I’ve always wanted a pet, but unfortunately, living at home my parents have some very strict pet rules:
- The pet has to stay inside (since we don’t have a fenced in yard)
- The pet cannot produce an odor
- When the pet passes it must be flushable
I hope you realize by the third rule that this was my parents’ way of saying we were only allowed to have fish. My brother, Matthew, and I were able to find some cool ways around this. Between Matthew and I, we have had mini sharks, Chinese fighting fish, and small water frogs.
But this wasn’t enough for me. Being an extremely busy college student that lives at home alone I was desperate for a pet I could give attention to at night and would be happy for tons of snuggle sessions. Once I convinced my parents to give up the flushable rule, I started looking into a sweet, lovable pet I could call my own and give all my love. Boy, was I in for something else.
I came across a Craigslist post for baby hedgehogs being sold by an exotic petting zoo in Wilmington. I immediate thought, “This is it!” My parents and I visited these baby hedgehogs and my heart melted into pieces. Now, the most basic thing to know about hedgehogs is that they are solitary and overall grumpy, like myself. They don’t take well to new people or smells. Keeping this in mind I didn’t expect any hedgehog interaction when meeting the babies. To my surprise, one of the hedgehogs, obviously nervous, let her curiosity get the best of her and climbed into my hand. This was the moment Riley claimed me as her own.
Having no idea what I was truly getting myself into I brought Riley home right before Christmas. She was obviously confused and unhappy with the smells of her new home, quilling up and giving me “angry eyebrows” when I introduced her to my room. Regardless, Riley would adventure the whole house, smelling, touching, and tasting everything she could become acquainted with. As tough and angry as hedgehogs naturally are, she still accepts me as a friend and takes well to snuggling and selfie sessions because I truly never get used to this adorable face.
Yes, my best friend honestly is a hedgehog. We have more in common than you would think. We both love to eat, take naps tucked all the way under the blankets, are stubborn, need our space, and will always take on a new adventure no matter how nervous or uncomfortable it makes us. Riley has truly made an amazing impact on my life and has taught me how to take care of another being with love and patience.
