Guest blogger Petlover4life:My mother was allergic to dogs and cats, so she bought me a hamster when I was in third grade, and we named him Hamlet. Here are the top five things I learned from my furry little friend.

1. Get excited about little things. Hamlet was thrilled when we gave him a small carrot stick or a grape as a treat. It sounds corny, but it's a reminder to appreciate small gifts and favors.

2. Be resourceful. Hamlet used to shred ordinary cotton balls, transforming them into a comfortable bed. Get creative with what you already have instead of wishing for more.

3. Accept that part of life is running in circles. Hamlet would run in his wheel for hours not going anywhere -- but every morning he woke up wiggling his little nose ready for another day. Work, family and friends will occasionally run you ragged. Sometimes all you can do is put up with the crap, get a good night's sleep and make tomorrow better.

4. Learn to fend for yourself, but trust others. Hamlet lived alone in his cage and kept himself busy but always allowed me to pick him up and take him places -- admittedly I was only allowed to carry him to the end of our driveway. Be open to new people and opportunities, but make sure you're also your own best friend.

5. You don't have to yell to be heard. Hamlet rarely even squeaked, but because of this, I listened carefully when he made a noise. I try to remember this before I open my big mouth, and I make an effort to chose my words (and battles) more carefully.

Get tips for how to care of hamsters from The Humane Society of the United States.