Coming out of lurking mode... :)

[AnimeMutt]

Hello all! First off, let me say that I've been reading these forums for a while now, soaking in the wealth of great information and entertaining stories. It's definitely helped me to be more prepared when I brought my hedgie home.

I essentially "rescued" Tonya. She's a beautiful one year old albino who was being given away because her owner was moving to California. One of the first things I noticed was how horrible she smelled when he handed her to me. Then I noticed that she was YELLOW. He then told me that she had been dropped a few times by visiting friends, and he was suprised that she didn't ball up and hiss at me.

While it's reccommended that you acclimate a hedgie before bathing, I felt it was necessary to do it immediately. I had no kind of suitable "cleanser", so I just used warm water and a toothbrush. It was during the bathing session that I took notice of just how dirty her feet were. They were so full of poo that they were black! After a few water changes, the smell went away, her quills were much whiter and the water didn't turn yellow any more. By that time, I figured her feet should be pretty easy to clean, thanks to the soaking. WRONG! I did the best I could that night, but she let me know that she'd had enough so I left it for the next night. Also note that I couldn't trim her nails because they were so stained I couldn't see the quick! Before I put her back in her "house", I took everything out and sanitized it. As it dried and finished airing out, we spent some bonding time with a warm and dry towel.

Two weeks later, she's adjusted quite well. She's clean and happy and, in spite of her bad human experiences, is quite friendly. Might I add, she's spoiled rotten!

Most of her behavior could be considered "normal", but last weekend she started doing something that I would consider strange. Sometimes if I come in late or get up in the night and turn the light on, instead of going into hiding, she'll stop where she is and just stand there waiting for me to pick her up! If I take too long, she gets upset and throws a little tantrum until I at least pet her. When I do pick her up, I lay down with her and she stretches out on my chest with her head under my chin and goes to sleep. Is it normal for a hedgie to tell you when (s)he wants attention?

Sorry for the long post. Sometimes I just go on and on and on…[attachment=0:yia2tybs]Tonya 3a.JPG[/attachment:yia2tybs]

[firephoenixla]

She's such a cute hedgie! welcome to the forum

[ReginasMommy]

Oh my gosh!!! She sounds like such a sweetie, and it seems like she definitely appreciates how good of a hedgie parent you are! First of all, I'm so glad she has found a good home! The poor girl, I feel so bad that she was so dirty/smelly... but she's clean and from the picture and your description, quite happy now!

I don't know how "normal" it is for her to tell you she wants attention, but it certainly is special! You're very lucky to have found such a friendly, cuddly hedgie!

Welcome! And please, more pictures of this pretty little baby!

[AnimeMutt]

Thanks for the welcome and yes, she is amazing! We're very lucky to have each other.

She's definitely the snuggling type. I've tried to initate play on a few occasions, but she ignores the toys (even the toilet paper tube) every time and chooses to curl up with me.

Of course, she's not sociable ALL of the time. She definitely lets me know when she needs alone time, and I've accepted that it's not because she's mad at me for something. I guess you could say that it's an adjustment period for both of us.

I'll be having another photo session with her soon, and I'll definitely post more pics (in the photo section, of course).

[PJM]

Welcome to HHC! Congrats on Tonya! Sounds like her life is going to be so much better from now on. And it sounds like you're bonding very well!
Our girl Zoey was very huffy when we first got her. She hadn't been abused or anything, but had very little human contact for a few months before we got her. Now, when I walk into the hedgie's room & she's up, she will run up her ramp to the 2nd floor and wants me to pick her up. She will try to climb up to me, getting her feet all in her water dish in the process. It really blew me away when she first did it & I thought it was just a one time thing. But so far, it's not.
I would say that it's not the norm for hedgies. I think it's unique & special. And I love it.
Can't wait to see more pictures of Tonya!

[lmashbri6983]

Yes, that really is amazing, and you guys who have these 'extra friendly' hedgies are some lucky parents! I love my Layla and I know she loves me back, but she's never been one to greet me from her cage or sit and stare at me till I pick her up. The only times she runs to me is when I set her down outside of her cage, when she'll sniff around and after a few seconds realize that she's not next to mommy and come waddling over . I'm so surprized to hear these stories of hedgies wanting to be picked up and reacting to when their parents walk by, since I've never known a hedgie to care about what's happening outside the cage! I gotta say it's really awesome to hear about these special guys!!!
PS - speaking of normal vs. not, would you say it's more normal for a hedgie to want to stay undercover or to be out in the open?? I'm mostly talking about play and cuddle time - Layla LOVES to cuddle on my lap, but will only be satisfied if I have a blanket on my legs, and she stays completely under it. Yet I also hear of these hedgies that love to cuddle out in the open and I find it amazing!!! What would you say the majority of hedgies go for... covers or no covers??

[Hedgieonboard]

She's beautiful That was so nice of you to take her in, it sounds like her life has improved tremendously and only the start