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Koji, my chinchilla, left us last night for the Rainbow Bridge. He had been in excellent health until a few days ago, when he lost his appetite. I thought we would be able to nurse him back to health, but things took a sudden turn for the worst, and there was no coming back from it.

I had 7, almost 8 good years with him, but it just seemed too short. He was the gentlest of souls. Just a sweet, furry light in the world. I’m managing, but I’m also thoroughly devastated.

It wasn’t that long ago that he was a tiny baby that could sit in the palm of my hand. My little mouse. We became very close after his brother died. I would go to visit him downstairs, we would touch noses as a greeting, and he would sniff my face and try to groom my eyelashes.

He had such a spirit about him, and he seemed to trust that I would make sure everything would be okay. No small feat for such a timid little guy.

I will miss him. His barks of protest, when he didn’t want to be pet or held. His patience to endure being held when he knew we were just trying to take care of him. His way of holding things with his little “hands”. The way he let me cuddle him when he was sick.

You’ve spoiled me, Koji. It will be a long time before I can stop comparing every chinchilla to you, that’s how special you are. I love that you let me stroke you behind the ears, and even over your head. I love that you would let me pick you up, and you would settle into my hand as if you knew that I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you.

I hope Mochi is with you, and Taro, and Momo, and Yuki. I hope you’re all together up there. I hope you’re teasing the rabbits who are 5-times your size, running and jumping and eating your way through fields of grass and hay and craisins. I hope you’re having fun. It’ll be a long time before I see you, I hope you’ll be there to greet me when it’s my time. Goodnight, baby Koji.