The Chinchillas Are Too Young
Argentina looked at her chinchillas. They were looking a little listless, she noted. She had gotten them just a few days earlier, and they were babies. “Mom, I think there’s something wrong with the chinchillas,” she yelled.
Her mom, Farfisa, came downstairs and took a look. “They’re probably just tired,” she said. “They’re nocturnal, you know.”
“Mom, it’s 11 o’clock at night,” Argentina said. “Do you think they’re OK?”
Danny the chinchilla looked over at Argentina. He started to walk over to the edge of the cage, then decided to stay put. Debbie the chinchilla just laid down. Her eyes would open every now and again, but she didn’t really move much. Argentina opened the cage and started petting them.
“Why don’t I do some Googling,” Farfisa said. “Maybe there’s something we can do for them.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
They both went upstairs, and Farfisa stared at her phone for a bit. “I think maybe they were taken away from their mother too soon,” she said. “This says it takes about 12 to 14 weeks for them to be fully weaned. How old did that lady say the chinchillas are?”
“I think she said they were 10 weeks!” Argentina said. “Oh, god, do you think they’ll die?”
“Well, it’s probably too late to call her tonight, but I’ll call her first thing in the morning, and we’ll see if maybe she can put them back with their mother for a couple of weeks,” Farfisa said.
Argentina started to cry. Her cat had just disappeared a week ago, and she wasn’t ready to lose any more pets. “What if they don’t make it through the night?” she asked. “I love them! They’re not a replacement for Captain Pants, but I still love them!”
“I’m sure they’ll be fine for one more night,” Farfisa said. “I haven’t lactated for 10 years, or I’d give them some of mine.”
“Mom, you’re not funny!” Argentina screamed. She went back downstairs to look at the rodents again.
“I am too,” Farfisa mumbled to herself.
“Mom, oh my god! Mom, come quick!” Argentina yelled from downstairs.
Farfisa ran down the stairs. “What is it?”
“Look!” Argentina shouted, pointing at the cage.
Farfisa looked at the cage. It quickly became apparent that Argentina had not closed the cage when they went back upstairs, and that Captain Pants had not gone far. She was in the cage.
“Oh my god! That cat’s going to kill them!” Farfisa yelled.
“No, she’s not, Mom! Look closer!”
Farfisa bent down. Captain Pants was lying on her side, and the chinchillas were suckling at her teats.
“I guess this story has a happy ending, huh, mom?” Argentina said.
“I guess!” Farfisa agreed.