These are Shurik and Lucy. Shurik was my first ever chin, the black one. I realized he needed some company, so I adopted Lucy from another owner.
They never fought with each other. Shurik wasn't just happy to see her - he showed her things she had never known about in her previous home. He showed her how to take a sand bath, how to return to their cage after playtime. They became very close.
He always spent time with her, always slept by her side, and played with her. And yes, they had kids. He was a very supportive father and always monitored the hygiene of his kits (he groomed them).
Because of his feet, his motor activity, the state of his fur, and just seeing the difference between him and Lucy (given that they lived in the same conditions), I realized that Shurik was probably kind of old. He lived with me for at least 4 years. Then, in September 2025, sadly, he passed away.
Lucy was depressed about it, so I brought her Serge — a barely one-year-old chin from a pet shop. I couldn't find any older chin in our city or neighboring cities. They… well, they did get along, but their relationship was not as warm as hers with Shurik. Lucy - now pay attention - who never "hugged" Shurik first and always waited for him to come over, started trying to get close to Serge. He didn't like it, so they slept in separate corners. He didn't like spending time with her (except for his physical needs), they lived this way in the same cage for a year and five month maybe
Lucy looked very unhappy. Eventually I separated them, at least because it was already unhealthy for her to keep having babies. Now she lives with her last kit - her daughter.
I think Lucy misses Shurik. I believe that animals can mourn for their close ones. I spend a lot of time with her(I didn't forget about Serge too and I also spend time with him, since he lives alone rn), but she has looked less happy since the day Shurik passed away even if with him she often looked like he was being too clingy
That's it, have a nice day