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