RIP Flinky, a good hamster

We've been storing a dead hamster in our garage for much of the winter after Henry's awesome pet, Flinky, kicked the bucket. He was, indeed, a good hamster -- never biting, always curling up in your palm to take a nap, escaping only occasionally. After he died, we shed many tears and Ruby created a coffin for him out of a blue shoebox. It was lined with tissues for bedding; carried a favorite chew toy and extra hamster food in case the ancient Egyptians were right and Flinky needed it in the afterlife; was adorned with a big, garish, hot pink flower; and carried this inscription: "RIP Flinky, a good hamster."

Sadly, I must report that Minky recently joined Flinky in this excellent last resting place.

Last week, when the guys from Rock Structures were digging an $18,000 hole in our back yard, I asked the foreman if he would bury our dear hamsters. Ruby and I solemnly watched as he scooped two huge buckets of black earth from what will be our basketball court -- Jason wanted it deep, so that no future landscaper would disrupt our pets. He gently created at dirt ramp so that Ruby could walk in ceremoniously, not hop down. Ruby placed it in the hole, stepped back, and watched as Jason carefully covered up Flinky and Minky and tamped down the dirt.

Ruby and I hugged and reminisced.

Then we asked Jason to bury the giant, rotting deer carcass Henry dragged home the night before.