Autumn

Thanks so much for all the kind and thoughtful comments that were left on the previous post - reading them really helps and I'm really grateful for the chance to get stuff off my chest without everyone thinking "she's off again...!". Toby is definitely much happier now that his tooth is out and so life here has returned to normal.

I thought I'd do a quick hedgehog update before the weekend. This week has definitely had an autumnal feel to it - the leaves on the trees have started to change colour and drop (I've even been out with my rake gathering piles of leaves to dry for Herbert's bedding). Herbert him/herself is doing great and is now tipping the scales at 498gms which will probably mean that he'll be up to the target weight within the next week.

I'm beginning to feel a little sad though at the thought of seeing his little prickly behind waddling off into the distance and so plans are afoot for a spot of house building this weekend - hedgehog house building. We'll be putting the house in his run and letting him camp out in the garden next week so that he can get used to all the smells and sounds of being outside all the time (up to now he's only been out in the run after dark for a few hours and then back into the crate in the garage). One he's acclimatised we'll remove the run and he'll be free to roam. I'm really hoping that he'll stick around and maybe use the house to hibernate in but we'll have to wait and see - he may have other plans!

I've not taken any recent pictures of Herbert as I'm trying to limit contact - we'll get some to remember him by before he toddles off! So hodggie pictures today are courtesy of Hamlyn's 365 Animal Stories, 1975 vintage!

Comments

[Lucy Locket]

I hope Herbert does stay around so you can continue to enjoy your hedgehog watching. I'm so impressed that you are being able to restrain yourself from looking/photographing/disturbing him/her - obviously it is the right thing to do but it must be so tempting to have just another little look and I don't know if I would be as good as you! Lucy x

[Nikki]

I'm sending "fattening up" thoughts to Herbert... it sure would be great if he stayed kind of near by

[nicolette]

I hope for you he has fallen in love with you and your good care and will stick around or at least will drop by every now and then. It may not be the best to wish for (S)herbert, but I would have a hard time to say goodbuye to the little creature.

[French Knots]

Let's hope he stays local once released then he can eat all the horrible slugs in the garden for you.
Love the picture of the hedgehog, is it me or does he look a bit vacant!?

[rohanknitter]

Glad things continue to go well with Herbert - I hope he will stick around, too.

Bless you as you cope with caring with your son. I can only imagine there are some very difficult days. Do things get a little easier for your son (and you!) once he has adjusted to the school routine in the fall? Ihope so...hang in there.

[Jill]

I remember this book! (I read it to my boys) Tempus fugit - hugs to s/herbie and all of you for doing such a good job.

[claire]

You should be very proud that you have given this little creature so much care and attention - I'd be so tempted to keep him but then that's just not fair, is it? (S)he'll be so happy to make new woodland friends...you may even get an invasion!

[Jenn : )]

I hope (s)he gets big and strong and has a long and happy life. You've done such a good deed!

[Robyn]

Well...Herbert is indeed coming along. Oh I do hope he decides to stick around a bit in your yard! How fun for all of you if he does!

[Suzie Sews]

Wow, he/she is doing really well with you. Pre-children I looked after a little hog. We realeased her in a friends garden and she came back ever year. Infact it got to the stage that it was unclear unclear if it was her or one of her babies...
So you might not need to say your goodbyes and happy travels she/he might not go far...

[cdm]

Herbert / Sherbert sounds like he / she is doing very well. You are doing a great job.

[Shannon]

I would have such a hard time letting him go....you are much stronger than I am. I hope he hangs around. :)

[dottycookie]

Good on you for taking such good care of the little chap. We saw a hedgehog in the park the other day - I was a bit worried as it was out during the day, but it seemed to be OK and looked at us for a bit before shuffling off looking for slugs. We came home with handfuls of sticks and made a big Harry Hedgehog collage!