My Mum's neighbour was having some building work done and was concerned about how all the dust would affect his chinchilla. So my step dad volunteered me for pet sitting duties. It'll only be for about 4 weeks he said. Up until then my closest encounter with a chinchilla was catching sight of one in Pets at Home. I knew nothing about them or how to look after them.
But I read up lots and was all prepared when he arrived. Along with a bag of Charlie Chinchilla and warnings that he was vicious
I let him out of his cage that evening and he pinged about and kept coming to sit on my feet. If I tried to touch him he squeaked at me.As the weeks went by Shadow and I got to know each other. He came out every night and pinged about before coming to rest on my feet. He never once tried to bite me and gradually got more used to being touched. I bumped into his "owners" round at Mum's and learnt that they were scared of him so he never came out of his cage. He spent his whole life alone in a cage with kids, dogs and cats charging past him. No wonder the poor boy was twitchy! Eventually my Mum persuaded them to let him stay with me. Soon after I had him neutered and got him a girlfriend. She turned out to be pregnant so he ended up with two step sons as well. It took a long time for his new Missus to accept him but he was always lovely to her and the two babies and tried so hard to be her friend. But then he'd spoil it by trying to get too friendly whenever she let her guard down
In the end I'd had enough and I got the two of them out and had stern words with them. I told them they were staying out, with me watching over them, til they were friends. A few hours laters they went home to the same cage. A couple of days later I found this - and had a little blub I must confess!
The two baby boys were neutered once they were old enough and eventually the four of them all lived together happily despite people warning me that the boys would fight over her even though they were neutered
In their new big cage Shads would love to sit on one of the high shelves with his front paws resting on his gut like a little furry budda. There the vicious beast would sit while I tickled his paunch or stick his face forward, eyes closed in bliss while I tickled him between his eyes.He was his usual self right up until the day he died. He gave me no warning that he was about to leave me. I just found him laid out on one of the lower shelves. He only stayed just over a year but he brought so much fun into my life and I'm incredibly grateful to have met him. Of course he also introduced me to chins and brought Star, Astro and Apollo into my life
Shadow was such a character. When I first met him I had no idea what chinchillas were about and I thought they must all be like him. Having now met quite a few I can appreciate just how unique he was. He was so intelligent, so cheeky and we had a special sort of bond. I think he was just grateful to have a second chance at enjoying life.
Thank you Shads for introducing me to the joys of chinchillas. For putting such pretty teeth marks in my skirting boards and for so diligently keeping my feet warm. It was an honour to know you. I just wish it could have been for longer. I will remember you always with a huge amount of love.
Oh Sarah, what a moving tribute to Sahdow 
Shadow
that is so sweet. 
Shadow 