Question:
I am wondering if any of you are as paranoid as I am with leaving your chinchillas in the care of another person while you go on vacation? When I refer to 'another person' I mean someone that is not living with you. There was a massive power outage today in the U.S. that affected New York to Detroit and I think even parts of Canada. I can't imagine being on vacation and having a power outage occur especially in excessive heat. I refuse to go anywhere during the summer months because of this. Dave and I went to England a year ago for two weeks and left the chins in the care of my good friend and her girlfriend. I felt confident leaving the chinnies with them but everyday I couldn't help but wondering if everyone was okay.
Am I being overly paranoid?


Answer:
The heat doesn't get too bad here but I worry a lot. When I was away for a week last year my mum came in every other day to feed and water the kids, but this year I got a friend to move in for two weeks while I was gone and it felt so much better.


Answer:
I was worried leaving my babies and I was leaving them wih Tim. Every time I called hime I would enquire about them and make sure everything was fine. They were more than ok in his care but I could not help but worry anyway.


Answer:
Denise, I worry too. But, at least they are relatively low maintenance (in that the "pet sitter" only really needs to worry about their water & their food if you're only gone for a few days), so I am okay.
I was quite worried when I went to Quebec last summer and was gone for 6 weeks, but everything was just fine


Answer:
I think I'll worry a lot more whenever Tim and I will be travelling together. I have a pet loving friend here in town that offered to take care of the girls, but with TInsel needing medication three times daily I'll be fretting about my friend making all the medication times.


Answer:
We worry as well when we're away. Last Christmas we took a vacation to Florida to visit family and we called home almost every night to make sure our friend had remembered to feed them.
Just as a side note, we offer a temporary lodging service for anyone willing to come here to drop their chinchillas off. We have an extra room where they can stay in. If you're ever interested, check it out at www.thedustbath.com/lodging.html
There's also a lodging service run by Suzie (?) at AZ Chins, I believe. So if Arizona is closer to anyone and you want a place to drop chinchillas off, that's another option.
Libby


Answer:
I saw that service on your web site thedustbath and thought it was absolutely fantastic! Unfortunately, AZ and CO are a little far from British Columbia and Canada


Answer:
Denise, that is the first thing I thought about today with the power outage...what if it was hot and you had chins? I worry about my chins when I am away too...it's a natural reaction. My mom usually takes care of them and one time Jason's mom did. They are both great with them and make sure they get a treat every day.


Answer:
Hmmm......makes someone wonder if they should get backup generators. Fortunately we have a basement that stays cool, electricity or no electricity, so overheating isn't an issue, but before three months ago........that was a different story. I wonder what the cost of a backup generator for home use would be. Anyone know?
Libby


Answer:
I have been thinking the very thing. we are supposed to go to Europe for christmas.. and I dont have anyone here that I would trust enough with my kids.. well my friend.. but Im not so sure that she is willing (even tho I have taken care of her pets while she was away) I live about 15 miles out of town and I dont know if she wants to drive that every day just to take care of my kids.. so I dont know what Im going to do. there is someone else.. but I dont know if I trust them being in my house. it would be easier if I had 1 or 2 chins.. but with 8 and 5 different cages to deal with.. (especially Livvies cage )I wouldnt be able to bring them to someone elses house.