A Death In The Family: RIP Bandit 2002-2007

It's been a few days since the last entry to my continuing dialogue on the local weather. It's not that it's been calm and warm, because it hasn't, but as often happens in life more important things have taken precedent.

Yesterday evening one of our beloved chinchillas, Bandit [aka: the Frito Bandito] passed away. We noticed last week that he had slowed down and wasn't really eating. We did everything we could to try and nurse him back to health but it was no use. He was shivering on the bottom of his pen yesterday so we snuggled him up in soft warm cloth and held him. We called around to what vets are available on a Sunday night here in the middle of nowhere land and were told that the best they could do for us was to agree to examine him but from the symptoms we described it was unlikely he wouldlast much longer. They were right.

We held him to provide warmth and comfort. He seemed to appreciate the warmth because he had been shivering in his little hutch. Usually not one for snuggling Bandit took full advantage of the warm dark bower we had created for him. He lay in our arms for several hours until he had what I can only describe as a seizure. After that he was still but for his breathing and we realized that Bandit had had a stroke, a not uncommon result when chinchillas have an illness, and he would not be coming back. He lay for a while laboring to breathe. That bothered me the most. All but gone, his body hung on as long as it could. I cannot stand the thought that he suffered at all. Thankfully he did not continue long after that. His breathing slowly subsided, he gave a shudder and finally was still.

We sat with him for a long time after that. Just patting him and talking to him and telling him how much we would miss him and how sorry we both were that his life had been so short. He was only four. Just an adolescent in the chinchilla world where they can live as long as 25 years and the average life span is over 10yrs. Bandit had black fur rather than the common gray. I can only imagine his breeding had contributed to his small size. He as only half as large as our other chins. But he made up for it with spunk. Chinchillas are quick, active and spry little animals. They're known jumpers and climbers and when they take off you'd better have your running shoes on. Bandit could run with the best of 'em. He was the quickest of all the chins and the most acrobatic. He also had a habit of forcing himself into tight spaces and falling asleep. Much to our surprise. Once we found him pressed between the pen and the wall asleep. From then on his nick name was "Pelt, the wonder chin". Our little contortionist.

Bandit was a sweet little guy. He came to live with us in the fall of '02 when he was only about 9months old.  He was friendly and personable but not fond of being held. Although he had no problem having a seat on your lap or next to you on the arm of a chair. He just didn't want anything to slow him down I guess. It is unfortunate that he was a bit of an outcast. Our other chins get along but none of them were particularly fond of Bandit. They would chase him and later bark at him when he got out to play alone. I never understood why he irritated them so much. But he made friends with our guinea pig and even had a thing going with the cat where they would play 'catch the tail'. She would sit on top of his pen and he would try to crab her tail through the mesh. She would curl and uncurl her tail and he would try to sneak up on her and catch it while she wasn't looking. I know you may be thinking .oO(they weren't playing) but I promise you, they were.

It's hard to accept that we will never see Bandit again. I loved him more than I can adequately express. The loss is deeply felt.
Unfortunately since Bandit was a pet I can expect no understanding or sympathy from anyone. I'm sure people will tell me they are sorry, those that don't laugh or make stupid ignorant comments about replacing him. It's times like these when I am reminded that the current convention in human society is not to acknowledge the sentience or value of any life other than human. Even those strange few who wrongly assume a pet is some kind of child substitute are devaluing the importance and individuality of the animal. They are not replacements for anything. They are important and loved and valued as they are. Besides, who in their right mind would want a kid?

Rest In Peace Bandit. I know you crossed the rainbow bridge to discover joy and friends and peace, but we who are left behind will always miss you.