Ashes in the Light

Daily writing prompt

What animals make the best/worst pets?

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When I saw this prompt, I immediately thought of my hamster.

I didn’t choose it — my sister did. But somewhere along the way, it became mine in the way that matters. The small routines, the quiet moments, the way I would check on it without thinking… it slowly became part of my everyday life.

I’ve always felt that hamsters make some of the best pets — at least for people like me.

They’re small, quiet, and not overly demanding. They don’t need constant attention like dogs or cats, but they’re still there — in their own little world, doing their own little things. Watching them run on their wheel, nibble on food, or just curl up to sleep… it’s oddly calming.

There’s a simplicity to it.

And maybe that’s why I loved mine so much.

But one thing about having a hamster is knowing that their time with you will be short. Mine lived for almost two years, and it passed away in 2024.

It wasn’t a long time — but somehow, it still felt like it mattered.

I think that’s the part people don’t always talk about. Even the smallest pets can leave the biggest spaces behind. The cage that’s suddenly too quiet. The routines that slowly disappear. The little habits you didn’t realise meant so much.

I don’t think there’s really a “best” or “worst” pet for everyone. It depends on who you are, what you need, and how you love.

But for me, a hamster was enough.
Quiet, simple, and full of small moments that stayed longer than I expected.

And even now, I still think about it sometimes.