Perry

After careful thought and considerable research, I have decided to get a hamster for my next home in Alton. I would love to have a dog, but it wouldn't be fair to it because my busy schedule would keep me away from home too often. I would also like to have a cat, but that is out because of Eric's severe cat allergy. So, I have settled on a hamster.

Mostly I want a pet because I know that next semester will be hard. I have to move to a new place where I don't know anyone and start all over again. Although I know that this will be exciting, I am also a little nervous and I think having something to come home to at the end of the day would help comfort me.

I have decided that I will name my hamster Perry. I think it's a cute name and also, I wanted a human name so if I do happen to be talking to him and my neighbors hear, no one will think that I am completely crazy. I have been investigating all the neat hamster accessories there are to get and have fallen in love with a little exercise ball encased in the body of a race car. I think I will get Perry a yellow one.

I have also taken into careful consideration the advice of people I know who have already had these delightful rodents as a pet. On my sister Margaret's advice, I will be getting him a wire cage instead of plastic, since wire is harder to escape from.

And yes, Mom....I know that they are nocturnal, which is why I will keep his cage in the living room :)