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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2016)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL September 7, 2016 7A Pet Cremation Dignifi ed Options for Our Faithful Friends At Smith Lund Mills we believe that pets are an important member of any family. When a pet dies it can be very diffi cult time for everybody involved. We understand the feelings of losing a pet and our professional, caring staff will be ready to assist you during this time of loss. The Kidnapped Chinchilla I t is not just cats and dogs with fl uffy tails and interesting tales! Meet Char- leigh, a four-year old Chinchilla, the fi rst to grace this 10-year-old column! When Kristen and her BFF walked into a pet store, they had no idea what was about to unfold. Being raised with myriad pets — turtles, dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and hamsters — Kristen was window shopping. “I had never seen a Chinchilla before or since,” said Kristen. “But the minute I saw Charleigh, I was in love!” The sales purr-son handed the dandelion- like-grey-fl uff ball to her, and the minute her hands sunk into its incredibly soft fur, it was all over! “I fell in love with the ridiculously soft love bug and had to have her,” purr-actica- bly squealed Kristen! “I have always had pets, but never a chin. Being an exotic animal Charleigh was expensive and nei- ther of us could afford her, so we did the only economical, heart-led thing — ‘share’ Charleigh’s parenting and cost. Our deal was to alternate months and shuttle her, and her cage, back and forth. I was elated! We bought a book and asked a million questions on Chinchillas and their health tips.” Chinchilla’s resemble an oversize, fat squirrel with adorable Mickey Mouse round ears, button noses and expressive brown eyes. They are native to the South American Andes and live in “herds” of 100 at eleva- tions up to 14,000 feet. They can live for 20 years and are 16-20 inches long, which includes their bushy tails. “Charleigh is easygoing,” said Kristen, “and has no problem with car rides. But, after eight months of house swapping, I realized my friend was not a fi t pet parent — or a good friend.” So Kristen made the agonizing decision on behalf of Charleigh to keep her. “My friend’s smoking was only one of her habits that were not healthy for a small pet’s tiny lungs,” said Kristen. “What irked me the most was that she handled ‘my’ Charleigh roughly. Since the day of my ‘kidnapping’ Charleigh, I’ve never heard from her!” Everyone marvels at how soft Charlie is. Touching her is like putting your hand in a warm cloud, or having it disappear into a bowl of dandelion fl uffs. She weighs two pounds and 1 3/4 of that appears to be luxu- rious fur! Kristen’s boyfriend built Charleigh an amazing hutch. “Up is better than long for their habitats,” advises Kristen. “Chins are jumpers so they appreciate shelves at different levels. Her wide chicken-wire home-hutch has added ladders and includes her favorite green- fl uffy hammock for her to chill in or nap.” Charleigh’s all time favorite thing to do is take dust baths! The silty bathing dust is purr-chased at pet stores and she uses it to clean her fur. “Charleigh loves her dust baths so much,” shares Kristen, “that when I can’t catch her, I trick her by popping open the dust can’s lid. The sound reveals her hiding spot as she runs over to me.” Chinchilla’s are nocturnal, so they are not a good pet for children, but great for those working night shifts or insomniacs! Char- leigh’s favorite toy is her large guinea pig dome. “She enjoys rolling around in it,” said Kristen, “and it is the cutest thing to watch her joy! Charleigh also hops around her ‘own’ room and exercises on her large hamster wheel. Having her own room re- stricts her tiny mouse type poops to a small area. But luckily, similar to rabbits they are litter trained. Her litter pan is fi lled with guinea pig bedding that I change once a week.” Chinchillas resemble a small rabbit in size and temperament. They like a buddy, and in the wild they have family groups. It is best to have them “fi xed” if you have more than one so you don’t end up with 100 in your home! Charleigh is a small pet, which fi ts perfectly into Kristen’s small home. Chinchillas don’t “talk” like dogs or cats. So they are a quiet pet, good for apartments. Kristen would not recommend Chins for children, “Don’t get a Chin unless you are prepared for their 20 year life span!” Some Chins are cuddly, some not. They are focused on being active, running, bouncing and playing. Chinchillas are in- dependent. Like a dog, they scamper over to you and jump in your lap. Then like an inquisitive cat they run off to investigate every drawer and piece of furniture. It is cruel keeping these gentle-curious mam- mals caged for hours, days, or years as some cruelly do. “Looking at Charleigh’s cute and adorable (541) 942-0185 123 S. 7th St., Cottage Grove Visit smithlundmills.com for more information. South Lane Physical Therapy LLC Did you know? Your referral is good here! No need to drive to Eugene. W. STU HOGG PT, OCS, COMT Orthopedic • Sport • Spine Photo by Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe” Kristen and her kidnaped Chinchilla, Charleigh! MARIE WILLIAMSON PTA 303 Main Street, Cottage Grove OR Phone: 541.942.6482 Fax: 541.942.6483 face and feeling her soft fuzziness makes my heart happy and my insides giggle. She is a wonderful stress reliever in all that is good, sweet and gentle on the planet.” TIPS We Want Your News! Bees can fl y 12 miles without getting lost. Albatrosses fl y 25,000 miles. And fl ying in- sects, without eyes, have no trouble what- soever fi nding their “soul mates.” Humans need GPS tracking and dating websites, leaving us to ask which species is the smart- est?! The Cottage Grove Sentinel wants to be your source for all things Cottage Grove. But we need your help! If you’ve got a news tip, we’d be glad to hear about it: Do you have great pet Tips or Tales? angelscribe@msn.com “Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/PetTipsand- Tales Adopt Loving Pets www.PetFinder.com $ PUUBHF ( SPWF 4 FOUJOFM In person: 116 N. Sixth Street, Cottage Grove Email: cgnews@cgsentinel.com Office phone: 942-3325 Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assis- tance Program. (541) 942-2789 Another dental visit? Turns out, you have better things to do with your time. Cottage Grove MEET GREET & September 17, 2016 Cottage Grove Armory • 10am –8pm The Cottage Grove Meet & Greet is unlike any other Business event you’ve ever been to. Local Businesses, Vendors and Non-Profi t Organizations join together to bring you a fun fi lled one day event. Music, Food, Wine Tastings and more. We know your time is valuable. That's why we've invested in CEREC Booth spaces are still available technology that allows for a faster experience when you need crowns, fillings or veneers. With CEREC, there's usually no need for a temporary for as low as $75.00 To reserve a space leaving more time for whatever is important to you. Implants · Teeth Whitening · New State-of-the-Art Building Dr. Brent Bitner, DDS 350 Washington, Cottage Grove (behind Better Bodies) 942-7934 CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems. PHOTO: Jami CALL DIANE O’RENICK 541-513-0352 and return visit. Everything is done in one visit, in about an hour - Come see what your community has to offer. Climbed Everest. Blind. VISION Presented by KNND Radio and the Cottage Grove Sentinel Pass It On Erik Weihenmayer www.forbetterlife.org
