A loving dad who bought his daughter a hamster was shocked when the little mammal started acting like a dog – and the pair have become TikTok sensations with 11 million views.
Nurse Chris Davies decided to buy her eight-year-old daughter Lily a hamster and they named the new family member Popcorn.
Mr Davies, 39, from Cardiff, said seeing Lily had done her research into caring for a pet meant he was pleased to see how the relationship had developed between the youngster and the hamster.
But what Mr Davies didn’t expect was for Popcorn to develop such a close bond with him, a friendship that ended up making both of them social media sensations.
The couple shared bananas and enjoyed 30-minute naps on the couch. Popcorn even responded to his name and commands, like a dog.
Mr Davies began sharing videos of his adorable new unusual animal friend on TikTok and has gained more than 150,000 followers and 11 million likes.
Such was the inspiration Popcorn gave to the Davies family, that he has now been immortalised in a new children’s book called ‘Popcorn: The Unlikeliest of Friends’.
Mr Davies said Popcorn died aged two-and-a-half but his legacy lives on, adding: “What made Popcorn so unusual was that he responded to his name. He actively sought out human interaction.
“He loved being with his chosen people, which was me and my daughter. He would curl up and nap with us. He would follow us everywhere. He was very social, which is incredibly rare for these animals.”
Popcorn’s favourite activities included ‘cuddling’ with Mr Davies on the sofa, but he also enjoyed being a regular hamster enjoying his wheel and his own company.
Mr Davies added: “I loved bonding with him, it was so unusual and unexpected as I quickly thought he was my daughter’s first pet.
“Watching him actively try to engage with me and show the world what these animals can be capable of, while also following my daughter’s advice on how best to care for them, was a great feeling because I realized how often they are overlooked and underestimated.
“It brought my daughter and I closer together than ever before and really reduced my anxiety after a stressful day at the hospital.”
Popcorn’s favorite foods included fruits and vegetables, but he also enjoyed the occasional chicken nugget, as hamsters are omnivores.
Mr Davies said: “I don’t think Lily expected me to like her this much. I didn’t expect to like hamsters or for this to happen, to be honest.
“I bought it because Lily has done an incredible amount of research and shown that she is more than capable of caring for a hamster.
“She absolutely loved how he won me over and enjoyed watching our friendship blossom alongside hers with Popcorn too.
“We were a team, me, Lily and Popcorn. I’m an animal person and always have been. I always wanted a dog, but I never thought a hamster would be this micro dog. They never crossed my mind as a pet.”
Mr Davies said he was initially hesitant to show Popcorn to the world as a “grown man in a relationship with a hamster” but was overwhelmed by the reaction.
He said: “When I first showed my family and friends what it looked like, they were really confused. They loved it, so judging by that, I took the plunge on TikTok.
“It quickly became surreal when he gained nearly 150,000 followers and over 11 million likes, more than some celebrities.
“We received messages from all over the world. People didn’t know that these animals could behave this way.
“Companies asked us to promote safe products for hamsters, and we promoted better care, including larger enclosures and better enrichment. These are all things my daughter knew.
“She was the boss. She was the brains behind it all. She’s very mature for her age and she was very happy to have this responsibility to make life better for these animals. I threw my weight behind supporting her and getting the message across that she was trying to get across.”
Although Popcorn is sadly no longer with us, he is buried in a giant flowerpot with a lily the same colour as his fur, Mr Davies said – the legend of the little hamster will live on.
He added: “He really has a legacy to leave. These animals are capable of so much more if they are cared for properly and their needs are met.
“He was one of the millions of people who taught me so much about how love can bring a family together and allow me to focus on the moment rather than worrying about things you can’t control.
“He showed me that size doesn’t matter how big or small you are when it comes to the difference you can make in people’s lives. I hope people learn that you can make a difference and have an impact no matter how small. It’s important not to overlook or dismiss something before you give it a chance.”
