Hello everyone!
So lets see, where to start. I have 3 human boys (well, 4 if you count the hubby! ), 2 chin boys, a canine girl and a feathered girl, AND my saltwater reef. I do love my family!
Anyway, my human boys wanted a small furry animal. We have had rats in the past, but I just didnt want to deal with the smell again. In my research, i came across chinchillas and kinda fell in love; but never took that step. We already have a fairly full house!
So, months later, I found a 6 month old male chin and a super low price. I have to admit I can be impulsive, but at least I commit. I picked up the chin, who I have named Baby Blue, and brought him last friday.
Admittedly, I knew little about thier care outside of the basics. I immediately started reading and realized a few things needed to be corrected immediately.
First off, he came with a too small wire cage. I adopted Blue from his second owner, who worked two jobs and owned 2 Rottweilers in a studio apartment. The rotties while adorable saw poor Blue as a snack, and as a result Blue was hidden in the only place she could find; the bathroom. I live in seattl, the humidity must have been awful but thats another rant. She had had him for less than 3 weeks.
So, back to the cage. I immediately threw towels over the wire and started looking for an upgrade.
That is when I came across Grumpy Jack. His owner said it was time for him and his wife to "move on" (what does that even mean?) And that they had no time for him. Jack came with a huge, double decker ferret nation cage. I was searching for the ferret nation cage when I found Jack. Knowing that chins are best kept with same sex to avoid breeding, and that they are happier in sets, I brought Jack home last monday.
Immediately, I needed to add shelves to the cage. It needed either upgraded pans or fleece liners, more toys and interesting places. I started looking at custom fleece liners, and wholley molley people are making a killing on them! The night I brought Jack home, I found some clearenced fleece blankets and started sewing. I made liners for the bottom pan, cutout and both shelves monday evening.
Tuesday saw a trip to petsmart and home depot. We picked up shelf material and hardware to mount the cardboard tunnels I found. I replaced the wire ramps with wooden ones, and stared sewing fleece hidey boxes.
So, yea. Im impulsive but commited! Both Baby Blue and Grumpy Jack are getting more comfortable. They are out for hours at night supervised in my semi chin proof bedroom. It was a disappontment to realize how much they hate being picked up, but they come see me (or use me for a launching pad) all night long if I relax with a book or a good show.
So thats us. Im hoping this is an active forum where I can meet friends and become a chin expert.
It has always been through immersing myself in a community such as this that I have learned about my other interests in commitments. I am excited to be here!
So lets see, where to start. I have 3 human boys (well, 4 if you count the hubby! ), 2 chin boys, a canine girl and a feathered girl, AND my saltwater reef. I do love my family!
Anyway, my human boys wanted a small furry animal. We have had rats in the past, but I just didnt want to deal with the smell again. In my research, i came across chinchillas and kinda fell in love; but never took that step. We already have a fairly full house!
So, months later, I found a 6 month old male chin and a super low price. I have to admit I can be impulsive, but at least I commit. I picked up the chin, who I have named Baby Blue, and brought him last friday.
Admittedly, I knew little about thier care outside of the basics. I immediately started reading and realized a few things needed to be corrected immediately.
First off, he came with a too small wire cage. I adopted Blue from his second owner, who worked two jobs and owned 2 Rottweilers in a studio apartment. The rotties while adorable saw poor Blue as a snack, and as a result Blue was hidden in the only place she could find; the bathroom. I live in seattl, the humidity must have been awful but thats another rant. She had had him for less than 3 weeks.
So, back to the cage. I immediately threw towels over the wire and started looking for an upgrade.
That is when I came across Grumpy Jack. His owner said it was time for him and his wife to "move on" (what does that even mean?) And that they had no time for him. Jack came with a huge, double decker ferret nation cage. I was searching for the ferret nation cage when I found Jack. Knowing that chins are best kept with same sex to avoid breeding, and that they are happier in sets, I brought Jack home last monday.
Immediately, I needed to add shelves to the cage. It needed either upgraded pans or fleece liners, more toys and interesting places. I started looking at custom fleece liners, and wholley molley people are making a killing on them! The night I brought Jack home, I found some clearenced fleece blankets and started sewing. I made liners for the bottom pan, cutout and both shelves monday evening.
Tuesday saw a trip to petsmart and home depot. We picked up shelf material and hardware to mount the cardboard tunnels I found. I replaced the wire ramps with wooden ones, and stared sewing fleece hidey boxes.
So, yea. Im impulsive but commited! Both Baby Blue and Grumpy Jack are getting more comfortable. They are out for hours at night supervised in my semi chin proof bedroom. It was a disappontment to realize how much they hate being picked up, but they come see me (or use me for a launching pad) all night long if I relax with a book or a good show.
So thats us. Im hoping this is an active forum where I can meet friends and become a chin expert.
It has always been through immersing myself in a community such as this that I have learned about my other interests in commitments. I am excited to be here!
