Easter egg: For those of you who have the 2-Disc special edition version of Amelie - insert the second bonus features disc. When the main menu comes up, select "The Station" - go across to "Main Menu", Then hit down to highlight a gnome. You will then open up a map where you can select different locations to view all of the gnome photographs!
Hamster
Answer: As far as I can see, Amelie is just trying to give him a view of the world, so he doesn't become entirely cut off.