Apple and Annie, the Hamster Duo by Debbi Michiko Florence

Author:Debbi Michiko Florence [Florence, Debbi Michiko]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: rescue animals; animal foster; animal shelter; animal adoption; hamsters; chapter books
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2020-04-29T00:00:00+00:00

“No, all of the kittens found their forever families,” I said. “We got two foster hamsters yesterday. Dwarf hamsters! They’re sisters! They fit right in your hand. Would you like to adopt them?”

Mrs. Ahmed smiled. “I don’t think Lucy would like that very much, Kaita,” she said. “I hope you find a good home for them.”

“Thank you, Badia,” Dad said. “I’m sure we will.”

Mrs. Ahmed got me thinking. I wondered what the perfect place for Apple and Annie would be. I asked Dad on the walk home.

“I talked to Joss about that,” Dad said. “Hamsters need a house that’s not too busy. They should get lots of playtime and attention. They’re better pets for older kids or adults. Little kids don’t always know how to be gentle. Hamsters are tiny, fragile animals, you know.”

I nodded. “Holding a hamster is kind of like holding a soap bubble.”

“Right,” Dad said.

“Apple and Annie need to be adopted out together too,” I said. “It wouldn’t be right to break apart two sisters.”

“Right again,” Dad said. “They’re a bonded pair. They need each other.”

When we got home, Ollie took a long drink from his water bowl. I gave him a treat.

“Kaita, Mom will be home in an hour. What do you want to do until then?” Dad asked.

I didn’t have to think one second about that.

“Play with Apple and Annie!” I said.

“OK,” Dad said. “Ollie and I will hang out in the living room.”

I went to the guest room and closed the door behind me. “Hi, Apple. Hi, Annie,” I said, walking over to the tub.

The hamsters weren’t running on the wheel. They weren’t racing through the tunnel. I didn’t see them in Hannah’s little house or on my stage either.

My stomach felt wobbly. So did my head.

They must’ve buried themselves in the litter. I stuck my hand in. I felt along the bottom of the tub.

No hamsters.

Oh no! What would Joss do if I lost Apple and Annie? Would she stop letting us foster? My hands got sweaty as I crawled on the floor to look for them.

“Dad!” I called. “Come quick!”

“What’s wrong?” he asked, hurrying into the room.

“I can’t find Apple and Annie! They aren’t in their tub!” I chewed my bottom lip, trying not to cry.

Dad got down next to me. “It’s OK, Kaita,” he said. “Hamsters are great escape artists. They’re good at getting out of their cages. Since the door was closed, they have to be in this room somewhere, right?”

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