Chinchilla Community Forums

Chinchillas => Memorials => Topic started by: Jo Ann on April 03, 2007, 07:08:15 AM

Title: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Jo Ann on April 03, 2007, 07:08:15 AM

::silly::Last night I talked to a lady I met at the Nationals.  It was her first show and her little violet she had purchased as a "pet-only" from Ann Ingram, came in second place in the violets, at the MCBA Nationals.  She said it did look kinda rough when she bought it as a kit, but when it cam into prime, it was like the ugly duckling that became a swan.  (This is why many of the ole timers will not sell a chin until it gets 6 months old or older ... they have seen the same thing happen to many times.)

    She and one of her chins she lost, Billy, are featured on the Oxbow website right now.  She wrote a very special poem for it ... I cried when I was reading it ... it speaks so much of how most of us feel about our chin/chins ...  I would like to share it with you ... if you have lost a special chin, you will know what I mean ...

Precious Chinchilla in a Locket
by Donna Sue Burk

Precious chinchilla in a locket
that lays next to my heart
I will always love you
As I did from the start.

You were right beside me
Through the darkest of my days
It was your kind and gentle nature
That made me want to stay.

Now I hold you in my arms
Your breath still warm against my hand
Our hearts still beat together
And I wonder if you understand.

Through the hours that I held you
Before the light did leave your soul
I knew a way to keep you
Forever in my hold.

I snipped the hair from around your eyes
So I would always see
The beauty that surrounds me
Even in times of need.

I snipped the hair from around your ears
So I would always hear
Music in the distance
To quiet my fears.

I snipped the hair from across your back
To bring me strength in time of need
And the power of your essence
Would always be with me.

I snipped the hair from around your heart
That beat in time with mine
So I would know that love would find me
At some distant time.

And so, your life slipped out of mine
On a quiet, Winter like day
But I knew that a part of you
Was always here to stay.

Precious chinchilla in a locket
That lays next to my heart
I will always love you
Even though we had to part.

 

She did ask if I knew of a good chinchilla vet in the Indianapolis Indiana area ... all help will be appreciated.   
Thanks!

::wave::
Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on April 03, 2007, 10:26:12 AM

How beautiful Jo Ann
And that Billy was one handsome chin eh! ::nod::

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: jmrothermel on April 03, 2007, 11:20:29 AM

 ::cry222:::  :'(  ::cry222:::

Beautiful!

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Stacy on April 03, 2007, 02:05:21 PM

 :'(

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Summer on April 03, 2007, 04:35:49 PM

 :'( That say's it all.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: ThreeLilChins on June 04, 2007, 05:47:45 PM

 :'(

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Summer on June 04, 2007, 05:54:49 PM

 :'(  Just Beautiful!  :'(

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: tenniskris on June 04, 2007, 07:41:58 PM

I'm crying again!  What a beautiful poem.  I printed it out so that I can read it whenever I feel sad.  THANKS!!!!   :'(

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Summer on July 14, 2007, 10:41:55 AM

I could hardly read as the tears came down my face. :'( I too printed some out so that I can read it whenever I need to. I put one in the chin room,car and in my bedroom. Thank you Donna for helping me though a tough time. Your poem bought much comfort to me.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Sweetnessheart on July 20, 2007, 09:11:29 PM

Dear Donna,

Thank you for writing such a beautiful poem.

This web site shows that chinchillas are a part of each of our lives.  We forget sometimes what their little lives can mean to us.  Like in your case Billy stood beside you when you needed him most and you stood beside Billy when he needed you most.  Your relationship was and still is very special!

We all need to thank you for writing such a poem to remind us what life is like with chinchillas...the seeing, the listening, the feeling, the strength, and most of all the love that our chinchillas bring to each and every one of us day after day.

So with that....THANK YOU,  DONNA!

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Deanna on November 24, 2007, 06:49:58 AM

Quote from: Jo Ann on April 03, 2007, 07:08:15 AM

::silly::Last night I talked to a lady I met at the Nationals.  It was her first show and her little violet she had purchased as a "pet-only" from Ann Ingram, came in second place in the violets, at the MCBA Nationals.  She said it did look kinda rough when she bought it as a kit, but when it cam into prime, it was like the ugly duckling that became a swan.  (This is why many of the ole timers will not sell a chin until it gets 6 months old or older ... they have seen the same thing happen to many times.)

    She and one of her chins she lost, Billy, are featured on the Oxbow website right now.  She wrote a very special poem for it ... I cried when I was reading it ... it speaks so much of how most of us feel about our chin/chins ...  I would like to share it with you ... if you have lost a special chin, you will know what I mean ...

Precious Chinchilla in a Locket
by Donna Sue Burk

Precious chinchilla in a locket
that lays next to my heart
I will always love you
As I did from the start.

You were right beside me
Through the darkest of my days
It was your kind and gentle nature
That made me want to stay.

Now I hold you in my arms
Your breath still warm against my hand
Our hearts still beat together
And I wonder if you understand.

Through the hours that I held you
Before the light did leave your soul
I knew a way to keep you
Forever in my hold.

I snipped the hair from around your eyes
So I would always see
The beauty that surrounds me
Even in times of need.

I snipped the hair from around your ears
So I would always hear
Music in the distance
To quiet my fears.

I snipped the hair from across your back
To bring me strength in time of need
And the power of your essence
Would always be with me.

I snipped the hair from around your heart
That beat in time with mine
So I would know that love would find me
At some distant time.

And so, your life slipped out of mine
On a quiet, Winter like day
But I knew that a part of you
Was always here to stay.

Precious chinchilla in a locket
That lays next to my heart
I will always love you
Even though we had to part.

 

She did ask if I knew of a good chinchilla vet in the Indianapolis Indiana area ... all help will be appreciated.   
Thanks!

::wave::
Jo Ann

...
I know this hasn't been posted in a while, but....
I CRIED TOO!!!
So sorry for her loss!

 ::cry222::: ::cry222::: ::cry222:::

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on December 30, 2007, 06:07:42 AM

Hi Deanna,
     Thank you for replying to my poem to Billy. He was so special to me that loosing him was almost to much, so I just have to remember that I will be with him again some day. I am glad to hear that you are taking care of Otis and be sure to enjoy him everyday. Every chinchinchilla is special in their own way, and they all need love.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Deanna on December 31, 2007, 06:05:29 PM

You are darn skippy!!! (That's a good thing; it means you are right!)   ;)

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Missy8964 on April 14, 2008, 08:00:08 PM

wow.  that brought a tear to my eye.  my boyfriend too.   that is such a touching poem   

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Volley on May 14, 2009, 01:39:01 PM

Donna, you took the words straight from my heart. I wish I could artfully describe the loss of a loved chinchilla, but I know I could never describe it as you have here.

Whether we're able to voice it, write it, or illustrate it another way, our chins always know how we're feeling. And I know all of our lost furry ones know that we miss them.

To Billy and Volley! Here's to their time on earth with us, and to the eternity they will have in chinchilla heaven. They will both have lots of company up there.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on July 24, 2009, 06:02:08 PM

Thank you for the kind words about the poem. I am sure that Volley and Billy know that we felt so much love for them. Our little angels will play together at the Rainbow Bridge until we come for them. Until then, they remain in that special part of our heart.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Hoppinchins on July 25, 2009, 02:42:53 PM

Aww, thats a sweet but sad poem.  ::cry222:::

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on August 30, 2009, 03:39:19 PM

I am so glad that you liked the poem. I think that is how we feel when we loose one that is very close to us. I know that Billy would be happy that you cared enough to reply. I print out all responses to the poem and put it on his memorial shelf. Thank you, Donna

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Hoppinchins on September 02, 2009, 08:21:10 PM

Aww, thats really sweet. I like that idea of a memorial shelve.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: LindyLu on November 22, 2009, 02:11:45 PM

That poem made me cry.
Did you really snip some hairs from your chin?

I was petting Schroeder's soft little body yesterday morning. His hair is so beautiful.
I think it would just make me sad to keep any of it though.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on November 23, 2009, 02:10:16 AM

It was very sad, but yes I did take some little pieces of his fur and I had saved a couple whiskers that fell out over the years. The fur and whiskers are in a very tiny little bag by his urn. The poem is on a sheet of paper that is light blue with white clouds on it, which is framed and sitting behind the urn. The little bag is by the urn. It was very hard for me to take the fur, but I just telling myself it will be ashes later. Now, I am glad that I have it. Thank you for your kind words, and I am so sorry for your loss.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on January 23, 2010, 12:50:07 PM

January 23, today is the day that my sweet Billy passed away, and is a very hard day for me. I have other sweet loving chins, but I have never had the connection with a chin that I had with Billy. Billy was that one special one that is with you every day till you get to the Rainbow Bridge.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Tiffany's Chinchillas on July 28, 2010, 02:10:05 AM

Donna, those are very sweet words you spoke to Billy. He was well taken care of and couldn't have had a better chin mom. May the sweet guy rest in peace and in your heart for all eternity.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: 1newChinmom1 on July 28, 2010, 07:23:23 AM

 :'(  Now I know you all understand, and share, my feelings for our furry darlings.  And I have found the right place for friendship and chin advice.  Thank you for sharing this poem.  ::cry222:::

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on August 26, 2010, 01:22:25 AM

Thank you for your post 1 new chin mom. I hope the poem helped some, but it takes time to learn to deal with it. However, you never forget. The fond memories as well as the pain will always be there.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on August 30, 2010, 02:27:36 AM

For Lindy Lu and 1 chin mom, you can get paper that is light blue with clouds on it at Kindos to print the poem on and it makes it very special.
The necropsie that I had done was done that day and some labs were sent off to other states and came back in two weeks. This was not done on Billy but another chin that I had pass suddenly.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Courtney on September 05, 2010, 12:34:33 AM

That's beautuful. I lost a chinchilla Peeps that I raised because her parents passed away. That poem reminds me of her. It's been a year but I still miss her with all my heart. ::cry222:::

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on September 08, 2010, 03:44:30 AM

Thanks Courtney, I am glad that you liked the poem. I am so sorry to hear about Peeps, but I am sure he was very greatful to have you to care for him after he lost his parents. What happened to him?

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: BambiLove on September 15, 2010, 11:49:41 PM

I love this poem. It made me cry even though i've never lost a chinchilla, but i would always cry when someone post something in the memorial section ::cry222::: I don't know what i would happen to me if my chinchilla pass away  :'( I love him so much.
R.I.P. Billy, and other chinchillas that passed away. I'm glad that you are no longer in pain. I hope you find a place where you can run and play all you want, and be a happy little chinchilla that you are.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: shirley on June 24, 2011, 08:00:18 PM

:chin: ::angel2::

What a beautiful, loving poem from a dedicated chin Mother, Billy must have been the love of your life. I know he was very precious to you. I also know he knows he was loved. Thank you for expressing yourself & sharing so that others may relish in your admiration of him.

Shirley

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Squirrel_Butt on September 13, 2011, 05:43:11 PM

I do the same thing with my chins. Every whisker they shed, all the clumps of fur they shed, I have kept in individual boxes. For some reason, it helps a little bit with the sadness.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on March 28, 2013, 01:00:40 AM

I read what you wrote again and thought I do the same thing. After every good combing, I put the fur in a glass jar so that you can see the color and the fur. When the chin passed, I have a whole jar of fur to look at and remember him by. I use to do the snips of fur in little clear bags, but now I like the larger jar and I have so much more of him.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: GrayRodent on March 28, 2013, 06:23:19 AM

When I had my chin put to sleep at the vet they had an interesting idea they do for their customers. They took an air drying poly clay disk and put impressions of his feet in it. The front feet were on one side and the back feet are on the other. It's kind of goofy but it's an interesting conversation piece.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Squirrel_Butt on May 02, 2013, 11:47:39 AM

Im so angry my ex made me get rid of Frisbee's fur  ::chinmad::   but I found some more of hers as I still have her bed that I put into the wash after her passing and it had lots of fur matted to it when it came out ::chinhappy:: so I win :)

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on August 06, 2013, 12:04:20 AM

Today (August 5th) would have been Billy's Birthday, and I thought about his sweet love that he gave me for the years that he was here. I miss having him so much. I have had many chins since Billy, but there is always that special one. In answer to my last two posts, I saved the fur mentioned in the poem in a glass frame with the pieces of fur noted which they are. Now, when ever I comb one of my chins, I take the fur out of the comb and put it in their jar. I have a little jar for each chin. I do have a flat piece of clay with his front and back foot prints and his name on it. The clay foot prints are a great idea, but break very easy. Happy Birthday, Billy, I love you.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on August 05, 2014, 06:51:19 PM

Happy Birthday Billy, we will never forget you.

Title: Re: Chinchilla in a Locket
Post by: Donna on August 05, 2015, 04:18:22 AM

Happy Birthday Billy. I miss your sweet love and all the fun that we had together. You were the one out of my decades of chinchillas that was the special one. You taught me a lot on how to care for your kind and I have after you, so others would have the love and care you did. Every night during chin play time, I remember you running around the room like a wild man, and then going up the steps to your cage and waiting for me to close the door. I have dearly loved all since your passing, but you will always be the number one.