Biddle Gallery has a temporary gallery assistant. Al "the hamster" Urda will be spending the first week of August at Biddle Gallery while the Urda's are on vacation in Ludington. If Al sells some art he just may become a permanent employee!
Here are some fun facts and instructions for caring for Al.
STATS
Full Name – Alakazam
Breed – Campbell’s hamster (AKA Siberian)
Age – between 8 months and one year
Favorite Activity – exploring outside of cage
Favorite Food – millet, snap peas
Recently Discovered Talent – playing piano!
FOOD & WATER
one “lab block” and fresh spring water daily.
No treats or fresh vegetables required at this time.
No junk food! Al is recovering from a metabolic condition.
RX (0.05 cc Tinkle Tonic, at bedtime, until Aug 5th).
HOUSEKEEPING
Cage may be refreshed with wood chips as needed.
Cage may be wiped with warm water if needed.
No chemical cleaners or vinegar allowed!
Al is very clean and prefers to arrange his own nest.
Keep front gate secured with clips and ring lock.
OTHER
Hamsters are sensitive to heat and high temperatures - keep cage out of direct sunlight!
Hamsters have delicate little bones – please handle gently!
Exercise him twice a day - supervised play outside of cage, ball time.
If he disappears, block exits and put cup of seeds on floor.
Campbell’s hamsters are known for boxing and biting if disturbed in nest.
To remove Al from cage – place red cup by gate and allow him to climb in.
PLEASE NOTE
I have packed only the bare necessities for Al, knowing you are a minimalist. We left behind the three story cage, the hamster wheel, the large cardboard box with paper tubes, the car, the stagecoach, etc. Feel free to spoil him with TLC. What fun!
2 comments:
Here is an email from Al's "mother"...
Karen,
Al is feeling a bit exploited. I can’t believe you posted his personal information to your blog! You shameless ringmaster. What kind of a circus are you running there at Biddle Gallery, or should I say Al-lery?
I refuse to bring the toy piano. It’s not in Al’s contract. He’s allowed to work two minutes each day, but that doesn’t include making music. If you want tinkly piano sounds to attract customers, hire Frank Pahl.
I would like you to post a sign near his cage, DO NOT ANNOY THE TALENT. Maybe I should bring his big cage so he can have more places to hide, or the Al Corral, or the Al-cove….
My hamster refuses to file papers or other such nonsense. He is extremely near-sighted. Really, you have to prevent him from falling off the edge of things. He tends to run without regard for ravines. Any fall higher than 6 inches can injure the little snack taxi. The only alphabet he knows is the one I sing to him everyday: A - he’s adorable, B - he’s just beautiful, C - he’s a cutie full of charms, D - he’s delightful, and E- he’s enchanting, and F – he’s a feather in my arms, G – he looks good to me, H – he’s so heavenly…..etc.
Take good care of him,
Patty
PS Do not sing Alouette to him. He doesn’t like it!
Hi Karen,
Just wanted to thank you for welcoming that sweet Al of mine into your arms today. He’s probably been up for a few hours now, and I just wanted to remind you (before you go to bed) that he likes to hear a lullaby before he turns in for the day. Please set your alarm for 6 am and give him a little TLC before you have your morning coffee. You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity! It’s like sunrise on Lake Michigan.
Patty
Post a Comment