next month without notifying me...and they're currently scheduling exams 6+ months out. (Double eye rollage here.) So, today was blanket therapy day. My soul hurts, my body hurts, my head can't wrap itself around all that's gone on, and I'm either in "zero f's to give" mode or completely shut down. "Shut down" is where I was at when I noticed this potato peering at me through the clear plastic of her bin. She's too pure to resist, so I got up and burrito-wrapped her in this plush cloth and she snoozed for an hour on me while I held her. Sonata really knew just what I needed today. A hug. And in her way, that's what she gave me. . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #lpb2019 #mentalhealthawareness #ptsd #depression https://www.instagram.com/p/B0-AqINAoWi/?igshid=11tpuf8wv0ash

[lilpocketbears]

I was indecisive for Christmas 2018 cards as well. I really liked this one as I really do see these little furry floofs as blessings in my life and I'm honored to care for them no matter how long they're with me, or what condition they come to me in, or how naughty they may be, so on and so forth. . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbreece #lpbflash #lpbmagellan #lpbtiger #lpbcastor #lpbandromeda #lpbclarke #lpbari #christmasinjuly2019 #christmas2018 #tbt❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B0cfUSwgXgf/?igshid=1uq00avms60ok

[lilpocketbears]

2018 was the year I discovered that the pharmacy with the handy dandy photo kiosk offered few card designs capable of accommodating 8 photos. One of the options was a repeat of one of the 2017 cards but at least they offered it in another color. For Christmas 2018, the cards featured Reece, Flash, Magellan, Tiger (who had unexpectedly passed in November, only 3 months after being rescued), my very own "Canadian invasion" with Castor, Andromeda, and Clarke, and last but never ever least, little color changing Ari. . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbreece #lpbflash #lpbmagellan #lpbtiger #lpbcastor #lpbandromeda #lpbclarke #lpbari #christmasinjuly2019 #christmas2018 #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/B0cTzAPAJ-Z/?igshid=1mmf7ctgd4l8q

[lilpocketbears]

Not Christmas for this one -- last year, I printed out a few Hanukkah themed cards for those friends who celebrate Hanukkah instead of or alongside Christmas. Chinese hamsters are very clingy and so Clarke was an excellent candidate for holding a dreidel for the photoshoot. . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbclarke #christmasinjuly2019 #hanukkah2018 #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/B0cAqgBAfak/?igshid=9mxzgitotzrv

[lilpocketbears]

Christmas 2017 - here's the second card from the redo. I couldn't decide on a landscape or portrait orientation, so I printed both. In the end, I liked the landscape oriented card better as the individual photos of the hamsters were a bit larger and thus easier to see. Also, the cards don't let you customize how many photos you can add - my options were either too few to include all the hamsters or too many and I had extra spots to fill. I filled the two extra spots with the logo and with a random shot of my hiking boots chilling in the grass at an arboretum (top most photo on this card). Because, I was *not* putting my face on those cards, haha. . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbantares #lpbaquarius #lpbriabhan #lpbjuniper #lpbecho #lpbreece #lpborion #lpbflash #christmasinjuly2019 #christmas2017 #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/B0b8QVeAN3-/?igshid=1r0n9400aff58

[lilpocketbears]

Since I don't always exist on linear time (it's a PTSD thing), I'm going to continue with the Christmas-in-July posts as though a couple days haven't passed. 😉😁 So, back to Christmas 2017 - that seemingly really awesome deal I had found for printed photo cards turned out to be too good to be true. A certain national office supply store seemed to think that "photo card", "photo quality", and "glossy photo paper" is the equivalent of flimsy cardstock run through a laser printer. When I went to the store to retrieve my order, what I received looked like something I could have done at the local library -- in fact, had I wanted to really blow my budget on ink cartridges and photo paper, I could have done a better job with my own Canon inkjet printer. Long story short, they refused a refund or even a credit, argued with me that they were indeed photo cards (if you doubt me, I'll mail you one 😂), and I walked out so annoyed that my first venture into printing fancy collage photo cards had gone as such. Across the parking lot was a pharmacy, so I popped in there and used their handy dandy little photo kiosk to print out a couple dozen cards in two different designs (I was indecisive on orientation). That process was amazingly convenient - less than 20 minutes later, I walked out of there with 24 shiny actual-photo cards, with envelopes, and all for less than I'd dropped on the junk cards the other place printed. This may sound like more trouble than it's worth, but I like to create things, I can be a perfectionist when it comes to my artistic endeavors, AND these are my fur kids! I wanted to show them off for Christmas. 😁 ♥️🐹💛💚💙💜 . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbantares #lpbaquarius #lpbriabhan #lpbjuniper #lpbecho #lpbreece #lpborion #lpbflash #christmasinjuly2019 #christmas2017 #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/B0b1ldHAZzM/?igshid=1vktwv2gn1vrc

[lilpocketbears]

We skipped getting custom cards for 2015 and 2016 because /college/ (fall semesters were ending for me a couple days before Christmas, so it was overwhelming). Then college was done and a seemingly great deal for having photo cards printed came across my path, so I subjected the hamily to a Christmas photo shoot. Some shenanigans later, Antares, Aquarius, Riabhán, Juniper, Echo, Reece, Orion, and Flash all had their likenesses sent off to the printer folks. . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbantares #lpbaquarius #lpbriabhan #lpbjuniper #lpbecho #lpbreece #lpborion #lpbflash #christmasinjuly2019 #christmas2017 #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/B0W4jixAVk_/?igshid=1ecbljl5z5kj5

[lilpocketbears]

I didn't get creative with sending out hamster Christmas cards again until 2014 when I made a photo collage of Sis (on the right) and Ash (left) with stickers to make them more festive. This was sent out as a digital card, via email, as I was in college at the time and opted to not worry about printing, envelopes, addressing, and posting while in the middle of the end of the semester chaos. Featuring: Kesosawasosis, or Sis for short (passed away late spring 2016) & Aislinn, or Ash (passed away fall 2015) . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbkesosawasosis #lpbsis #lpbaislinn #lpbash #christmasinjuly2019 #christmas2014 #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/B0WQ1S0gKes/?igshid=149r2ocfemn3n

[lilpocketbears]

It's July 25th so we're doing Christmas in July over here on Li'l Pocket Bears by sharing Christmas card throwbacks. Christmas 2005 -- this "card" (really just an edited photo I printed out a bunch of and then mounted them to folded cardstock) was my first foray into making Christmas cards featuring any of my hamsters. Featured here is Peppersass, or "Sassy" as she was known, who was a female shorthaired black Syrian hamster. Photo credit & Photoshop editing credit: @meg_od85 (Meghan O'Donnell) . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbpeppersass #peppersss #christmasinjuly2019 #christmas2005 #tbt https://www.instagram.com/p/B0WMD-TAxSr/?igshid=2bwl5jdv5hb5

[lilpocketbears]

I like what @hathorhamstery called it so I'm going to use what they called today - it's "Noodle Day"!!! Two years ago today, the most awesomest batch of sassy hams were born at Hathor Hamstery in Ontario, Canada and about a year later, I was blessed to welcome two of them - Castor and Andromeda - into my hamily. Sadly, Andromeda (or Andy or Andy-bear as she was known) didn't make it to her 2nd birthday as she passed away from congestive heart failure back in April. But Castor is still on this side of the veil and he's celebrating with snackies and noms today. Please enjoy his sexy leg pose. Oh - and it's "Noodle Day" because the litter was called the "Noodle" litter - mama ham's name is Linguini and she gave birth to little noodles. . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbcastor #castor #noodles #noodleday2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/B0UxozaADP6/?igshid=g8i4lc7298kd

[lilpocketbears]

Since three of the current members of the hamily hail from Canada (and the human has Canadian ancestry and relatives), we observed Canada Day today with snackies, smooshies, zoomies, and rubber ducks. I played "O Canada" as performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for them. We also poked through Instagram and enjoyed seeing how our Canadian friends celebrated today. Pictured in the collage are Castor (from Hathor Hamstery / @hathorhamstery in Guelph, Ontario), Clarke (rescued by Ontario Hamster Club / @ontariohamsters ), and Sonata (from Strong Brew Hamstery / @strongbrewhams in Mississauga, Ontario). All three hail from amazing folks whose love for these wee ones really shows. I'm grateful for their efforts in furthering the fancy, promoting scientifically backed best care practices, and for the lengths they go to in order to ensure that these little ones are loved. . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbcastor #castor #noodles #lpbclarke #edithclarke #clarke #lpbsonata #sonata #balladbabies #canadaday2019 #canadaday https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZnjtHgeYP/?igshid=15wecglaludom

[lilpocketbears]

companies designing, producing, and marketing supplies for small pets: "New roomy cage design your hamster will love!" Clarke: "Erm...hallo? Tail doesn't fit?" . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram  #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #lpbclarke #edithclarke #clarke #noroomfortail https://www.instagram.com/p/BzO8a5EAq-m/?igshid=10dfm1ric82uo

[lilpocketbears]

After my last Reece post, he asked that his bravery in battling and wrastling gators be shown. Here he is, zero bleeps to give about the danger lurking nearby as he snack-a-lacks on his stash. TWO gators!? Psssht. No fear here when it comes to snackies. . . . . . . . #syrianhamster #hamstersofig #hamstersofinstagram #lpb2019 #hamstersarelife #pocketpets #mesocricetusauratus #mesocricetus #lilpocketbears #syrianhamstersofinstagram #syrianhamstersofig #chinesehamster #cricetulusgriseus #dwarfhybridhamster #dwarfhamster #phodopuscampbellixsungorus #chinesehamstersofinstagram #chinesehamstersofig #dwarfhamstersofinstagram #lpbreece #ramblinreece #lpbramblinreece #reece #gatorwrastler https://www.instagram.com/p/BzOR5lsgrcJ/?igshid=r28ceq7xyx0p