Gizmo was my very first chinchilla. Unfortunately he died in May 1996 at the age of only six years. A vet, who should only have shortened his front teeth (Gizmo did not like to gnaw a lot) sent him to RAINBOWBRIDGE far to early by injecting him some vitamins and minerals. At the time time I was not aware of the fact that chinchillas can die of injections and I would never have agreed had I known. I only wanted to help...


The vet was apparently only after some extra money because his only comment afterwards was that this would happen to rodents of that age quite often. It is a shame that such irresponsible vets are still allowed to practice. Nevertheless, Gizmo will always live on in my memories.


Gizmo was a real sweetheart even though he was quite picky with his "friends". People he did not like were attacked right away. Otherwise he was the friendliest animal one can think of. When "his people" got up in the morning he requested to be caressed immediately. The parts he loved to be stroked were his neck, ears and front paws. Of course he insisted on being fed an extra big raisin before I left for work.


Gizmo demanded his daily excursions to the room. He did that by rattling his cage door for hours and hours, sometimes even throughout the whole night. He loved to explore every single corner of the room and climbed even the highest places - when it came to that he was quite inventive.


After running wild for a while it was time to snuggle up to me. He preferred to lie down on the couch between my knees and I had to cover my legs with a blanket. When he had enough of it (usually not so soon) he started biting and looking for his way out. I will never forget that sight of him - totally disheveled with his ears drooping. Just the same he liked to rest underneath or on top of the heater no matter how hot it was.


After a while he usually returned to his big cage voluntarily. It was rarely necessary to chase after him since he mostly allowed me to pick him up. As far as food is concerned he was sort of choosy. He rejected fresh fruit and vegetables and he was not exactly crazy about his hay.


Gizmo (or Mucko, Bubo... how I used to call him quite often) seldom used his wooden house but his dust bath when taking a nap. It was probably cozier for him.
He was such a happy and lovely chinchilla. I miss him and his countless peculiarities so much. He had to die far too young. But one thing is for sure - I will never ever forget my little boy Gizmo!!! There are more pictures of him on the next page.