Nicole Zuniga Lopez, Journal 1

When I think of the word friendship three small friends come to mind Pochi, Rosie and Queso, my hamsters haha. Sometimes our furry friends are the ones closest to us. Usually when people think about friendship stories it’s two humans who have formed a really strong connection. Not everyone has such types of friendships but can have other types that are just as valid.

During the midst of the pandemic my mental state was in a funk. Staying home and the whole world pretty much stopping created a bittersweet phase. There was a comforting feeling about not having to do anything for a bit. Everything was paused and stopped for a moment. The days were repeating, an endless cycle of the same thing not much stimulation happening for the brain. Next thing I know I’m up till 5am on tik tok and sleep in until 4pm. Not the best habits to have especially when your mental health starts to decline. Things within my personal life were going downhill as well. Creating a very awkward, confusing and anxious phase. I felt very lonely and was thinking maybe a furry friend could help me escape from what was going on around me.

December 2020 came around, it was a time of joy because the holidays were right around the corner. That year my family decided on celebrating at my aunt’s place. It was fun having the family gather once again just like old times. Catching up on life, laughter and chatter fill up in the air. The aroma of pozole knowing that it’s ready to be eaten. Waiting till the clock hits 12am to open gifts under the tree. Mexicans have a tradition of not opening the christmas gifts until midnight on christmas eve. It keeps the excitement of wanting to know what we got. Once gifts are opened that’s usually when the party ends. My aunt lives in brooklyn. I had gotten a message from my boyfriend wanting to come pick me up from my aunt’s place so we could celebrate the holidays together and eager to give me my gift. I agree because well I was curious to know what he had gotten me for christmas. Who doesn’t love a gift right?

My boyfriend headed to his room first to make sure everything was in place as he wanted. I’m waiting at the top of the stairs waiting whilst endless thoughts of what this present could be. I hear my que allowing me to enter the room. Feeling a little anxious but excited as well. I turn the corner and see this big balck wired cage and a small furry friend within it.

OMG IS IT A HAMSTER?!!! I ask

“Yeah I know you like hamsters and have been feeling down so I thought I’d get you a furry friend to help and give you company” my boyfriend says.

Touched by the effort of the gift and having a new pet to keep me company and would make things feel less lonely. It was something I didn’t realize I needed. Now this hamster is known as Pochi.

Rosie and Queso are both sisters and I got them in July 8 months after Pochi. My aunt had sent me a message asking If I wanted some baby hamsters due to her hamster having had babies. She was trying to give them a home. Knowing myself I just couldn’t resist to not get one. I start preparing for the arrival of a baby hamster setting up their home. Once that was all sorted I headed over with my small travel cage to pick up a baby. I get there and see so many cute little babies running around sticking close to their mama. I look closely at each baby trying to find the ones I want to take home. I see a light blonde hammie and a more yellow like colored hammie. I wondered if my aunt really had a lot of hamsters on her hand. Maybe I should take two off her hands. Now here I am walking back home with two baby girl hamsters. I let my little brother name them. He came up with Rosie and I came up with queso. Queso because one girl had a more yellow tint which reminded me of cheese. I wanted to give one of them a Spanish name so Queso it was.

I was a mom to three hamsters and boy I didn’t know how much they would actually be later on. However in the end it was all worth it. I don’t regret getting them both. Having furry friends/babies helped me get out of the funk I had been in. gave me something to look forward to and now that I have to spend money in order to get them their bedding and food. I understood I had to work nonstop. Sometimes people don’t need human friendships; all they need is a furr baby. A fur baby that becomes a best friend and helps us smile on days where the world doesn’t seem too bright.