charlie
Stuck on Hedgies
Hector passed away on Saturday morning. No advanced notice, when my mom woke up he hadn't eaten his food and was having a little trouble breathing and was wobbly. We had a vet appointment in an hour and were taking him immediately but he didn't last that long. We can only hope that he died feeling safe and loved.
He will be greatly missed in our family and was quite an amazing soul. Rescued from a very bad situation and discovered during a building fire, he came to us blind and petrified of human voices. Over the year and a half that we had him, he became the smartest and bravest hedgehog we've seen (but I'm sure there are many out there). He ran freely in our living room for hours, navigating amongst the furniture as if he could see as clear as day. He played with his toys, loved chasing his mini soccer ball around, and would come when he was called (mostly because he knew that if he came he was going to be rewarded with some fantastic treat - papaya was his favorite). He never did warm up to human touch until his death when he cuddled on my mom's lap as he passed. Tim and I were sadly coming home (as fast we could) from a weekend trip to be there for him and did not make it on time. I wish we had been there to say goodbye to him, I had no reason to think his time was coming.
Our home is quite lonely right now with two open cages. I guess that means we have room for some more rescues should any arise. The loss of Hector has been very hard, he was our first rescue, our inspiration if you will, and he will not be forgotten. When it is this painful, I find my self wondering how other rescues manage when they have several losses. I guess it is that we make them happier, even if it is for such a short time.:tissue:
He will be greatly missed in our family and was quite an amazing soul. Rescued from a very bad situation and discovered during a building fire, he came to us blind and petrified of human voices. Over the year and a half that we had him, he became the smartest and bravest hedgehog we've seen (but I'm sure there are many out there). He ran freely in our living room for hours, navigating amongst the furniture as if he could see as clear as day. He played with his toys, loved chasing his mini soccer ball around, and would come when he was called (mostly because he knew that if he came he was going to be rewarded with some fantastic treat - papaya was his favorite). He never did warm up to human touch until his death when he cuddled on my mom's lap as he passed. Tim and I were sadly coming home (as fast we could) from a weekend trip to be there for him and did not make it on time. I wish we had been there to say goodbye to him, I had no reason to think his time was coming.
Our home is quite lonely right now with two open cages. I guess that means we have room for some more rescues should any arise. The loss of Hector has been very hard, he was our first rescue, our inspiration if you will, and he will not be forgotten. When it is this painful, I find my self wondering how other rescues manage when they have several losses. I guess it is that we make them happier, even if it is for such a short time.:tissue:
I remember his rescue story from the very beginning on CnQ as well as the wonderful vid clips posted on YouTube. He was such an amazing creature. He was an ultimate example of how unconditional love could transform a shy, scared hedgie into a very special "friend". I'm so happy for Hector that he had found you and learned to trust humans because of you. I know he'll be watching over you and your family from Rainbow Bridge cheering you on to continue your rescue effort - he wants other hedgies in need to feel as safe and happy as he was with you. Rest in peace, Hector the warrior. You'll always be remembered by us.
