Sometimes life takes very unexpected turns, and right after my last post my life took an unexpected & delightful one. Also? A little prickly.
A pet hedgehog who was abandoned by her owners outside was found in someone's front yard and taken the the Winnipeg Humane Society. She had been starving for a little while because she never learned to hunt, and was in need of a forever family. My sweet friend Holli sent me a link to her posting, and I adopted her first thing the next morning!
I love animals, and I grew up reading Wind in the Willows and Beatrix Potter, so hedgehogs and rabbits are among the animals I can't help but picture in a waistcoat or making tea. I've always been fascinated by them, and a hedgehog fits into our family perfectly.
Sometimes fate is pretty darn adorable.
So, friends? Meet Ramona.
Likes:
- Treats
- Napping in the crook of my arm (She PURRS!)
- Running in her wheel like she's qualifying for the olympics
- Snuggling inside of my hoodie, where it feels very safe
- Cuddling with our dog Mal, the moment he realized she was an animal and not a toy, but was still using self control to contain his barking
Dislikes:
- Noises other than Kyla's voice
- Movement that is unexpected (see: most movement)
- The veggies that accompany her food, which she mostly doesn't not consider food items
- Mal's barking, which started the moment he realised she is a new animal in the house & didn't have to use self control to contain himself anymore
LAST UPDATED ON: July 9th, 2014
CATEGORY: All Posts
Oh, how cute she is! So good of you to take her. I’m also an animal lover and have had a lot of different ones, but never a hedgehog. What fun!
Awww, this is so cute! And the fact that she snuggles with your dog = adorable! Life can throw wonderful surprises our way :)
OMG how cute!! I can’t believe she purrs! Will she stay that small? I’ve never seen anyone with a hedgehog as a pet.
Stinkin’ cute! I didn’t even know you could have a hedgehog as a pet!
I’m so jealous! I’ve wanted one for years!
Awesome! My sister got a hedgehog a few months ago and she lives next door to me so I’m the go-to hodgesitter :) She has a ridiculous number of names. I believe the official full moniker is Harriet Diego Tiggywinkle, aka Harriet the Hedgehog or Mrs. Tiggywinkle. :)
Adorable! I never knew they purred! Neat.
Ramona is a lucky girl.
We adopted a dog a week and a half ago (I’m sure you’ve probably seen him on Instagram). He’s doing really well, but is a lot of work since he’s never been trained. He only knew his name and he’s 9 months old.
Hope you’re having a great summer Kyla!
Lisa.
I am so freakin’ IN LOVE, Kyla. When can I come visit??
SQUEE!
She’s adorable! That was wonderful of you to adopt her. Please bring her to Hedgie-Con ;) http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/things-we-learned-at-the-hedgehog-convention
!!!!!!!!!!!
i really can’t think of anything halfway intelligent/coherent to say; i’m overwhelmed by what a CUTIE she is! congratulations!
so cute!!
I’ve been following you on instagram so I’ve seen photos of her already, but goodness she is adorable! I had no idea that hedgehogs purred.
I grew up on The Wind in the Willows too so I completely understand your love of bunnies and hedgehogs! I won’t lie, I squealed at these pictures.
ALL I WANT IN LIFE IS A HEDGEHOG.
Oh she is just the most adorable thing ever!
what a doll — she’s totally adorbs!
Oh my word. I want a Ramona!!
Ramona is ADORABLE! She purrs?! Aw! Congrats on your new addition!
Thanks Angie! I’ll give her a pat for you :)
I’m so glad you adopted her! Look how adorable she is.
And thanks for the shout-out…it means the world to me. That was my good deed for the day. <3
Well finding her meant the world to me, thank you again! I couldn’t ask for more in a friend. Except for regular dinner dates, grilled cheese parties & ridiculous animal picture exchanges, so… what I’m saying again is that you’re going to have to have a guest room when you move to the tropics :)
Are you saying you want MORE regular dinner dates and grilled cheese parties? Cause I’m down with that. :)
And as for the tropics, there’s already a room with your name on it. Be sure to bring Ramona.
I’ve always found hedgehogs to be the most peculiar yet most adorable little pets! My husband had always wanted one when he was young but never got to own one. I certainly can see a little prickly friend as a family pet in the future for us, for sure!
They’re really sweet but I can definitely see them not being great for kids, mostly because they’re shy and spikey so when you want to play with them? They might not be into that! And they probably don’t want to meet your friends lol That being said, I think those qualities make them great for adults. Ramona is low maintenance and adorable. Winning her trust has been the sweetest process :)
She is adorable! I love hedgehogs and didn’t know they can pur! We recently (or my husband, rather) brought home an abandoned kitten and we decided to give her a sweet and loving home. Kids love her to bits!
Aw, good job Ana! That kitten is very lucky to have found you – and what lucky kids to have a kitten!
Her purr noise is a little different than a cat’s, it’s more like a very quiet popping noise, but it’s just as cute. I’m going to try to get a video of it :)
I don’t know her and yet I love her. A friend of mine had a hedgehog who just passed away recently. Her name was Coco Kel-e Chanelie and she was so cute and sweet. I’m so glad that you guys were able to open your home to Ramona.
That’s so neat! I’ll give Ramona a little pat from you :)
She’s adorable :)
Thanks Holly! We’re pretty charmed by her too. I mean, she’s not a horse, but still… ;)
So cute! Hedgies can be great pets, my boyfriend had one for years. (His name was Vlad the Impaler.) We learned that it’s good to stay consistent with giving them attention, or they can get a bit grumpy and anti-social. Vee’s favorite treat was strawberries!
Ha! I can see that being the case, and that is a very strong showing in the Hedgehog Naming Department by your boyfriend! I’ve been spending a half hour with her in the morning & the evening since we got her, and it’s made a huge difference but the smallest thing – like taking her downstairs instead of hanging out in my craft room – spooks her incredibly. Those little differences in smell & temperature are all signs of impending doom to her! I’m taking it slow and remembering that we have lots of time for her to settle in and feel safe on her terms. I’ll give her a strawberry from you & Vee tonight :)
LOVE LOVE! Hi Ramona!
Too adorable! LOVE that she purrs! Very sweet :)
Ahhhh love! So glad she’s starting to really settle in! Hang in there Mal! :)
Becky. Real talk. It’s ridiculous how much he barks when he thinks he’s going to see her. He does it now when I use my “talking to the hedgehog” voice anywhere in the house. (Which is a thing, because I’m a ridiculous human being.) I’m waiting for Jesse to come home from his business trip so we can tag team Mal and work on it, because he just boots it away from me when I try to correct him.
Aw, what a sweetheart! Fate is super adorable :)
Thanks Kristin! I think so too ;)