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Woman taking pet hamster Spud’s ashes on a trip across Europe | UK News

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Lisa, Spud behind in a pub-themed cutout.

Lisa Murray-Lang made cardboard cutouts of different spots for Spud the hamster to play in (Picture: SWNS)

A woman is taking her pet hamster’s ashes on a trip through some of the European cities she claimed she visited when he was alive.

In reality, Spud never left his home in Birmingham.

But owner Lisa Murray-Lang made him cardboard cutouts of exciting locations to play in, and now he’s taking his remains to the real spots.

Lisa, 47, already spent £3,500 on scattering some of Spud’s ashes in Waikiki, Hawaii, last March.

But she kept some of them to put in a special necklace so that her beloved pet would be able to accompany her for some traveling this year.

The graphic designer said: ‘The idea is that we’re tracing his “paw-steps” and actually going to the places that he “visited” during his lifetime.’

Lisa and her husband William, 66, are headed to Paris in September, London in November and Amsterdam in December – or ‘Hamsterdam’, as the couple call it.

Spud in the Rovers Return from Coronation Street. A pet owner has made dozens of miniature real-life sets including Hogwarts and Coronation Street - for her HAMSTER. See SWNS story SWSYspud. A pet owner has made dozens of miniature real-life sets including Hogwarts and Coronation Street - for her HAMSTER. Lisa Murray-Lang, 44, used cardboard boxes and dolls furniture to recreate iconic scenes for her Syrian Hamster, Spud, to explore. She hand-crafted every element - including tiny bar stools and hamster-themed artwork on the walls. Lisa - who used to be a graphic designer - also used her computing skills to tweak the logos - turning the pub from Coronation Street The Rovers Return into the ???Rodent???s Return??? and Hogwarts into ???Hamwarts???.

Spud pulling a pint at The Rovers Return (Picture: SWNS)

FILE PHOTO - Spud at Hogwarts. See SWNS story SWSYhamster. A grieving woman is spending 3.5k and traveling more than 7,000 miles so her beloved hamster's ashes can be spread - in Hawaii. Pet Spud passed away naturally in March 2022 at the impressive age of three years and seven months. Owner Lisa Murray-Lang, 46, has been left devastated by the death - and wants to give the Syrian hamster a special send-off.So she and her husband are planning to fly to Honolulu in September - so Spud's ashes can be spread.

Spud getting ready to take his OWLS (Picture: SWNS)

Spud the Hamster in London. A pet owner has made dozens of miniature real-life sets including Hogwarts and Coronation Street - for her HAMSTER. See SWNS story SWSYspud. A pet owner has made dozens of miniature real-life sets including Hogwarts and Coronation Street - for her HAMSTER. Lisa Murray-Lang, 44, used cardboard boxes and dolls furniture to recreate iconic scenes for her Syrian Hamster, Spud, to explore. She hand-crafted every element - including tiny bar stools and hamster-themed artwork on the walls. Lisa - who used to be a graphic designer - also used her computing skills to tweak the logos - turning the pub from Coronation Street The Rovers Return into the ?Rodent?s Return? and Hogwarts into ?Hamwarts?.

Spud on his way to take a dip in the Hampstead Heath ponds (Picture: SWNS)

FILE PHOTO - Lisa Murray-Lang.See SWNS story SWSYhamster. A grieving woman is spending ?3.5k and traveling more than 7,000 miles so her beloved hamster's ashes can be spread - in Hawaii. Pet Spud passed away naturally in March 2022 at the impressive age of three years and seven months. Owner Lisa Murray-Lang, 46, has been left devastated by the death - and wants to give the Syrian hamster a special send-off.So she and her husband are planning to fly to Honolulu in September - so Spud's ashes can be spread.

Lisa is using the money from her book about Spud to fund the trip (Picture: SWNS)

FILE PHOTO - Spud outside Downing Street. See SWNS story SWSYhamster. A grieving woman is spending ?3.5k and traveling more than 7,000 miles so her beloved hamster's ashes can be spread - in Hawaii. Pet Spud passed away naturally in March 2022 at the impressive age of three years and seven months. Owner Lisa Murray-Lang, 46, has been left devastated by the death - and wants to give the Syrian hamster a special send-off.So she and her husband are planning to fly to Honolulu in September - so Spud's ashes can be spread.

Spud waiting to chat to the prime minister about some concerns – namely Larry the cat (Picture: SWNS)

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This is ‘the most important’ destination on the itinerary as the set Lisa made of the Dutch capital ‘was always a favorite’ for Spud.

The couple will also be celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary and they think the trip with Spud is a ‘really special way to do that’.

Lisa said: ‘It’s a lovely way to keep celebrating his life, and a lot of it is actually being funded by the sales of my book about him. So in a way, it’s like an anniversary gift from Spud.’

The whole journey is inspired by Lisa’s book A Year in Lockdown #BeLikeSpud, which features pictures of Spud visiting various holiday destinations.

Spud in 'London'. A pet owner has made dozens of miniature real-life sets including Hogwarts and Coronation Street - for her HAMSTER. See SWNS story SWSYspud. A pet owner has made dozens of miniature real-life sets including Hogwarts and Coronation Street - for her HAMSTER. Lisa Murray-Lang, 44, used cardboard boxes and dolls furniture to recreate iconic scenes for her Syrian Hamster, Spud, to explore. She hand-crafted every element - including tiny bar stools and hamster-themed artwork on the walls. Lisa - who used to be a graphic designer - also used her computing skills to tweak the logos - turning the pub from Coronation Street The Rovers Return into the ???Rodent???s Return??? and Hogwarts into ???Hamwarts???.

Spud in a London art gallery showcasing The Scream (Picture: SWMS)

Lisa scattering Spud’s ashes in Waikiki, Hawaii, last March (Picture: SWNS)

Spud enjoying the beach in Hawaii (Picture: SWNS)

Lisa said her book also saw a boom in sales following Spud’s sad passing last year – and that people are now taking copies with them abroad.

She added: ‘I still have people send me stories about their children reading the book to their own hamsters.

‘I know one young boy is taking his copy to Portugal on a holiday to this year, so it’s like Spud is still traveling.

‘It’s been amazing to celebrate his life this last year with all of these trips. I’m not sure what I’ll do next – but there are still places he “visited” that I’d love to see.’

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