Will chinchillas always prefer each other over an owner?
I have had a female chinchilla for about 4-5 years now. I had grown up with rodents and loved them, and when I researched and found out about chinchillas I couldn't resist. I absolutely love her, I have to say out of the rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils I have owned growing up, chinchillas are by far the most fun. She has gotten increasingly social and tame over the years, she likes to cuddle in my neck and arms and often greets me at the door of her cage when I come to see her. When I scratch her neck, chest and cheeks and in return likes to nibble my hand back as if to "repay" me. I notice my boyfriend's bonded couple will take turns nibbling each other's faces and necks, and it is very much like that. I adore this chinchilla and she takes so much priority over anything else.
I have read on websites that if you bond two chinchillas, they will always "like" each other more than the owner. I have been considering getting her a male, and I have done a lot of research in this, but I don't want to lose her either. My boyfriend's bonded couple came bonded when he got them, and they very much prefer each other over contact with us. They scarcely let us scratch them, and only the male will be held. I don't know if this is because they were already bonded beforehand, or if this is just what happens when chinchillas bond. My chinchilla lets me pick her up, I scoop my hand under her belly and she leans into my hand so I can lift her. If I am near her cage she is usually sticking her nose through the bars at me wanting attention and to get her neck scratched. I am worried I will lose a great pet if I get her a companion. Would getting her a companion risk losing my chinchilla's attention?
Also, a few months ago she broke a front arm and we had no choice but to get it amputated. Her fur has grown back and it is completely healed, she is a little clumsier (but improving very well), she can't run very efficiently on her saucer wheel anymore, but she is healthy and strong otherwise. Would missing an arm be in issue if she were ever mothering kits?