Harriet the Hedgehog: My Unforgettable Slug-Hunting Companion
When I asked my vet for a hedgehog to help manage the slug population in my garden, I never expected to welcome such a unique and endearing creature into my home. The vet connected me with Tiggywinkles, a wildlife hospital in Buckinghamshire, where I met Harriet, a rather shy hedgehog who would soon carve out a special place in my heart.
A Shy Start in the Garden
I brought Harriet home in a cardboard box, placing it on its side on the ground. She cautiously poked her nose out, but as soon as she saw me, she quickly scuttled off to hide in a corner of the garden. Despite her initial timidity, Harriet settled in well and proved to be an efficient slug hunter, diligently eating all the pests. She made her bed in an old compost bag, which I enhanced with dried leaves for extra comfort.
An Unexpected Indoor Adventure
One day, while relaxing on the sofa with my legs stretched out, I felt something touching my bare toes. To my surprise, it was Harriet, curiously examining them. She had ventured inside through the cat flap. When I moved, she ran off, and I thought little of it until a few nights later. In the early hours, I heard a distressing noise from the landing—it was Harriet, who had returned, climbed the stairs, and was shrieking loudly.
Upon seeing me, she panicked and dashed into the airing cupboard, hiding behind the hot water tank. Unable to coax her out, I went back to bed. The next morning, I placed her compost sack in the airing cupboard, and by the afternoon, she was nestled inside. I carried her back to the garden so she could resume her slug patrol.
Making a Cozy Home in the Airing Cupboard
However, Harriet found the airing cupboard even cozier than her sack and soon returned to her spot behind the boiler. For the next two years, this became her sleeping quarters. I provided water and a little dried cat food, though the latter was unnecessary as she continued her outdoor slug-hunting duties. I would occasionally encounter her on the stairs, a reminder of her presence in my daily life.
A Helpful Pest Controller
During one hot summer, I was away for a few days and left the Velux windows in my attic bedroom slightly open. Upon returning, I found my bedroom floor covered in dead wasps that had entered, become trapped, and succumbed to heat and dehydration. After leaving them briefly while I made a cup of tea, I returned to discover they had vanished—I suspect Harriet had feasted on them, showcasing her unexpected pest-control skills.
A Fond Farewell
Two years after Harriet's arrival, I had to travel and took her back to the vet. I explained that she had enjoyed a very comfortable life in the airing cupboard and hoped she could find an equally cozy new home. Perhaps she met a Henry hedgehog and raised some hoglets, continuing her story elsewhere.
Although Harriet was never a traditional pet who enjoyed cuddles or sitting on my lap, she was a significant part of my life. Her quiet companionship and diligent work in the garden left a lasting impression. Harriet the hedgehog still holds a corner of my heart, a testament to the unexpected bonds we can form with wildlife.
