As we enter the holiday season there is one animal that we are constantly reminded of – whether from the pitter-patter of small paws on roof tops, the tracks they make on freshly fallen snow as we go for our bundled up walks with the ones we love, or the way they feature in our decorations and family-heirloom centerpieces.
Of course you must have realized I am talking about the mighty and glorious hedgehog! Today I had the honour and privilege of speaking to the young Nugget around a roaring holiday fire.
Name: Nugget
Age: 8 Months
Breed: 4-toed African Hedgehog
Human: Faith Robitaille, Student Financial Services
Anthony: Nugget! Welcome to the big and beautiful world! You’ve only been around since April but it looks like you’re coming along just fine. What’s your favourite thing about life so far?
Nugget: I get to see the world with my favourite human Faith, she takes me everywhere she goes. People I meet, they go crazy about me because I am just soooooo cute and I am famous! Many people have me on their Facebook (not kidding), but my favourite thing is when people said “this is the best day ever” or “you just made my day” – I like to put a smile on peoples’ faces!
Anthony: That sounds absolutely wonderful! A great way to view the world. We could all learn a little from you. But we’ve got to stay grounded. What’s got you a little worried?
Nugget: Worried… well… Faith loves me too much that my big brother Beau (my canine roommate) gets jealous and I’m pretty sure he wants to eat me… He is smart enough to know that my super stylish spines will poke him so I know he will come around and we’ll become friends… I just have to share my food with him… for now!
Anthony: We’re not going to dodge of any the big questions here: A lot of people think “spikes” when they think of hedgehogs. What’s the worst situation that your spines have gotten you into?
Nugget: When rough kids try to grab me at the park, I spike up! There’s a lot of times when I don’t know what that scent is it causes me to get all spooked an’ spikey! Also, dogs tend to think I’m some sort of squeaky and chewy toy. Definitely had some close calls in the park!
Anthony: I’ve heard that hedgehogs are actually nocturnal! How’s your nightlife in the big city of Vancouver?
Nugget: It is awesome! I love to sleep during the day when no one is home. It’s all quiet and peaceful. I run on my wheel during night time with my biological mama Hazel. I wake up whenever Faith wants to play with me. You’ve gotta stay well rested for plenty of play time. The chilly and rainy winters are perfect for that!
Anthony: From this picture it looks like you and your siblings are posing for an album cover. What was the name of your band? What kind of music did you play? What eventually lead to the breakup of the band?
Nugget: Our band is called R&R, short for RHBN Rollkaway (Rufus is my dad, Hazel is my mom, N is for baby No name, one of my sister that got adopted by other family)! We like to roll on our wheel and compose beautiful music ourselves. My siblings decided to have their own band with their new manager/human.
Anthony: Hedgehogs have a reputation of being a very talking peoples. What gets you going the loudest with your squeaks and squeals?
Nugget: I am actually the quietest kid in the family. The only time I cried was I escaped and got stuck at the end of the cage. Not my proudest moment by far. I cried like a big baby to get help in the middle of night… That’s is the only time I cried or squeaked. I guess I’m just the strong and silent type.
Anthony: Any plans for hibernation this winter?
Nugget: Oooohhhhh yeeaaaaahhh! When Christmas comes, we are only going to sleep, eat, and sleep, and maybe eat. Of course, I know will be lot of eat, sleep, and eat… but she tries not to tell me this part because she thinks I am little over weight. She’s obviously wrong but I think my spines are poking out more than they used to…
Anthony: What about New Years?
Nugget: Faith AND Hazel both said we can stay up all night partying with big brother if we want! They don’t know I already do every night!
At this point I left Nugget to her own devices and giddy happiness while I removed the spines from my warm Christmas sweater.