On a rainy February Monday, Steve and I travelled all the way to Bristol to pick up our beautiful new baby hoglet. We entered 'Reptile Zone', the shop owned by a very patient Pete, (who had answered countless texts and emails from me - a very excited (and slightly neurotic!) new hedgehog owner!) There on the counter we saw the little box. Pete opened it and there she was, the most gorgeous little creature I have ever seen (obviously my newborn children come a close second!!) Pete instructed me to "pick her up." Now, I have done hours of research and watched countless Youtube clips, but I was still a bit nervous about picking up this squirming mass of spikes! But Pete insisted, so I picked her up and held her – it was love at first sight!
Pete wished us well and we set off for Devon with our new little bundle of (prickles) and joy! As soon as we got home we popped her into her new enclosure, she did a quick sniff around and then headed for her 'Hattie Cave'. We decided to leave her to settle in overnight (much to the disappointment of our two girls) but we all watched with awe later in the evening when she came out to eat her dinner. Tomorrow we will begin bonding.
Hattie's first night!
"The Ball!"
To be continued...