OK. So why, you ask, would anyone willingly put up with all of this? Once again, if you must ask, you probably won't understand. The following list (responses courtesy of the HEDGEHOG MAILING LIST) represents just a sample of the many reasons we LOVE our HEDGEHOGS!!

Soft little hedgehog sneezes (even when its right in your face and you thought you were going to get a kiss) The insistent butting of a hedgehog nose to get me to move my arm/leg/whatever Don't forget about the hedgie strrretch and yawn (and that looong hedgehog tongue). Back legs straight out behind, front legs reaching way forward, and the determined expression and furrowed brow (quills forward/down). The soft rustle of hedgehog quills as the hedgehog shakes like a dog The hedgie "splat" where they lie down on their tummies with all four legs splayed out to the sides and sleep A long hedgehog tongue licking a wet little hedgehog nose A prickly pile of hedgehogs, sound asleep (and their cute little snores / contented purring) Dainty little hedgefeet The way a hedgehog 'furrows its brow' by bringing it's forehead down partially over its eyes (and then first peeks out of one eye only...just to check) Perpetual hedgehog smiles A hedgehog sound asleep on my lap The mighty pinch of little hedgehog jaws on fingers mistaken for mealworms The grumpy little hedgehog face you see first thing in the morning The gentle sigh of a hedgehog settling down to sleep Tiny hedgehog tails, barely visible under the formidable prickles The center part in the 'hair' on hedgehog foreheads The waddling of a hedgehog running at top speed The way a hedgehog can stay motionless (seemingly forever) while scanning for danger Dusty hedgehog noses, fresh from an investigation under furniture or in corners The attack of a hedgehog on an unsuspecting mealworm Crisp, fuzzy little hedgehog ears The way a hedgehog will sometimes ball up unexpectedly at an unseen threat The scamper of little hedgehog feet on hard surfaces The way hedgehogs stop whatever they are doing and stand silent and motionless when you flip the lights on at night Soft little hedgehog sneezes The way a sleeping hedgie chases unseen prey while dreaming Hedgehog "investigating noses" Dangling hedgehog legs A prickly pile of hedgehogs, sound asleep The way a hedgehog tucks its feet into its skin, like a bag Tiny little hedgehog teeth Defensive creatures only; there is nothing offensive about hedgehogs The way a hedgehog snuggles into the crook of your arm, warm and comfortable Hedgehog quills when they're completely down and feeling smoothe as snakeskin Soft hedgehog tummies The determined look of a hedgehog that's exerting all of its strength to move something or climb something A tangled hedgie in my hair while annointing Squeaking wheel at all hours of nite Hedgie butts The helicoptor-rotor sound they make with their noses when you hold them up to your ears The GOOFY look of a hedgie when he senses a new/different odor in the air: head up, nose way up and wiggling all over, little front teeth showing - kind of a variation of the perpetual smile (maybe more of a grin) Don't forget the wistful squeak of a male hedgie attempting to win over a female The proud yet protective look on a hedgemom's face the first time the 'family' ventures out of the nest Watching a hedgie wake up and STRETCH!!!!! That look of determination on their face as they reach way forward with their legs is priceless. The look of distress/determination/concentration/urgency a hedgie gets on its face just before annointing What other critter is so inexpensively amused with a tp tube? The peaceful, precious expression of a sleeping hedgehog, especially when he is curled up with his head tucked down between all his feet The tiny, perfectly formed feet / claws of a newborn tiglet While annointing, NOTHING can distract a hedgehog - not even a mealie!! OK - this might not be so cute, but it sure gives you something to wonder about: hedgehog poop stuck to the cage wall 3 - 4 inches above the floor!!!!! THAT FACE!!!!!

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