Handbag
was rescued from the San Diego Humane Society when he was five years
old. He is an amazing chinchilla. He's very funny, easy-going and completely
tolerant of me picking him up, putting a hat on, etc. He has just over 200
friends on his facebook page, "HandbagtheChinchilla." He is just the light
of my day. He loves to come out and play and has many videos on Youtube of
his antics. I could not ask for a more wonderful pet. Handbag was his
previous name so I kept it, since he was five years old and already was used to it.
I think the reason Handbag is so special is because when I got him, I knew
nothing about chinchillas except for their basic care. I was unaware they
generally didn't like to be picked up or touched that much. When I got
Handbag from the San Diego Humane Society, they told me out of all the
chinchillas that had come through there in years past, Handbag was unique in
his personality and easy-goingness. When he got to my house, I remember I
made a video of his first day. Little did I know how wrong I was about why
he was nervous!
Handbag came into a very noisy, busy house. At the time I had Mudslide the
dog and a cat. Handbag quickly turned into the alpha animal of the house.
This is surprising, because chinchillas are considered prey animals and tend
to run from other animals. The cat has since passed and the dog is clearly
not in charge, Handbag is. He is delightful in so many ways. I can pick him
up, carry him around, let him out for play where he completely interacts
with me by climbing, jumping and chasing. One time I was laying on my back
and Handbag would jump on a chair, and then jump onto my belly, over and
over, like I was a trampoline.
Nothing seems to bother this little guy. He doesn't mind noises, other
animals, nor a very overwhelming mother.
