Gribbers RIP

So farewell Gribouille, aka Gribbers, Princess Perfect’s adored hamster.

Gribbers, who entered the Dumdad household a year ago, exited last night after being ill for some days. A few months ago she had survived the dreaded “wet tail” affliction, but she succumbed this time to some hamster malady after several days of suffering.

We all became very fond of Gribbers who was a lively, friendly soul. Even The Frog Queen, who doesn’t like rodents, came to love little Gribbers. Guests chez Dumdad also came to know the hamster as PP always trundled out Gribbers to meet and greet.

I shall miss PP bringing Gribbers over to my desk at night to give her (the hamster) a goodnight kiss. “Bisous, bisous, for Gribbers, Daddy!”

Gribbers was very much a part of family life and shared in all celebrations. And Gribbers shared house space with Scabby the cat, who, amazingly given her penchant for killing all living creatures smaller than herself, left the happy-go-lucky hamster alone.

So Gribbers is now in the great hamster cage in the sky, forever spinning round in her celestial wheel. Have infinite fun, our beloved furry friend.

Scabby the cat writes: Yeah, well, I can’t say I’m going to miss Gribbers but she wasn’t a bad egg as far as rodents go. I could see that if I munched Gribbers – and oh I could so easily have done so on various occasions, believe me – I’d be in bad odour with Princess Perfect and that, diplomatically, would be a dumb move. PP pampers me and is a buffer zone if I get into hot water with the irascible Dumdad.

There were times, though, when temptation was almost too much. PP often let Gribbers roam free in the sitting room, not far from my basket, when I could have, whoosh! lashed out and had rodent au nature as an afternoon snack. But I didn’t and I think that speaks highly of my self-discipline. Now excuse me, I must have a kip; this writing lark is really quite exhausting.