Hammy’s star shines bright at derby

Hammy the hamster was on a roll last week – literally.

The furry, four-legged rodent, owned by Cullen Cheramie, 4, of Lockport, won all of its heats to finish first at the Hamster Ball Derby, which was held at the Houma PETCO on Saturday.

Using a hamster ball as its vehicle, Hammy beat out a field of 12 other hamsters to win the tournament, which was run at more than 870 PETCO locations across the nation.

&#8220I gave ‘Hammy’ treats to make him want to win,” Cheramie said.

And because he did, Cheramie was awarded a hamster racing track from PETCO.

&#8220We had about 40 to 50 people watching,” said Brandi English, small animal specialist at the Houma PETCO. &#8220There were a bunch of little kids in attendance who were cheering the hamsters on.”

But none louder than Cheramie.

&#8220He was jumping around and screaming ‘Go Hammy! Go!’” quipped Jamie Cheramie, Cullen’s mother. &#8220He’s quite the character. Cullen always keeps us laughing and he had everyone laughing at the race, too.”

Due to the low number of entrants, English connected four, eight-foot long tracks (which are typically used to conduct hamster races) together to create two 16-foot long tracks.

&#8220We have these races twice a year,” she said. &#8220We had more hamsters at the spring race.”

The Hamster Ball Derby also included the first-ever Critter Run, which aimed to attract gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats and chinchillas.

&#8220The Critter Run is something to promote animals in the store and to show everyone that they’re not as mean as people think they are,” English said. &#8220Only one person brought in a chinchilla, but nobody else participated. The chinchilla just sat in its ball and looked at everyone like they were crazy.”

The Houma PETCO has been hosting the Hamster Ball Derby since it opened in 2004.

The store is already amidst plans for a Halloween costume contest it will offer to animals in October.

&#8220The Hamster Ball Derby is something different for the community,” English said. &#8220It’s something we do for the kids.”

Kids like Cheramie.

&#8220After we left the race, we heard Cullen say ‘When I close my eyes, I can picture Hammy winning the race,’” Jamie Cheramie said. &#8220He was really proud.”

For more information about future PETCO events, call the store at (985) 851-3148.

Cullen Cheramie, 4, of Lockport, with Hammy, the recent winner of the Hamster Roll Derby, which was held Saturday at PETCO in Houma. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Cheramie)