Found Wobbling Baby Hedgehog

[Marcia]

Oh dear, I'm running out of tissues. ValleyForge, thank you so much for your words, they really meant a lot for me. Every second of my sleepless nights and hair-tearing worries were worth just to see Spikey back into his natural home. It hurt to say goodbye, but at the same time I was so proud of him, of what we've done together, of our progress. Only now I realise that this has been a lifelong dream, something I've always wanted to do but never knew where or how to start. It's been a wonderful experience and one that I'm determined to carry on doing. I loved the title of "fully fledged rehabilitator" you gave me I feel all smug now

I told my local vet of my intentions of becoming a "fosterer" and both him and the vet nurse went "awwww, that's a lovely thing to do". I gave them my contact details and they said they would definitely get in touch. I asked if they get people bringing hoglets in need and he said "all the time, all the time". So I think that's a tiny step towards the Spikey Foundation

Pattie May, although it doesn't look like in the video, the hedgehog house it's in a corner of the garden, on the left of the house there's the wall of the garage. On the right there's a kilmarnock willow and some evergreen shrubs. On the back, some overgrown honeysuckle and other plants. But I agree, it looks too exposed. I don't want to move it too far in case Spikey comes back for some reason in a couple of days.

Pauline, I'm pleased you liked the video.

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Oh I just want to tell you all a sweet thing that happened at the vets. The vet put Spikey on the scales and he escaped and run (almost fell off the table ). Both vet and nurse tried to catch him but he would break free and run again. Then Spikey saw me on the opposite end of the table, run to me and desperately started to climb me. I carried him and then he hid his face between my arm and my side and quieted down Awww, I'll treasure that forever. Specially because I really never handed him more than necessary, I never thought he would even reconise me but he did.

Then when we walked back home he was awake all the way with his nose poking out of his travel carrier, sniffing the fresh air. I walked slowly and every now and then I'd pause and let him sniff a tree, a hedge or a plant.

I hope he's having the time of his life now.

Marcia

[Phoebe]

Marcia, I have just read this thread and what a wonderful thing you have done! That must be satisfying. Well done! There are some lucky hoglets coming your way. I look forward to hearing about the next one.

Oh and the video is brilliant, they are lovely creatures.

[vole-woman]

I've been following this thread but haven't contributed till now. Last year I tried to help a wobbling hog it died, so I was so thrilled that yours did so well. The video's great - I loved the bit with the toilet roll! Who's the singer, is it Alison Kraus?

Oh, best news: I found some hedgehog poo by my door this morning, so I'll be putting out cat food tonight and keeping a close watch.

[Marcia]

Hi Vole-Woman, I follow your water voles threads too The singer is the late Eva Cassidy performing Time after Time originally wrote by Cindy Lauper. Hedgehogs poo is always great news, good luck meeting them!

Hi Phoebe, thanks, they are amazing creatures, very easy to fall in love with

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I'm thinking of starting a new hedgehog thread just so everyone can post questions, stories and experiences. There are some amazing people here with some incredible knowledge to share... it will be nice to have a thread where we could all benefit from that. What do you all think?

Besides, the "wobbling baby hedgehog" no longer exists. He's now a handsome, strong and free juvenile hedgehog.

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Marcia

Besides, the "wobbling baby hedgehog" no longer exists. He's now a handsome, strong and free juvenile hedgehog.

And do you know why?.... because of YOU Marcia

Jeeez girl, you've so made my day!

I've just watched the vid and was crying and laughing all at once.... brilliant, just so brilliant! Spikey is healthy, happy and free and you've accomplished something very special - be proud, you so should be ok!

Hope you don't mind but I want to show some of my friends yr vid - I reckon it will warm their hearts just as much as it did mine

I so think you've found a vocation in life... so go for it if you want too and as for Eva Cassidy... the most poignant singer of all time... excellent sound track - enough said

I wish Spikey all the best for the future as he's had such a great start by finding you....

[Kayleigh]

Awwww the video was lovely...Well done you what a lovely success story..

Brilliant..

[Hedera]

Just watched your video Marcia. It was so revealing and touching. Loved the circus act on the toilet roll! So glad it worked out for Spikey and your idea is a very good one. I found one of "mine" rolled up in some leaves snoring away yesterday - evidently happy to curl up for the day under a bush. Gone this morning.

[Marcia]

Spikey has been visiting every night how nice of him.

I know that one day he might decide to go further afield to never come back so I rejoice every time I see him on the screen. I'm so tempted to go and pick him up and give him a cuddle and a kiss But I won't of course.

He takes naps in his old house, yesterday he slept in there for 3 hours. But for some reason he prefers to leave and spend the day somewhere else. The other day I saw him catching a caterpillar or earthworm, not sure, and eating the whole wiggling thing. His poo is so much smaller than it used to be... He eats a bit of everything I put for him but leave most of the dry spike's dinner, so i assume he's not starving. Wet cat food has been an issue. It attracts cats even if it's out of their reach. I left some inside his house and Spikey managed to eat them. But then the cats squeeze their heads and paws inside the house and I think that's the reason Spikey doesn't stay there for the day.

Another good news is... while Spikey was sleeping inside his house, another hedgehog came! MUCH bigger than Spikey, seems in good health and has a good appetite. I'm so pleased! At least now I know for sure that hogs like the area and that Spikey will have company in the future. The new visitor sniffed at the house for a while but didn't get inside, he/she certainly knows now that there's a new kid on the block

Marcia.

[Malx]

Proud of you for taking the leap, Marcia! Must have been traumatic. But just think that hopefully in a decade or so, that wobbling, spiny bundle may have produced several generations worth of wobble-free hogs, thanks to your devotion! Greatly touching video, superbly edited, too!

Superb idea to start a rolling hedgehog thread, in my opinion. (I'd certainly be adding my share of clutter to it.) Saves us all feeling our posts are off-topic all the time. Would also be an easy place for potential finders-of-wobbling-hedgehogs to get some immediate info.
It could be named after/sponsored by Spikey!

Great to hear about another hedgie too.
Maybe with the cat thing, you could somehow incorporate a maze effect where you place his(/their) food?
I expect Spikey's poo will settle down in time - you're well aware he will lose weight a bit to start with, but he always has a 100% guarantee of staple food at the Chez Marcia restaurant, of course! I think even humans experience changes in 'motions' when eating in unfamiliar circumstances and locations etc. He'll be fine.

Vole-woman: Lucky you for your find this morning! Sadly, I've had none for a while and am getting withdrawal symptoms. I must do a search on Ebay for "Lucky Hedgehog Poo", to see if I can buy some...

[Marcia]

New thread is on now, fire away, Malx