STAY AWAY FROM MT HAMSTER?

Question
HELLO,
ME AGAIN, WELL MY MOM SAID THAT MY HAMTSER DIED MAYBE
BECAUSE IM ALWAYS PLAYING WITH IT AND ALWAYS WITH IT,
JUST TO HANG AROUND. AND MY COUSIN HAS A HAMSTER AND
SHE NEVER PLAYS WITH IT AND ITS BEEN LIVING SINCE, LAST
JUNE! ITS A DWARF, AND YOU SEE THE FUNNY THING IS THAT
SHES 10, AND SHES REALLY HYPER! SO AM I JUST A BAD OWNER,
OR AM I ALWAYS HANGING AROUND WITH IT, I LOVE TO PLAY
WITH IT,AND WATCH MY HAMSTER, BUT I DONT WANNA GIVE IT
UP? DO YOU THINK IF I JUST PLAY WITH IT FOR 30 MIN. AND
LEAVE IT ALONE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, WILL IT BE IN
BETTER CONDITION? SAY, DO YOU THINK HAMSTERS GET
DEPRESSED IF ITS OLD ROOMIE DIED? WELL MY HAMSTER IS
DOING FINE , AND I BOUGHT IT SOME TOYS, SO HE WONT FEEL
LONELY. BUT I DONT WANT HIM TO FEEL BAD?
DO DWARF HAMSTERS LIKE TO BE AROUND PEOPLE?
DO THEY MIND IF YOU DONT PLAY WITH THEM AS MUCH, I
COULD TELL MY HAMSTER DOESNT LIKE TO BE AROUND PEOPLE,
IT USUALLY SLEEPS, AND PLAYS ALLLLLLL NIGHT!
BUT I DONT WANT HIM TO BE BORED?
CAN U ANSWER MY QUESTIONS PLEASE!?
P.S.
HAMMIE WANTS TO SAY THANKS, FOR BEING THERE,
AND HE MISSES U...
R.I.P HAMMMIE...

Answer
Hi Susie,

I don't think that your playing with your hamster a lot contributed to its death.  Just make sure that you're very gentle, and that you sit on the floor while you're handling a hamster.  (If something frightens the hamster, he might jump, and if you're sitting on the floor, he won't have far to fall.)  Also, when you're playing with him, try to put him back in his cage after 20 minutes or so.  That way, you can make sure he's getting plenty of food and water.

Your other dwarf will definitely miss his companion.  He will appreciate your company even more now that he's alone.  Feel free to play gently with him, letting him take breaks every 15-20 minutes or so, as stated before.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask :)

Kelly