*cough* It’s all Roman and Jane’s fault. No really, it is. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

At the Southern Show yesterday Roman and Jane were picking up 4 chins which Graziella apparently had dumped on her doorstep (along with 5 others) some weeks ago. In my capacity as “Oooh! Chinchillas with stories, I must go see” nosy person I wandered over to look at the little chinnies. Oh they are very sweet, all 4 of them but Graziella picked up one particular slightly dopey looking male standard who just sat in her hands. That was it, I held out my hands, had a soppy chin deposited gently in them, and was instantly smitten.

Roman just looked at me and smiled, as did Jane – clearly they both knew what I was going to say (am I that transparent?! – when I volunteered to take him home with me – he has bumblefoot and something wrong with his back legs (possible arthritis? – a bit like Gregg) and he is so docile that he will probably go in with Gregg as they are both gentle and very laid back. He’ll fit in with the other Manor Misfits very well

So, currently Otto (long story behind his name but Talie and I were discussing possible names all the way home in the car is in a temporary cage in my bedroom so that he is quarantined, monitored, and generally spoiled before I try and introduce him to Gregg in a few weeks time.

Here is the little fella

You can see he hunkers down and throws his weight onto his front – this will be to relieve the weight from his back legs

Otto Hunkered Down

He even puts his bottom into the corner of the cage so he can balance – Gregg also does this so they can balance.

Otto Sitting Up

His front feet are well muscled and “thick” as in spread out because he throws his weight forward.

Otto

Yes, yes, I know – I’m a sucker for a soft chin and a sob story – I can’t help it.

The problem with knowing poeple who run a chinchilla rescue is, I come home with chins! I don’t mean to – it just happens. There’s a chin which comes in, is either a physical wreck or a sob story or needs nursing …….. or all 3 – Meet Gregg and his Mrs, Grace.

Gregg is a tiny little scrap of a chinchilla who has been living with Roman and Jane for a few weeks now. I met him when I first went to visit and was immediately smitten with his little face. Despite huge adversity, Gregg is a determined little fella and he gets around remarkably well considering he seems to have almost no control over his back legs. He munches away at his food, snuggles up to his girly, and generally seems pretty content. He also has nibbled ears which are permanently set back, making him look constantly pensive.

How Cute is This Face?

Gregg's Adapted Chinchilla Cage

I have adapted Chloe’s old cage for him so that he can get around – there’s a ramp with carpet (hessian backed pure wool) for grip so that he does not have to jump up or down onto the shelves – although, as he has proven on more than one occasion, he is perfectly capable of doing so!!  He also has Chloe’s original underfloor heated box for his comfort.

Gregg quite often stands on the ramp to eat his Readigrass or hay from the rack – Grace uses it as a springboard. She also spends a large portion of the evening/night rearranging all the cage furniture and seems to enjoy doing so as noisily as she possibly can!

Grace was a bit shy and retiring when she arrived – you can see her under the ramp in the first picture, not quite sure whether this bigger cage was acceptable or not ………..
In the last week she has come out of her shell completely!! Now when I open the door this is what I find:
“While she’s not looking I can make my escape ……… oh no! She’s seen me!! Nope, I’m not planning anything – honest”

Grace Ready to Escape

Gregg has settled in very well and seems to be enjoying his new accommodation – the heated box is proving highly addictive.
I have deliberately moved his food bowl as far away from where he sleeps as possible – Roman, Jane and I are hoping that the combination of stimulation, warmth, acupuncture, and a little exercise will help him. He is pottering about his cage with interest and likes to see what is going on when I am in the bedroom – watching TV or reading or on the laptop etc.

Interestingly, he has adapted to his disabilities and with his wobbly legs he leans against the mesh of the cage or a solid object to support himself – especially if he is washing or eating.

Gregg Leaning on the Cage Mesh

I have the feeling that nothing will stop this little chap from getting what he wants when he wants it – he’ll fit right in!

It’s not easy being a chinchilla. Life can be tough ………….. there’s all that important snoozing for a start.

Comfort is important – just cross your legs at the right angle…….

Then there’s the hammock dilemma……….. just how does one get comfy?

Sometimes its nice to sleep in your dustbath

And finally ………. what happens when your favourite hammock is either taken away for washing or you just can’t be bothered to hop up to it?

This pillow’s a bit hard!

Hammock? Nah, too much effort – teddy will do!

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So how much of a hard life do your chins endure?