PHOENIX, AZ — In what can only be described as the most entertaining heist of the year, local man Jake Thompson, 28, became an unwitting accomplice to his pet hamster’s daring escape, leading to a social media frenzy that catapulted the tiny rodent to viral fame.
Thompson, who had recently adopted a hamster named “Sir Squeaksalot,” thought he was prepared for pet ownership—after all, how hard could it be? “I bought the cage, the food, the toys, and even a little hamster wheel,” he explained. “I thought I had everything covered.” However, he quickly learned that Sir Squeaksalot had other plans.
The Great Escape
The incident began on a seemingly normal Saturday morning when Thompson awoke to find Sir Squeaksalot’s cage empty. After frantically searching the living room, he found the little guy lounging comfortably atop his laptop, blissfully gnawing on a power cord. “I should’ve known he was up to something,” Thompson said. “Hamsters are like furry ninjas!”
As Thompson attempted to recapture his adventurous pet, Sir Squeaksalot decided it was time to embark on a grand adventure. With surprising agility, the hamster sprinted under the couch, dodging Thompson’s clumsy attempts to catch him. “I swear he was mocking me,” Thompson laughed. “He would stop, look at me, and then take off again!”
Social Media Fame
After ten minutes of an epic game of cat-and-mouse—minus the cat—Thompson managed to corner Sir Squeaksalot and captured him in a small box. However, the ordeal didn’t end there. In his moment of victory, Thompson took to social media to document the event, posting a video titled “Hamster vs. Human: The Epic Chase.”
The video quickly went viral, amassing over a million views in just 24 hours. “I honestly didn’t think anyone would care,” Thompson admitted. “But people love a good underdog story, especially when that underdog is a hamster.”
Merch and Celebrity Status
In the days that followed, Sir Squeaksalot became a full-fledged internet sensation. Memes of the daring escape flooded social media, with captions like “When you just can’t adult today” and “Live your best life, no matter your size!” Fans even started a hashtag: #FreeSirSqueaksalot.
Local businesses caught on to the hype, creating Sir Squeaksalot merchandise, including t-shirts, mugs, and even plush toys. “I can’t believe people are buying this stuff,” Thompson said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I just wanted a pet, not a franchise!”
The Aftermath
Eventually, Sir Squeaksalot’s fame reached a point where he was invited to appear on a local morning show. Dressed in a tiny bowtie, the hamster stole the show, earning more applause than the human guests. “I’m pretty sure my hamster is now more popular than I am,” Thompson joked.
As for Sir Squeaksalot, he continues to live life to the fullest, often seen lounging in his cage while Thompson works. “I guess he figured out he doesn’t have to escape anymore,” Thompson said. “He’s already living the dream.”
In the end, what started as a simple pet ownership experience turned into a whirlwind of unexpected fame, proving that sometimes the smallest creatures can capture the biggest hearts—especially when they’re plotting their next great escape.