Remembering Cherry Chinchilla

Cherry Chinchilla
November 18, 2006 - January 2, 2009

I will miss you, my little Cherry.

A baby picture, this is Cherry & her twin brother Charlie. Can you tell which is which? Neither can I in the photos. I had to handle them and 'inspect' to see which was which. Either way, they are enjoying their nap.
February 24, 2007, just after I 'adopted' them.

Baby in the bathtub, all nice and clean... with a wee bit of shaving on its head.
I think it's Charlie Chinchilla in the tub and Cherry beside, but that is just a guess.
February 25, 2007.

I think this was Cherry Chinchilla.
February 25, 2007.

Having grown somewhat, Charlie & Cherry moved from the bird cage they'd been in, into a real chinchilla cage that I'd bought at auction some time back. I used them for rabbits when I first started breeding and showing Netherland Dwarf rabbits, then got bigger cages as time passed. I love this shot, think it's Charlie, but it could be Cherry.
March 24.

As soon as the twins got a bit older, I put each in its own cage. This is Cherry Chinchilla peeking out for a wee visit with me, and of course a photo op.
May 25, 2008.

I will miss my Cherry Chinchilla, though I can not be sad for her. I believe that though the body dies, the spirit never does... so to me, Cherry is not dead, she just passed out of the body into a new and wonderful experience. Last night, I sat here with Cherry laying on my chest, too weak to lift her head, each breath hard work to take. I talked to her, telling her it was okay to go, and that I love her and will see her again. I even read to her about the Rainbow Bridge... and still she kept breathing. I didn't think she'd see daylight again, and yet she did. Today it was like each breath should be the last, and it wasn't. Finally I was able to speak with someone about how to help her 'make her transition'. He said that from what people have said after having near death experiences with freezing, it is not a bad way to go, there is no pain involved. He suggested I put Cherry out where she could enjoy some fresh air for awhile. It was around 4pm this afternoon when I knew I could not avoid it, I had to help her to pass to the next phase of her life. I gently put her into her travel cage and closed it so she'd be protected... and I put her out onto my step in the cool, fresh air. She didn't freeze, it wasn't cold enough for that at the time, but when I brought her back in she had left her body that could no longer sustain life.

I am sad for me... and I am happy for Cherry Chinchilla. She takes with her a little piece of my heart.