LEELER.COM

11/09/2009

One day while I was at the pet store browsing all of the animals, I noticed a man standing with a container that held a furry little creature. I approached him to get a better look but I still could not identify what it was. The man was with a girl that was employed at the pet store along with another girl that appeared to be his daughter. I inquired as to what this thing was and the girl that worked there indicated that it was a chinchilla and asked if I would like to hold him. I agreed, and she passed this little fluffy animal to me. I instantly fell in love with this calm gentle little guy. I asked how much chinchillas cost and how I could get one. She said that I could have this one if I wanted him. Without really thinking about it I immediately agreed. I asked why it was that she would be giving him away. She proceeded to tell me that chinchillas do not take water baths, that they use lava dust and because of this her mother was allergic to him and that they needed to find him another home. The man and young girl that were standing next to this employee were actually her family. They had brought the chinchilla up to the store to find a home for. Along with the chinchilla came a cage and all of the food, bowls, and treats. The young girl was crying and was very sad to see him go, but I promised to give him a good home and to give him all of the love that I could. The young girl pet him one last time and said "goodbye Otto, I love you". I brought Otto home and set everything up in the living room. He was very active for being nocturnal; I figured it was the excitement from the move that was making him this way. After settling in, he quickly went to bed for the day. For nearly 10 years Otto was a part of our family. On Saturday November 7 he passed away in his sleep. We are very sad to have lost him but we will always have the memories of him. Otto loved to eat hay and raisins', he also loved to chew on his house a 2 AM and play with our dogs. I would give anything to hold him one last time and tell him I love him. Otto, you were a good friend to me and I will miss you very much. Rest in peace my furry little guy.