This chinchilla saw a couple through tough times
Phil E. Chinchilla is (@phillychinchilly) is a one-of-a-kind animal influencer who in addition to providing tons of adorable joy on social media, has also had a massive positive impact on his loving chinchilla parents, who brought Phil into their family when they were in need of some love and support.
“Phil is just very sweet, very loveable,” explains Michelle Gross, one of Phil’s moms. “He can actually be quite hyper, which is the typical temperament of chinchillas, but more times than not, especially when he’s being recorded, he’s very chill.”
Michelle first fell in love with chinchillas in elementary school, when one of her teachers had a pet chinchilla that she would bring in. It was this love that led Michelle, when she came across Phil many years later, to make sure the chinchilla would be a part of her life.
“One day I just stumbled across Phil and I realized that he needed to come home and be a part of our family,” explains Michelle. Phil arrived at the perfect time, during a period when she was in need of positivity and support.
“Phil first came into my life when I was in the middle of getting my master’s degree, and my parents were not very accepting at all of the fact that was dating, and now married to, a woman,” she explains. “It was a really negative environment, and I saw Phil and knew that he would be that support for me.”
Erica Lee, Michelle’s wife and trusty chinchilla co-parent, was dating Michelle when she first took Phil in, so she’s been present from the very beginning. “We [went] through stuff in the past so we know what it’s like to need something to bring that smile to your face,” says Erica.
Michelle understands that people might be skeptical that a chinchilla can have the same emotional impact as a more traditional pet, but sees Phil as a true companion in every sense.
“I know people think that he’s not going to have that same bonding level as a dog or a cat,” explains Michelle. “But if I’m having a hard day he’ll actually spend more time with me, he’ll actually spend more time sitting on my shoulder and cuddling up to me.”
Michelle and Erica get plenty of love from Phil, but they’re more than happy to share it with Phil’s millions of followers, especially on TikTok (@phillychinchilly) where the chinchilla’s popularity has really taken off.
“The content that I make with Phil, I try to spread as much positivity as possible and ideally bring a smile to peoples’ faces,” says the proud chinchilla parent. “I do feel really passionate about Phil, and the fact that I’m able to make an impact on others’ days is just absolutely wonderful.”
When Michelle gets the chance to read the supportive comments and DMs from Phil’s followers, she’s constantly touched by the joy that the adorable animal is able to spread.
“He was always such a great support for me,” says Michelle. “So to know that he’s there for others is just the most incredible feeling.”
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