Having a pet can enhance our lives and touch our hearts beyond measure. Knowing that most times we will outlive them is not only a saddened reality that appears a lifetime away, but also one that is not faced willingly. Today, the clouds rain tears of sadness in my world as I was forced to face that reality. I held my little 16 and 1/2 year old chinchilla Cubbie, in my arms as he took his last breath. He was family, and I sadly though proudly reminisce... Many years ago when we lived in an apartment we were not allowed to have a larger animal such as a dog or cat. So, we researched and decided to get a chinchilla. We found one that was 2 months old and we named him Cubbie because he resembled a little black bear. He was so tiny and afraid of people and as with any chinchilla, had to be domesticated to overcome fear, and we did so with human touch. In no time he learned to love us and knew that we were not only his friends but also, family. He was such an interesting little fellow. He gave kisses, would come when you called him, ran- hopped around the house, touched noses with our family dogs through the cage, loved to be sung to, enjoyed to chew on his timothy hay and pieces of wood, and most of all, loved his treat of 1-2 cheerios a day. He had a strong personality and would occasionally organize his cage by pushing his bowls around, if I failed to place them in the exact location as before. To a chinchilla, each part of their cage is considered a separate room just like rooms in a house to a human. He would sit on the comfy bed we had for him in his three-tiered cage and had a small plastic castle to hide under when he felt the need for "animal down time." He slept during the day, and was active in the evening and nighttime hours. He established a routine just like us.
He may have been small in stature, but had a personality and heart as big as that of his canine family friends. Losing a pet is heart wrenching, and we will miss him terribly. As a pet owner, we grieve for our furry family friends because we have loved them and they will always be a part of our soul. They are our friends and companions. They bless our lives with unconditional love, and they see a reflection of beauty inside each of us that only their eyes can see. They brand their footprints on our hearts. Their passing devastates our world and only time can heal as we honor them with tears of sorrow and joy. Cubbie, I will miss saying, "Good morning little Cubber" to you each morning and watching you greet me by putting your little hands on the cage and turning your head to look at me. I will miss holding you and singing, "You Are My Sunshine" while you fell asleep in my arms. I will miss your unconditional love. Your canine friends, Baylee and Gracie miss you already. They've encircled your cage numerous times looking for you. They both ate very little this morning, and Baylee is sleeping by your cage as I write this. They sense the void and human sadness. They make themselves supportive by giving wet kisses and touching my hand with their paws, while grieving in their own way. The years have come and gone too quickly, and it seems just like yesterday when you were small. Letting go is so very hard to do...
We thank you for loving us. We will honor your memory, and cherish each and every way you touched our lives. We will grieve and in time, be able to smile when our sadness is replaced by joyful memories of your life once lived. Go now little Cub, in the arms of the angels to Rainbow Bridge. And when our time on earth is done, we will meet you there. And as in the poem, "we will be in joyful reunion, never to be parted again" and cross Rainbow Bridge together....

God bless you little one.
Always and forever, from my heart to yours Cubbie,
I love you so...

Annie OOOXXX