I'm Stressed

[cindyv3737]

I have a question for those of you who travel? I'm going to Chicago on a business trip this weekend and I'm stressed about not being with my fur ball. This is the first time I've had to travel since I got her. How do you cope with having to leave the kids at home?

 

[tunes]

Reliable caretakers. If I didn't have someone I could trust to look after them when I'm gone, I couldn't leave.

 

[AZChins]

My husband watches them for me or I would worry. I've heard of people getting webcams setup so they can keep an eye on their chins.

 

[cindyv3737]

My boyfriend will be watching her. I just worry because it is not me. I've been driving him crazy with her list of needs. Ooooo...a webcam.

 

[AZChins]

It will be okay...don't worry. You have someone to watch her...so everything is good! He can call you if he has any questions....set your cell to vibrate and keep it in your pocket at all times.

 

[mishellyshel]

have him send you daily pix! they will be fine for a few days. fortunately you have someone!
i am going away in november only for about 4 days........but i need to train a petsitter how to care for them. she is reliable and an old friend, however; not sure if she has had much rodent experience. she is typically cat & dog.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I worry a little when it isn't my husband watching them but my child sitter is also my chin sitter so I have a lot of confidence in her. Your chinnie will be fine with your boyfriend ). You will always worry a little though, it is normal.

 

[chinsmom]

You know that she's in good hands, I mean, his life depends on it, but you'll cry anyway. Hey, that was a lot of help wasn't it? But seriously, she will be fine - you will miss her like ****, just keep in touch with your bf, and I promise she'll survive it better than you will!!

 

[Sandi]

Having been through this a few times, my only suggestion is for whoever watches your baby to double or triple check that they make sure to LOCK the cage!

 

[peachydays]

Cindy, I've had to leave my fluff balls several times over the past few years due to business trips. Leaving a comprehensive care sheet will make you feel a lot better.

On the care sheet make sure you have the phone numbers and addresses of your regular vet and an emergency vet.

I divide my care sheet into six sections: food, water, hay, dust baths, treats. At the bottom is a chart that the person who's caring for the chinnie can use to keep track of daily needs. Across the top are the days of the week, and on the left is "AM" and "PM". I'm copying and pasting what I came up with because I thought it might be helpful for people (the chart wouldn't copy, but it's just a basic word table).

Ralph
​

Food
Ralph’s food dish should be filled up to midway between the first and second joints of your index finger. Check the food dish EVERY morning to make sure he has eaten the night before. His food is located to the left of his cage in a plastic storage container. Ralph should always have food in his dish. If he has not eaten, call me and I will instruct you as to what to do. If you are unable to reach me, please refer to the section in this guide titled “Emergency Phone Numbers”.


Water
I have refilled Ralph’s water bottle, and it should not need to be refilled until I return on May 16. If you notice that is low please refill it with the filtered water that is in the room.

His water bottle needs to be checked in the morning and the evening to make sure it works. If you do not notice that the water level has gone down from the last time you checked, call me and I will instruct you as to what to do. If you are unable to reach me, please refer to the section in this guide titled “Emergency Phone Numbers”. Checking to make sure the bottle works can be done by tapping the tip of the nozzle with your finger and seeing if bubbles appear in the bottle. If no bubbles appear, remove the water bottle and rinse the nozzle with water to remove any clog that might have occurred. Retest the bottle. Repeat as necessary.


Hay
Ralph’s hay rack should always have hay stuffed in it. Every morning remove the hay that has fallen onto the shavings, and stuff the rack with fresh hay. This should also be done in the evening, although there probably won’t be as much hay on the shavings then since he sleeps for most of the day. His hay is located under the desk in a large bag.


Dust Bath
Ralph will not need a dust bath while I am gone, as he was given a bath on Friday May 8.


Treats
I have left 7 of Ralph’s cookies in a zip lock bag on the desk next to his cage. He can have ONE each night.




Emergency Phone Numbers:
If you notice anything wrong with Ralph, CALL ME and I will tell you what to do. If you’re unable to get a hold of me, call one of the people listed in the paragraph below.

Regular Hours Vet:

Emergency Vet:

I belong to an online forum about chinchillas called Chins-n-Hedgies (http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com). One of my friends on the forum that I know and trust, told me that I could give you her phone number while I’m gone in case you have any questions. Her name is XXXXXX, and her phone number is XXXXXX. Another friend from the forum who is knowledgeable about chins is XXXXXX. The best number to reach her at is her cell XXXXXX. You could also try her on her home phone, which is XXXXXX. My “screen name” on the forum is peachydays, but both of them know who I am and know that I’m giving you their phone numbers so you shouldn’t need to remind them of who I am.

Use the following chart to keep track of what Ralph needs and when:

 

[mishellyshel]

i did something similar when i left them with my fiance' for the weekend. i separated everyones food into baggies and what treats they got......granted at that time we only had 3 and i took one with me, so he only had to take care of 2. and while he didnt follow my instructions completely, my chins were fine!

 

[cindyv3737]

Thank you so much guys!! I've got a list with all of Shelly's needs (feeding, playtimes, bath, phone #'s etc.). In my heart I know she will be fine. She is my baby and I hate to leave her. :tissue:

 

[AZChins]

Cindy...I know how you feel. I have a hard time leaving for just the day. These little fuzzy guys are my little children after all. Sometimes I wish that I could clone myself so that if I have to leave *I* will still be here!

It'll be alright...it's not for very long.

 

[Olallie]

Just make sure you have a trustworthy caretaker, and you'll be fine.

 

[chinlover420]

thanks sooo much peachydays i am leaving in april and you helped so much, im stealing you chart idea!

 

[kimbt622]

ah i know exactly how you feel Cindy. When my boyfriend and I went on vacation last summer i left my boys with a very good friend of mine who has chins of her own and I know she knew what she was doing but I still worried every second of the day. she texted me everyday with updates and sent me pictures which helped a lot plus she'll be so happy to see you when you get home!

 

[cindyv3737]

I got home late last night. After missing my little baby for 4 days I was more than thrilled to see her. What did she do when I let her out of her cage?...She bit me! Something tells me she was not too happy that I was gone for so long.

 

[Sandi]

Glad everything went well except for the "bite". Offer her a little treat and I'm sure she'll forgive you!

 

[cindyv3737]

I gave her a shreddie and she bounced away like a kangaroo. She did forgive me after. She sat on my shoulder for a little bit while I was reading. :dance3:

 

[pinkchinchin]

My boyfriend will be watching her. I just worry because it is not me. I've been driving him crazy with her list of needs. Ooooo...a webcam.

Hehe I am very attached to my Chinese Crested and so is my boyfriend. So when I went away for a week he stayed at my bfs house and when he would get home from work he would put him on webcam for me to talk to him.

As for my chinnies my mom watches them for me. I trust her with them since she is very careful and understand their needs