bbchimps
05-19-2005, 08:39 PM
Chewy was my 1st chinchilla and my first pet with fur. Since I never had any pets growing up I figured they were all similar to the fish I had early in college - fun to watch but not very affectionate or interactive. I had no idea my opinion of pets would change.
Having acquired a cage for babysit a snake for a while, I felt the need to get my 1st real pet in college. I went to a small breeder just outside of town. Looking over all the kits, I had hard time deciding whether or not I wanted one. I hadn't really heard of chinchillas and wasn't sure about the amount work/care they would require. After holding a few, I pick up the runt of the litter. When I held him up to get a good look at him, he winked at me. There was no way I was putting him down after that.
From that instant, a bond grew and we had lots of great moments together. Chewy had way more personality than I ever expected out of pet. He liked hiding in the sleeves of my sweatshirts and sitting on my shoes. He would respond to my voice and do little tricks for treats. Occasionally he would try to steal pencils from me. When I was upset by soon-to-be ex boyfriends, he would bark at them to let them know they'd better shape up. Of course, he always winked at me when I would wink at him.
Since I would bring him home from college, Chewy also touched everyone in my family. They seemed to like him so much that they were disappointed if I ever showed up without him. My grandparents even let him in their house. Although they lived on a farm and had lots of dogs and cats, no animals (other than Chewy) were ever allowed in the house.
The years went by and Chewy put up with roommate's cats and moving all over the place (4 different states in 5 years). I think he actually enjoyed traveling. He always got excited when he saw the travel cage.
Last fall, my grandparents were moved into an assisted living place due to my grandfather's failing health. Chewy was a hit at the home and never failed to cheer up my grandparents. Right before Thanksgiving, I was called home. My grandmother had a stroke and had less than a week to live. Chewy was extra cuddly during those rough couple days when my grandmother died. Little did I know he needed the cuddling as much as me.
When I woke up the day after my grandmother's funeral, I thought the worst was over. Then I found Chewy laying down and having a very hard time breathing. My mother called her vet friend and got him to open the pet clinic early. As we drove to the clinic, I saw my poor boy going through the same symptoms that my grandmother had just gone through. He had the death rattle and the smell of death was looming in air. While the vet was examining him, I felt his little heart beat rapidly and then slow down drastically. Chewy started to panic and looked at me for help. I moved him closer to the oxygen cone and waited for the vet's opinion. Unfortunately, she confirmed that his heart was failing and that he had less than the 12 hours to live. I told my little boy that it would be okay and that my grandmother would take care of him. He gave me one last wink before I handed him over to the vet to be put down.
Chewy's death was just one more blow to our family. By this time, my grandfather had been put on hospice care and given a month to live. It seemed that we didn't have anything good to look forward to. A great void had been created in my life and I was having trouble sleeping without the wheel noise in the background. I had to cover up the cage because I couldn't stand to look at a reminder that my friend for 9 years was gone.
Then about two weeks later, my mother called me and asked if I was going to get a new chinchilla. She told me that my grandfather had been asking every day since I had left. At that point, I decided to start looking. Unfortunately it was the Christmas season and most breeders had stop selling. My grandfather asked and got daily updates about my chinchilla hunt. My mother printed out the pictures of potential chinchillas and took them to him.
Finally I had found a breeder near my parents' place that not only had a chinchilla but was willing to sell him to me. Since I live 5 hours away, my parents went to pick him up. They immediately took him to my grandfather for approval. My grandfather had his 1st laugh and smile since my grandmother's passing. Until his death 2 1/2 weeks later, he asked about how the new chinchilla, Bandit, was doing.
Thank you Chewy for showing me the difference a pet can make in someone's life. Your unconditional love touched everyone in my family as well as my friends. You always made me smile...even when you were being bad. I miss you dearly but I know you're keeping my grandparents company.
Although my new chinchilla, Bandit, has some big shoes to fill he's done well so far. He made a dying man's life a little bright when times were the roughest.
Remember to cherish your pets! They'll be there when you need them.
Below are some pictures of Chewy & Bandit. Chewy is the standard grey.
Having acquired a cage for babysit a snake for a while, I felt the need to get my 1st real pet in college. I went to a small breeder just outside of town. Looking over all the kits, I had hard time deciding whether or not I wanted one. I hadn't really heard of chinchillas and wasn't sure about the amount work/care they would require. After holding a few, I pick up the runt of the litter. When I held him up to get a good look at him, he winked at me. There was no way I was putting him down after that.
From that instant, a bond grew and we had lots of great moments together. Chewy had way more personality than I ever expected out of pet. He liked hiding in the sleeves of my sweatshirts and sitting on my shoes. He would respond to my voice and do little tricks for treats. Occasionally he would try to steal pencils from me. When I was upset by soon-to-be ex boyfriends, he would bark at them to let them know they'd better shape up. Of course, he always winked at me when I would wink at him.
Since I would bring him home from college, Chewy also touched everyone in my family. They seemed to like him so much that they were disappointed if I ever showed up without him. My grandparents even let him in their house. Although they lived on a farm and had lots of dogs and cats, no animals (other than Chewy) were ever allowed in the house.
The years went by and Chewy put up with roommate's cats and moving all over the place (4 different states in 5 years). I think he actually enjoyed traveling. He always got excited when he saw the travel cage.
Last fall, my grandparents were moved into an assisted living place due to my grandfather's failing health. Chewy was a hit at the home and never failed to cheer up my grandparents. Right before Thanksgiving, I was called home. My grandmother had a stroke and had less than a week to live. Chewy was extra cuddly during those rough couple days when my grandmother died. Little did I know he needed the cuddling as much as me.
When I woke up the day after my grandmother's funeral, I thought the worst was over. Then I found Chewy laying down and having a very hard time breathing. My mother called her vet friend and got him to open the pet clinic early. As we drove to the clinic, I saw my poor boy going through the same symptoms that my grandmother had just gone through. He had the death rattle and the smell of death was looming in air. While the vet was examining him, I felt his little heart beat rapidly and then slow down drastically. Chewy started to panic and looked at me for help. I moved him closer to the oxygen cone and waited for the vet's opinion. Unfortunately, she confirmed that his heart was failing and that he had less than the 12 hours to live. I told my little boy that it would be okay and that my grandmother would take care of him. He gave me one last wink before I handed him over to the vet to be put down.
Chewy's death was just one more blow to our family. By this time, my grandfather had been put on hospice care and given a month to live. It seemed that we didn't have anything good to look forward to. A great void had been created in my life and I was having trouble sleeping without the wheel noise in the background. I had to cover up the cage because I couldn't stand to look at a reminder that my friend for 9 years was gone.
Then about two weeks later, my mother called me and asked if I was going to get a new chinchilla. She told me that my grandfather had been asking every day since I had left. At that point, I decided to start looking. Unfortunately it was the Christmas season and most breeders had stop selling. My grandfather asked and got daily updates about my chinchilla hunt. My mother printed out the pictures of potential chinchillas and took them to him.
Finally I had found a breeder near my parents' place that not only had a chinchilla but was willing to sell him to me. Since I live 5 hours away, my parents went to pick him up. They immediately took him to my grandfather for approval. My grandfather had his 1st laugh and smile since my grandmother's passing. Until his death 2 1/2 weeks later, he asked about how the new chinchilla, Bandit, was doing.
Thank you Chewy for showing me the difference a pet can make in someone's life. Your unconditional love touched everyone in my family as well as my friends. You always made me smile...even when you were being bad. I miss you dearly but I know you're keeping my grandparents company.
Although my new chinchilla, Bandit, has some big shoes to fill he's done well so far. He made a dying man's life a little bright when times were the roughest.
Remember to cherish your pets! They'll be there when you need them.
Below are some pictures of Chewy & Bandit. Chewy is the standard grey.