Well our beloved senior hedgehog, Clementine, had surgery on Dec 30th to remove a growth from her cheek. Today we got the lab results back and unfortunately, it came back malignant...epithelial T-cell sarcoma.  At 3 1/2 we are grateful for the time we have left with Clementine.  She is a wonderful girl and very much loved.  Hopefully we will have a few more months with her:

While we eagerly await the birth of some new litters, I have the pleasure of directing some of you prospective hedgie parents to www.northattleborohedgehogrescue.com .  I have just posted several rescue/surrendered hedgehogs that are looking for perfect forever homes.  If you are interested, please fill out an adoption form on that website and send it to me.  I will review and contact you if I feel you would be a good match.  These guys will not go first come first serve.  They will only go to the highest quality homes and the  best possible parents. thanks

Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy.  Of family gatherings, of good wishes, of presents..of peace and happiness.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case.  A tragedy has struck our family and saddened our Christmas.  My cousin's newborn died of SIDS on Sunday morning.  He was a little miracle baby and was doing so well.  He was happy, developing and surpassing all his milestones.  He had just begun to belly laugh and was already rolling over.  He was a ray of sunshine and such a source of joy for all of us.

This tragedy seems cruel, heartless and hateful.  It makes it hard to remember this suppose to be the season of joy.  It would have been Jimmy's first Christmas.  Please keep Baby Jimmy and our family in your prayers this holiday.

Well unfortunately both Star and Opal (both first time moms) destroyed their litters.  Its very common but still very upsetting to come across.  I am hoping that we will have more success next time around with these females.  I am waiting litters from Butterfly and Summer...both look great and are expecting around the 20th.  Please say a prayer for these little ones that their babies will be happy and healthy.

Well we have had a real draught here on litters ever since fall and now winter has arrived.  We have had several pairings and so far no babies....it is a bit sad and disappointing to go so long between litters but it is expected.  I am still hopeful that we will have a litter or 2 shortly before xmas.

In the meantime, I am happy to refer any potential customers to other local breeders and will most likely have some  hedgehogs up for adoption soon via my related website for those interested in a rescue or retired breeder:

www.northattleborohedgehogrescue.com

 

Boarding is available for your hedgehog or small caged pet (no snakes) over the holidays.  You will need to provide the following:

- cage

- bedding

- food

- vet's phone number

- your phone number (phone you can be reached at in case of emergency)

- Pet must be healthy, free of known illnesses, mites, fleas, etc. 

We will board, feed, change bedding as needed and spoil your pet while you are away.

Contact for more information

We are offering a Black Friday special at Pierce's Pogs Stores:

http://www.piercespogs.com/giftstore.html - all items are 50% off (in stock only items -so first come first serve)

 

http://www.piercespogs.com/Supplies.html -

Stay open bags - usually 8.00 are 6.00 for in stock only fabrics

Scoops - usually 6.00 are 4.00 for in stock only fabrics

Snugglers - usually 7.00 are 5.00 for in stock only fabrics

Custom made hedgehog Tubes - usually 15.00 are 10.00 in stock only

Hot water Bottles - usually 5.00 are 4.00

Shipping, handling and taxes do apply

All items can be shipped

This offer is good Friday Oct 28th 12 am EST to Sat Oct 29th 12 am EST

To take advantage of this offer, email PIERCESPOGS@HOTMAIL within the above metionned time frame with a list of the requested items, your name, address including zip code.  I will email you back with a total price including the tax and shipping and once I receive payment via paypal I will ship your items.  If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, the items are returnable for a refund provided they are received back unused.

 

With Thanksgiving coming up next week, there is the chance that many hedgehog owner will be traveling.  Hedgehogs need daily care and thus are not the type of pet that can be left alone for extended periods of time.  If you are traveling this means you have a few choices, take the hedgie with you, find someone who will come to your house daily to care for him or find a small animal/exotics boarder.

Car travel for extended hours can be tough on pet and human.  Bring lots of paper towels and realize up front that the hedgehog may become car sick.  Take breaks to clean the carrier, offer clean water and check on him/her throughout the trip.

Do not assume that if you are traveling by air that you will be able to take your hedgehog on board as carry on.  In fact, I am not sure that any airlines allow this anymore.  Be prepared, call the airline and find out what their policy is on transporting small exotics.  Some will allow them in the baggage compartment.  You will want to make sure it is pressurized and look into travel heat source such as hot hands or something similar.  Dont try to smuggle your hedgie on board.  If you are caught before the plane leave it will be confiscated and you will be in big trouble.

The easiest is to find a friend to stop by and feed/water daily.  Leave clear directions, the number of your vet and your cell phone number in case of emergency. Have the person come over for a "dry run" to see how you care for the hedgie, scoop the cage, etc and leave very clear instructions.

Another option is to board your pet.  There are some people who offer boarding of small exotics in their homes, also some vets that offer the same.  If there is a hedgehog breeder in your area or a hedgehog rescue they too may be open to boarding your hedgehog while you are gone.  Again leave for them, the food you have been feeding the hedgie, clean bedding, the number of the vet and your phone number.  Check to ensure the space they will be kept is adequate, get references, make sure that boarded animals are quarantined from other pets in the house, and of course that the room is heated.  Fees vary from place to place

After the holidays are done and everyone is home, clean your hedgies cage thoroughly, give a treatment of Revolution to be on the safe side and enjoy being home.

Happy Holidays everyone

 

About our New Homemade Hedgehog Food

This is a whole foods diet based on the specific needs of the hedgehog without fillers, preservatives, artificial colorings or flavorings.  Because there are no fillers you feed less, the hedgehog gets exactly what they need for nutrition, you have less waste and a cleaner cage.  As there are no preservatives, this product can be refrigerated for up to 3 wks or frozen for up to 6 mths.  Just take out what you need for the week and leave the rest in the freezer.

The cost of the food is higher than what you would pay a breeder for their mix of commercial brands BUT you have to remember you are feeding 1/2 of the amount you normally would and the ingredients are all natural and top of the line.  You dont need to worry anymore about food recalls!  And your hedgie will love it.....all mine do.

Ingredients include:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

Grasshoppers/crickets

Whole Wheat flour

Rye Flour

Corn meal

Wheat Germ

Parsley

Omega 3 fatty acids

Pumpkin

Water

Vitamin supplement

Quart sized vacuum packed bag is 10.00

Gallon sized vacuum packed bag is 20.00

Shipped priority via post office

Stats are as follows:

Protein 37%

Fat 9%

 

We all have wonderful idyllic images of that golden labrador puppy under the tree with a red ribbon on his neck on Xmas morning.  But what they dont show is the havoc, confusion and chaos that follows that idyllic moment when family starts arriving, gifts are being opened, people are coming in and out and that poor pet is being passed around like a toy or shoved away and forgotten in a room.

Whatever the pet, dont buy on impulse because you are looking for that "big gift" for Johnny. Give thought to what you are buying and the ramifications that follows for the weeks,months, years to come of taking care of that animal.  If you are sure you want a pet for your child's gift then either give it to them 2 wks before Xmas or a week or so after Xmas.  It will be a more pleasant experience for you, your child and of course the pet.