Farewell Herbert Sherbert - don't forget to write!

It's a sad day today - it's the day that Herbert Sherbert leaves home and makes his own way in the big wide world.

Do you remember how little he was when we first found him on August 23rd? Well, here's a reminder...

and now after 5 weeks of good food and safe refuge in our garage he's reached a hefty 583gms which is heavy enough to survive a winter hibernation

I'm lucky to be married to a man who knows his way around tools - he whipped up this wonderful hedgehog house which has since been dug in and buried under earth and leaves. Herbert has been using it for the last 5 days so hopefully has settled in and will still sleep in it now that the surrounding run has been removed.

I shall miss this little character who has been gentle and sweet and never bitten even though he was stressed when we found him and never liked being picked up. I'll miss digging up worms for his breakfast by torchlight each evening after the kids have gone to bed. I've loved looking after him and it's been very rewarding but it was always about getting him strong enough to go back to the wild. I'll carry on putting food out and hope I'll catch a glimpse of him now and again and will let you know if I do. So, goodbye little Herbert Sherbert, mind your manners, wipe your nose after eating slugs and most of all - watch out for cars!

Comments

[Samantha]

We are lucky enough to have two hedgehogs in our garden. I love the way that they freeze when you see them and then when they think it's safe, they run away back into the plants etc.

Good luck Herbert

[Ayumi]

I've been following Herbert's recovery and I'm both sad and happy to see him leave! Sad because he's such a sweet guy and happy to see him all independent now! I sure hope he visits from time to time!

All the Best Herbert!

[jill]

Brilliant! Nuture supporting nature. well done!

[Lucy Locket]

Bye bye Herbert - have fun in the big world! Lucy x

[nicolette]

Take care (S)herbert! I hope you will soon meet some hedhehogs to play with! Julie, you did a great job and I hope (S)herbert will pay you a visit and give you a wink!

[blueadt]

Glad you found the house instructions useful!

Good luck Herbert, I'm sure he'll have a fab time in the garden & continue to enjoy his meal worms.

[tracy x]

oh - a sad but happy day indeed.
i send all my love and luck with the little guy x
and congrats to you for being such a wonderful hedgie mom x
tracy x

[Shawn Mary]

I do hope Herbert finds a Sherbert or vice versa so you can enjoy their future babies for years to come.

[Kim]

I have enjoyed reading about Herbert. I hope that he comes back and visits now and then :-)

[ellen p.]

You are such a sweetheart, Julie! Herbert Sherbert could not have had a more wonderful, nurturing Foster-Mom!

Ellen P. xx

[caroline bletsis]

That's brilliant that you got him fit and ready for the wild. I'm sure he'll be pottering about if you have him used to his house and a good source of food.

[Thimbleanna]

Goodbye Herbert Sherbert! {Sniff}{Sniff} Be Safe!

[Zoe]

Good luck Herbert Sherbert and Godspeed. Fantastic job Julie.

[Jane]

well done Julie i have loved reading about your care for (S)Herbert i wish him/her well. I feel certain (S)Herbert would say thanks mummy Julie see you soon, i'll stop by and visit in the spring.

[SmurfPop]

Aww, how lovely! Well done on nursing him back to health, I'm sure he won't go too far :) x

[starry]

Awww bye Herbert Sherbert! You're looking nice and fat! Maybe if it is indeed sherbert or herbert meets a lady, you'll get babies next year!

[Sanie]

Well done to you and your family!What a lucky hedgpig!I do hope he/she makes it through the winter.

[Bev]

How wonderful you took such great care of him.
Let's hope he'll pop in to say hello from time to time!

[carolyn]

So GLAD not sad to see the little guy go. From the sound of it not too far...Good rescue job you all!

[Liz]

Oooo, I'm trying to be brave and grown up and not weep an' all... What a lovely story -I hope that (S)Herbert does great and good hedgepig things. You have done him/her proud.
I wish lots of good Kharma to you and your Hedgepig (whatever it's name!).

All the very best of wishes to you all.

[Nikki]

aw... good luck little hedgie!

[Lindy]

Herbet was blessed to be rescued, loved and nurtured by a wonderful mother.
Have a happy and safe hedgehog life Herbert.
Can we all have a little cry now?

[Melly]

awwwwww, how sweet - I am sure he will live a very health life now thanks to you - so sad to see him go!!

[Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage]

It is a bittersweet day indeed. I do not envy your position. Being a good steward must be a hard thing to do. You have inspired me so much with your commitment. Thank you! I will miss the Herbert Sherbert updates. Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

[monicaq]

oh good luck in the big wild world, and take care when crossing the road!!

[Lucy]

Well done. What a wonderful achievement.

[Maddy]

Ohhhh he is sooo cute.

[Ebren]

*sniffle*

Bye bye Sherbert . . .

*wave*

[Jane Weston]

Thanks for sharing his progress. I think hedgehogs are rather adorable and I hope he'll hang about..I suspect he will as you've made him very comfortable ;o)

[Linda]

Sadly, we don't have hedge hogs in PA, but we do have plenty of bunnies and squirrels! I think you are awfully sweet to give Sherbie a home he can continue to return to!

[Linda]

Sadly, we don't have hedge hogs in PA, but we do have plenty of bunnies and squirrels! I think you are awfully sweet to give Sherbie a home he can continue to return to!

[sue]

You did such a wonderful job getting Herbert healthy enough to survive in the wild. Perhaps in a few years he will bring his children along to visit you too.

[Tania]

Wow - what a wonderful little creature - coming from Australia - I have never seen a hedgehog - we do have spiny anteaters (echinda - real name) but they grow a fair big larger than a hedgehog I think - I hope he returns to visit!! -

[Alison]

Aaahh bless.
Good luck little Herbert!
I hope he has a long and happy journey ahead of him.
Alison x

[AngelNicki]

I think I wouldn't be able to do that... release the hedgehog into the wild... even though its the right thing to do. I'd be crying too much. You're stronger than I am!
I also think that it is so special... There is now a wild animal, running around in nature, that was personally raised by you! You're, like, helping God! :)

[joanna]

Farewell herbert sherbert, you have grown so big and strong, may you have many happy adventures

[Caroline]

Wonderful thing you have done!

If you ever consider getting a domestic animal, you might enjoy a guinea pig...they are wonderful pets. Just a thought :)