This Dad Panicking After Losing Daughter’s Hamster Is Just Too Pure

NailTamie Mart 20, 2022

Every once in a while something comes up that tests us to the very core, revealing our true colors. Daniel Veerman, a 53-year-old lawyer, just went through such an experience. Daniel was so broken when his daughter’s hamster, Chester, escaped while cleaning his cage that he had a complete meltdown in a text exchange they had during the critter’s search and rescue operation.

Luckily, his 19-year-old daughter, Steph, took the news in stride and posted their conversation on Twitter to show how truly pure her father is.

More info: Twitter

“My parents are divorced and my dad is a single dad, and he’s the opposite of you what you would think seeing him in this situation,” Steph told BuzzFeed News. “He’s conservative, Catholic, a lawyer, and usually strict, but when it comes to animals and babies, he has the biggest soft spot.”

What made the escape so unexpected was the fact that Chester is “pretty chill.” He’s not really energetic, likes to relax and snack, and isn’t really one to pull any surprise moves.

Even though Steph reassured her father time and time again that it was OK and that she understands it wasn’t his fault, Daniel couldn’t accept the loss and let his hands down. “I had a meltdown,” Daniel said. “I was having a freaking heart attack.”

The 53-year-old started watching Chester about a month or two ago when Steph went back for her sophomore year at Emmanuel College in Boston.

“At first, I wasn’t too keen on him. I grew up with German shepherds. I’ve never had, you know, when I first got it, it was like a mouse. It wouldn’t be my first choice of pet. But then I got attached. And even more, because you’re taking care of it for your daughter.”

“It was a nightmare,” Daniel recalled. “I was calling him, screaming his name, thinking maybe he knows his name. I was looking with a high-powered flashlight.”

During these terrifying hours, Daniel kept texting Steph updates, letting her know that he’s doing everything to get Chester back. “I couldn’t just sit there all day, I was going crazy,” he said. “So I set traps. I re-created his cage in my office, took his toys and treats all around. Put out water. I thought if I didn’t find him at least he wouldn’t die because he would have food.”

Eventually, Daniel found Chester “next to a book about President Nixon”

Image credits: stephyj725

“Right after nightfall, I saw him run across the floor and said, ‘Thank god,'” Daniel said. “I came back and saw him standing on a book, cleaning himself, and I grabbed him.”