A Birmingham woman who captured hearts by taking her late hamster's ashes on global adventures has now given him a towering tribute in their home city.
A £1 Tribute on a 100ft Screen
Lisa Murray-Lang, 49, recently paid just £1 to have a picture of her beloved hamster, Spud, displayed on a massive video billboard in Longbridge, Birmingham. The self-employed pet sitter from Birmingham saw an article on Facebook about a local community initiative allowing people to advertise on the large screen for a pound per picture.
"I thought it would be amazing to see Spud on a giant screen," Lisa said. "I was over the moon and so proud to see his little face. I popped out last night to see him shining brightly like the star he was." The image showed Spud wearing a festive Christmas hat.
Spud's Extraordinary Posthumous Journey
This billboard honour is the latest chapter in an extraordinary story of devotion. Spud died in 2022 at the age of three years and seven months. Following his passing, Lisa made headlines when she flew to Hawaii, spending £3,500 to scatter most of his ashes in a ceremony in Honolulu.
She then embarked on a 1,500-mile journey across Europe with the remaining ashes contained in a vial around her neck. In 2023, she visited London, Paris, and Amsterdam, posing for photos with Spud's ashes at iconic landmarks like the Louvre and the Van Gogh Museum.
Lockdown Adventures Inspire Global Tour
These trips were inspired by the miniature worlds Lisa built for Spud during the Covid-19 lockdowns. A creative pet owner, she constructed detailed models of famous places for him to explore.
"Spud loved the model of Buckingham Palace I made him," Lisa recalled. "He used to stick his head over the top next to the flag and give a royal wave. His first adventure was my cardboard model of an art gallery. I put works of art all over the walls and he used to stop and look intently at all of them."
This is why visiting real European galleries and cities felt so important after his death. Lisa named Spud after a character from Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting, having acquired him in June 2019.
The billboard tribute has not only been a personal comfort but has also sparked joy in the community. "He brightened up others as well who remembered his adventures during lockdown," Lisa noted. "It was good to spread the Spud love."
Residents will have another chance to see the memorable rodent, as Spud is scheduled to appear on the Longbridge billboards again between 28th December and 31st December 2025.
