Fight resulting in death.

[shubbles]

I'm sorry, it sounds very sad. They've mentioned it all already, so best wishes.

 

[addictedtochins]

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Orson :angel7:
I want to suggest that you don't get anymore chins (not saying you were, just saying it). You can make a baby safe cage by covering it with wire-I think it's called hardware cloth- but its a roll of wire "fencing" with squares like 1/2 inch in size.
Welcome to CnH, Glad you are here

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

I want to suggest that you don't get anymore chins (not saying you were, just saying it). You can make a baby safe cage by covering it with wire-I think it's called hardware cloth- but its a roll of wire "fencing" with squares like 1/2 inch in size.
Welcome to CnH, Glad you are here

Thanks. No, I wasn't planning on getting anymore. Thank you very much for the information on baby-safe-ing with hardware cloth. I googled it and I am pretty sure this is what you mean.

As an aside, I have been getting unwanted feedback from family and friends (none of whom own chins), suggesting that I return mork to the SPCA, which I am not going to do. I never really wanted to bring him back anyway, I suppose I asked this forum because I wanted some reassurance that I was doing the right thing by him. I have told them that it was, in fact, my fault and not Mork's, but everyone seems unconvinced, and I feel really bad that Mork is now going to only get attention and love from me. No one will be mean to him, but my roommate used to take him out and pick him up all of the time; he doesn't want anything to do with little Mork anymore. So I'm trying to get them to see that it wasn't Mork's fault: I told them that if it had been a dog and a cat, for instance, that no one would suggest I rehome my dog, they would just be sad about the cat and move on. But it's not helping. I'm trying to let their opinions go in one ear and out the other, but...
So yeah any pleasant thoughts about that would be welcome too.

Oh, I almost forgot: I discovered today that a piece of Mork's left eyelid was bitten--there is a tiiiiiiiny, 1mm piece of skin and 2 eyelashes, that have sort of peeled away from his eyelid if you know what I mean. It's still connected. His eyes are fine, it's just that one bit. And I'm sure it was Orson defending himself that did it. He seems fine, but are there things I should be worried about with a wound near his eye?
Thanks again to all

 

[saphire]

Brittany Lynn,
Mork is a good chin. You are doing right by him. So don't be sad that he will get attention from you only, it takes only one and it seems it's you. I believe that is a good thing for both of you.
Take good care of him, do your thing and don't worry about the others. They will come around in time when they get to really know him.

<3

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

Brittany Lynn,
Mork is a good chin. You are doing right by him. So don't be sad that he will get attention from you only, it takes only one and it seems it's you. I believe that is a good thing for both of you.
Take good care of him, do your thing and don't worry about the others. They will come around in time when they get to really know him.

<3

THank you very much Saphire

 

[mercynursie]

Congratulations on making the one choice that proves you are a true dedicated pet owner. You realize that no matter how much we "humanize" our pets, they are animals and as such cannot be held responsible for their instincts. I applaud your decision and if more people recognized instinctive behavior I don't think that animal shelters would be nearly as full! Mork is definitely a blessed little fellow to have you for his owner.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

Watch for wet fur around his eye, puss or any infected looking material...pawing at it could do damage too. If it does become infected a vet can prescribe you some antibiotic ointment or drops but be sure to keep an eye on it, literally.

I see no problem with keeping monk by himself and see no reason for him to be returned to the shelter. id say you were getting those opinions because most people think an animal that attacks another animal will eventually attack you, which is not always the case. many dogs are dog aggressive but are very loving towards humans. your roomate is probably angry with monk for hurting orson and grieving for his loss. give it some time, i bet you find that they will come around. you took him in better or worse and im glad you are planning to stick to it.

 

[tunes]

First, Tradition is not rabbit feed. it's specifically formulated for chinchillas.

Second, be careful of what rabbit feed you use. As with chin food, not all feeds are created equal. Generally accepted rabbit feeds are Nutrena Naturewise 16%, Manna Show Pro, and (hopefully I get the new name right) Purina Advanced Rabbit Chow. Pet store rabbit food and others are not necessarily providing the best nutrition for your chins.

I understand how incredibly upsetting it can be to lose a chin in this manner. Honestly, it makes you unable to look at the one who killed him, or at least look at him in a different light, at least for a while. After a while though, it does get better and you just have to understand it's the nature of chins. It sucks, but just like not being able to have two Serian hammies together (no one flog me for that remark, or I'll ban you ), hedgehogs, STOs - they all need to be in individual cages. Sometimes we get lucky with chins and a pairing takes and they stay together forever. Other times, well, you've seen the results of what can happen.

Other than that, I can't anything to what Claire said. She's given excellent advice.

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

First, Tradition is not rabbit feed. it's specifically formulated for chinchillas.

Second, be careful of what rabbit feed you use. As with chin food, not all feeds are created equal. Generally accepted rabbit feeds are Nutrena Naturewise 16%, Manna Show Pro, and (hopefully I get the new name right) Purina Advanced Rabbit Chow. Pet store rabbit food and others are not necessarily providing the best nutrition for your chins.

I understand how incredibly upsetting it can be to lose a chin in this manner. Honestly, it makes you unable to look at the one who killed him, or at least look at him in a different light, at least for a while. After a while though, it does get better and you just have to understand it's the nature of chins. It sucks, but just like not being able to have two Serian hammies together (no one flog me for that remark, or I'll ban you ), hedgehogs, STOs - they all need to be in individual cages. Sometimes we get lucky with chins and a pairing takes and they stay together forever. Other times, well, you've seen the results of what can happen.

Other than that, I can't anything to what Claire said. She's given excellent advice.

Thank you for all that information on Rabbit Feed, I'm taking them off of their current feed and switching them to the next cheapest in the list you've given me (They just eat so much that I gotta go with the least expensive out of the good choices.) :read: finding out now...

Also, I know what you mean about Syrians: I had a black bear hamster which I bought from Petco (boo, don't go there) who came home pregnant. She gave birth to at least 9, I ended up with 7 after a few weeks (not sure what happened to at least 2 of them...I do know their bodies were *ahem* 'disposed of' by mom), and got great homes for 5 of them. So I had mom and 2 girls left, which was great until mom and the bigger baby decided that the littlest one was unwanted. Mom, aka Eleanor Roosevelt, and big baby girl, aka Marie Curie, found a wonderful home with my little brother's Bio teacher who just lost her pet rat. They are doing fine together to this day; Florence Nightingale, aka little beat up baby sister, is doing great with me Except that she's got some holes in her ears as reminders, you wouldn't know she was being picked on. Luckily I caught the fight the first time, and separated them that day.
Speaking of Florence, when she rolls around in her ball, she scares the crap (literally) out of all my chins. I held her up to Sonya and Rodya one day, through the bars of their cage (months ago), and when her whiskers touched theirs while they were sniffing each other, Rodya and Sonya TOOK OFF! Lol, they were SOOOOO SCARED! And she's 1/18th of their size or something! Haha. *random story...aaanyway...*

Watch for wet fur around his eye, puss or any infected looking material...pawing at it could do damage too. If it does become infected a vet can prescribe you some antibiotic ointment or drops but be sure to keep an eye on it, literally.

Will do. It is looking great at this point, he hasn't been pawing at it, and there is a tiny little scab, but otherwise he's looking normal. His lip isn't swollen anymore, either, so that's good too.

Also, I buried Orson yesterday, which was a little hard considering I live in upstate NY and breaking ground wasn't easy, but he has got his little plot on my step dad's lawn, and in the spring I will be putting a little pinch-pot I made with some dried roses there. My mom was making fun of me a bit, asking me if I was gonna read from the bible or anything before we put dirt over the box he's in, but she just doesn't get it I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a grave for their small animal(s).
...Actually, it's funny, she never made fun of me when my first hamster died when I was 10...what, I'm supposed to not cry over a passed away animal now that I'm 21? :wacko:
*shifty eyes* I'm gonna stop writing now...this post seems way too long.

 

[saphire]

Actually, I have a plot of all my animals, that have gone over the bridge in spring, summer and fall fr my cats, dogs, mouse, chins, fish, snails, salamader, frog, reptile. The ones that have gone over the bridge in winter are in urnes.
I always have tears that roll on my cheeks that I cannot control when I loose one of my furry friends and I am 49... So yeah, that is my therapy and it feels darn good. Loving and caring has no age limits.

 

[kogia]

Also, I buried Orson yesterday, which was a little hard considering I live in upstate NY and breaking ground wasn't easy, but he has got his little plot on my step dad's lawn, and in the spring I will be putting a little pinch-pot I made with some dried roses there.

When my pet guinea pig passed away during the winter when I was 9, my mom kept him in our 2nd freezer in our basement until spring.... I didn't know she did that until I went downstairs to pick up a bag of frozen peas, and there was Snowflake in a ziploc..

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I think it is natural no matter how old you are to cry when you lose a furry friend. If I lose a furry friend in the winter when the ground is frozen, I put the body in my downstairs freezer until I can bury him/her

 

[JennyBug]

I would think you a tad odd if you hadn't cried over the loss of a beloved pet. It's perfectly natural, and there is no shame in it. My husband and I have a little pet cemetery back in our woods where Big Boss Hoss (puppy) and Apollo (chameleon) are buried. Whenever someone makes fun of me, I ask them what I was supposed to do - throw them away like garbage? That usually shuts them up!

I'm sorry for you and for Orson, but I'm so glad that you're keeping Mork. I'm sure he'll be a sweetie, and your family with either come around in time or just leave him in peace. Good for you for being a responsible pet owner!

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

My mom was making fun of me a bit, asking me if I was gonna read from the bible or anything before we put dirt over the box he's in, but she just doesn't get it I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a grave for their small animal(s).

I have a son who does this every time one of our pets dies and We always have a small funeral for our furry loved ones. He has seen a lot of death in his 13 years and this is his way of coping. And I too have a small grave yard in back of my house, so you are not the only one who has a plot for her beloveds. I figure if we bury our human companions, why not our furry ones, right?

On a brighter note, I am happy to read that you are keeping Mork. He needs the love and attention that only you can give him and he would not have gotten it at the shelter. Especially when they found out what happened. I am sorry to hear about Orson, but put all your love into Mork and as time goes by, the pain of what happened will ease.

:angel2: Orson

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

Thank you saphire, kogia, Mt. Zion Chins, JennyBug, and Bostongirl'sChin75.
I'm glad I am not alone in these feelings or old habits.

Excuse the following, seemingly random, anecdote:
The strangest thing about Orson's death is that he is the first of my animals, and the animals my family has owned, who did not pass away on a holiday. My first hamster, Buttercup, passed on Christmas Eve when I was 10 or so. My sister's hamster Chips passed on New Year's Eve. Chips' cage mate, my Patches, passed on Thanksgiving. Our family dog, Pele, died on Mother's Day. My brother's iguana, which was a birthday present he received over the weekend--on his party--died on the actual day of his birth, April 23rd (when he turned 12 or something...he's going to be 20 this 4/23). Even my Betta fish did not escape the 'curse', as we've come to call it--they died on Christmas, New Year's, and Thanksgiving, respectively.

The only animals who have 'escaped the curse' were
1. a rabbit we had to give up for adoption because the children in our neighborhood kept letting him out of his cage when they wanted to play with him;
2. the iguana who replaced the original that died on my brother's birthday--the lizard was about 3 years old and 4 feet long when a reptile lover begged my brother for 'Mr. Bigglesworth' (who, incidentally, was a female iguana);
3. The baby hamsters and their mother, who I spoke of a few posts ago--all got different homes;
and lastly, 4, Orson. He's the one who sticks out, because he was still mine. I'm glad the weird coincidence/curse is over, especially considering that his death was very close to, but not on, Valentine's Day...but I would have preferred if it had waited a long, long time before taking one of my chins.

:tissue: I really miss Orson, especially when I give treats to my other guys and girl, because he liked to hold onto my finger with one or both paws while he ate his raisin, and then when he was all done he'd lick my finger. Everyone else just snatches the raisin away and gobbles it up in a corner, haha. Typical.

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

I know how the "holiday curse" feels..except mine is a " the man of the house is gone" curse. Growing up, all of our animals died while my dad was either at school for the phone company or on his reserve duty deployments. The curse followed me into marriage, as the animals always die while the Hubs is off sailing the 7 seas..except for our Golden Retriever, who died right before he left.

Once again, on a brighter note.How many chins do you have? or do you have a menagerie of animals? You sound like you love them all dearly..

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

Once again, on a brighter note.How many chins do you have? or do you have a menagerie of animals? You sound like you love them all dearly..

*phew* it's a comfort that I'm not the only one who has some sort of curse. I had talked to another person whose 'curse' applied to animals who she named, which would get sick and pass far too soon, but if anyone else named the animal, they were fine.

But yes, brighter topics::
I have Sonya and Rodya, who gave me little Ivan in December. I also have Mork, and am keeping him despite my very, very initial reaction, and my family's thoughts on the subject. He's a good boy, what happened was a result of his animal nature and my improperly separating them.
I also own a hamster named Florence Nightingale, and a parrotlet who *was* named Alice, until I found out that she was actually a he. Haha! So now I'm trying to figure out if I go with Alex, which is close in sound and is a unisex name, or Raptor, which I think is really awesome and terrifying sounding until you realize that parrotlets are only 4 inches tall haha. Raptor definitely goes along with his personality, too
My mom has a Pomeranian, named Foxy, who I get to see every week, I consider her mine too. She's a real sweetheart.
Lastly, my roommate has a cat named Milo, who is just the sweetest animal ever. He gets pretty interested in the animals when he wanders into my room, but I keep an eye on him. He's been in the habit of poking Mork--he sits on top of Mork's cage, and extends his paw, without his claws out, and literally pokes and prods his back. Hahaha. Mork just sits there and stares up at him until I get so nervous that I shoo Milo away. What a weird cat. He likes to rub his face on mine Loudest purr EVER.

Yes, menagerie definitely applies. My mom refers to my apartment solely as 'The Petting Zoo', not 'Brittany's place' or anything like that...lol! Trying to reign in my pet collection as time goes on. It would not be good to become a hoarder, as much as I would love to have 15 chins, 3 hamsters, some rats, another, bigger parrot, a few dogs.... I've got all their names preplanned in my head. When I have a house with a yard and a fence, I want an Irish Wolfhound named Teddy Roosevelt; the macaws I want would probably be named Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky. Oh, I love hairless animals: I want a hairless rat, cat, and hamster (if I can find one).
...Don't tell my boyfriend I want anymore animals he thinks I have too many already heehee...

 

[addictedtochins]

Oohhh, I had a September curse. every year starting Sept. 1990 someone I loved died '90,91,92and 93. My son was due in Sept 1994. I was so scared! He had the cord wrapped around his neck twice so we are very lucky he was OK, and he ended the curse as well.

 

[CJR]

There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said already... I am so, so sorry for the loss of Orson. He was such a beautiful, handsome guy.