Chihuahua,
chipmunk’s relationship goes national NBC’s Today show aired a segment about
the pair Friday CRYSTAL LUONG Statesman Journal August 7, 2004 The perfect combination for a warm and
fuzzy story — a Chihuahua, a baby chipmunk and a determined
70-year-old owner — hit local newscasts and found its way to
national television this week.
Buffy, a 4-year-old Chihuahua, has nursed a newborn chipmunk
that owner, Imogene Wills, brought home nine days ago.
Published Thursday in the Statesman Journal, their unique
relationship triggered a media chain that peaked with NBC’s
Today Show airing a segment Friday morning.
Wills received a phone call from a friend across the country
to let her know that she was on national television.
“I didn’t know I was going to be on there,” the South
Salem resident said.
Portland news crews lined up at Wills’ front door all day
Thursday.
“It hasn’t changed my little baby at all,” said the
proud pet owner.
With legal and health concerns, Sue Knapp, district manager of
the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, also knocked on
Wills’ front door Thursday.
Knapp helped Wills obtain a legal wildlife permit to care for
the chipmunk until his future release into the wild.
Marty first came to Wills’ attention last Thursday at
Companion Pet Clinic in Keizer, where Buffy was having a
C-section.
Buffy had lost a puppy in birth, and Wills was determined that
Buffy could nurture Marty, who was found in a nearby parking
lot.
Wills, although tired from their unexpected celebrity status,
appreciated the media show for Buffy.
“It wasn’t my day,” she said. “It was her day.”
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