Doxiedoxie,
Do you know what the origin of a hamster is? Mine sound just like the ones you had. When they do escape, luckily I always find them in the just about the same spot. Once, Rusty (who has passed away now), got in my daughter's bed in the middle of the night. She came in my room crying about Rusty being in her bed. Of course I thought it was a dream, and low and behold, there he was, in her bed!!! I love these sweet little animals, but know that everytime they escape, they are subject to the wrath of a cat and two big dogs. So far, so good, but our luck could run out!!!