Earlier this month, a man named Ted set out into the forest to forage for mushrooms — but what he found that day had nothing to do with nature’s bounty.
As he walked beneath the trees, something odd caught his eye. Lying next to a trunk was a towel draped over what looked like a box. Curious, Ted used a branch to gently lift the towel — and froze.
Beneath it sat a small hamster cage. At first glance, it looked empty. Then, in the upper corner, something moved.
“His heart dropped when he noticed movement in the top compartment of the cage,” Ted’s wife, Yee Her, told The Dodo.
Inside was a tiny hamster, trembling and alone. Whoever left her there had chosen a spot deep enough in the woods that no casual hiker would ever find her.
“It was not visible from the hiking path,” Yee said. “Regular hikers would have never discovered it.”
Heartbroken, Ted scooped up the cage and rushed home, desperate to save the helpless animal.
When Yee examined the hamster — whom they later named Nugget — she realized just how much the little creature had endured. Nugget was weak, infested with parasites, and clearly suffering.
A vet confirmed her condition was serious, and for a while, the couple feared she wouldn’t survive.
But Nugget wasn’t ready to give up.
“Nugget has been resilient since day one,” Yee said.
With medication, warmth, and gentle care, the tiny hamster began to heal. Soon, her fur started to shine again, her energy returned, and her appetite became unstoppable.
“Her fur is shiny,” Yee said. “Her appetite is amazing — which is great.”
What began as a shocking forest discovery turned into a story of compassion. Ted and Yee decided to officially adopt Nugget, giving her a loving forever home where she’s finally safe.
“She’s just the sweetest hamster with such a spunky personality,” Yee said. “We absolutely adore her.”
Reflecting on the experience, Yee hopes others remember that kindness matters — even for the smallest lives.
“We saved her because it was the right thing to do,” she said. “The world needs more compassion and love, and sometimes it starts with the littlest of creatures.”
