Hedgehog

When I got home from work today and looked out of my kitchen window I saw what I at first thought was a beige rag on the lawn.  However, on closer inspection, it turned out to be a hedgehog.

We have had a hedgehog living in our garden for a couple of years now.  It builds itself a nest among the dried up bamboo leaves and does a good job of dealing with the slugs.  On a warm summer evening we sometimes see it walk down from the bamboo to the other end of the garden and we often hear it grunting and snuffling.

But, seeing it lying on the grass in broad daylight, we knew something was seriously wrong; hedgehogs are nocturnal and shouldn't be out in the day and certainly not in full view of predators. 

I shouted for the Teen and we found a box and put the hedgehog in on top of a towel.  Then we called the local vet as our nearest RSPCA centre was shut.  The nurse at the vets gave us the number of Little-prickles , a hedgehog rescue centre which is quite close to us.

The Teen with "our" hedgehog.



He  even looks a bit sad.

Paul from Little Prickles came this evening to fetch him, and it was apparently definitely a 'him' and has taken him off for treatment.  If the hedgehog recovers he will be returned to us so he can take up residence in the garden again. 

Hopefully he will be back with us soon.