At the Mercy of a Furry Prima Donna

It didn't happen overnight. The first few days everyone was just acclimating. We were getting used to having another little creature to take care of and keep comfortable, he was getting used to his surroundings and smells.

Even after the first week it was mostly the occassional "look how cute and soft he is. Isn't that funny when he does such and such."

Slowly, without even realizing it he started taking over.

Now, three years later we flip open our phones to show people photos and videos of Hugo when they ask what a chinchilla is. I report to my husband every morning, much to his dismay, the latest cute stretch or trick Hugo did. (even if it is identical to something he did just the week before)

If he barks in the middle of the night, usually because he is lonely, one of us goes running out there like the house is on fire to make sure everything is okay. We could be watching TV, all comfortable on the couch, but if one of us looks up and he is pouting or laying on his side one of us will go check on him.

We worry about him when we are not home. We worry if the house is too warm or cold. When we are away on vacation, if we don't hear from our chin-sitters after a few days there are numerous text or voice messages until we get a report back that everything is a-okay.

When we were away for our wedding and honeymoon we had a camera set up so we could look in on him from time to time.

I am sure some people think we are ridiculous. They would say he is only an animal, but he is an animal that we volunteered to love and care for.





Besides, with a face like this, how could anyone resist?