Chinchilla Fail: Mittens Falls In The Toilet
Late last night, while in the midst of studying for finals and playing Grand Theft Auto IV, Mittens was whining in his cage with his little belly pressed against the bars. This means only one thing. “Let me out!”
So, after a while, I caved, and opened up his cage, giving him free reign of my bedroom. He ran around, jumping on my desk, scampering across my bed, hiding under my couch… his usual, adorable deal. I kept working on my final papers, until I heard furious, frantic squeaking coming from my bathroom.
I bolted over to my bathroom, only to spot Mittens in the toilet, sitting in the cold water, attempting in vain to climb out. I’d have been squeaking a lot too, if I had fallen inside of a giant toilet. Poor guy. I scooped him right up and called up my vet, who told me I’d have to blow dry him til he was completely dry. The problem with chinchillas, is that they can’t get wet. Not because they are gremlins or anything, but because of their super sensitive skin.
So Mittens was treated like quite the diva for the next hour or so, bundled in a towel, having his fur blow dried. No, the blow drier wasn’t actually that close to him while turned on (see picture above). That was just for the picture. I had to keep it several feet away from him.
Lesson learned, keep the bathroom door closed.
I have to do the same when Sam and Vada run around - but in this case, Mittens encountered an Epic Fail!
Comment by Tim — April 30, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Eric: This is a chinchilla emergency! Put me through to the Vet!
Receptionist: Sorry, sir, but you will have to be more specific.
Eric: My chinchilla fell into the toilet! He is in there and crying! I don’t know what to do!
Receptionist: Listen, we don’t appreciate prank phone calls.
Comment by Jackie! — April 30, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
poor little Pika
Comment by Heather — May 1, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
how does he get clean if he can’t get wet? Is he super stinky? I always keep the toilet seat closed for fear of my cats getting in there. I’ve finally trained my boyfriend to do the same. I told him if they get in there, he has to give them a bath. Both have claws.
Comment by funnyjoanne — May 2, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
I know. Tears and Adam Sandler don’t correlate. Cute pics for your chinchillas ^_^ how do I make my site as uber awesome as yours? eric smith indeed rocks.
Comment by Faye — May 4, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
oops i meant chinchilla (singular) and i’m glad you were the hero of the day for the poor guy
Comment by Faye — May 4, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
This is my greatest Chinchilla fear (mine’s Darcy). I’ve become obsessive about making sure the lid is down.
So glad to see little Mittens survived unscathed.
Comment by Maria — May 4, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
ack! He’s so cute! I just want to stuff him in my bra and take him home. Don’t worry about that one moving breast Eric, it’s just cancer.. yeah cancer.
Comment by Heather — May 5, 2008 @ 2:07 pm