Griddy is a hedgehog which was trapped in my cattle grid and rescued by the two little girls in the photo.
He is not the first one to end up in one of my two cattle grids, I rescued one myself and have since filled in the grid nearest my house along the drive. But Griddy was trapped, the ladder out had rotted and he was very lucky that the girls saw him and had the sense to get in touch with the Hedgehog Preservation Society.
In spite of their ferocious appearance hedgehogs are really quite delicate. Had the girls not rescued him he could have died from hypothermia, dehydration, starvation, or a combination of all three. After 48 hours on a heat pad, warming up and resting, he was eating well and putting on much needed weight before returning to the wild. In the meantime, local craftsmen have installed a new ladder in the cattlegrid. In future there is a way out for any creature that falls into it.
The local representatives of the Hedgehog Preservation Society kept me informed of developments and when Griddy was ready for the great outdoors again, they came to me and asked if I would have him to be released. I was gratified to hear that they could think of no better place for a hedgehog than my garden and the surrounding banks, overgrown with brambles, shrubs, hedges and furnished with piles of wood and plenty of hiding places for such a shy creature. I know he is still here, he leaves me signs in the form of black hedgehog poo, although he has possibly started to furnish himself a winter den for hibernation. The weather is still rather warm and I hope he is eating as many slugs as he can find before he withdraws. Any food I leave out is usually gone in the morning, I sincerely hope it's not the marauding cats who eat it.
What an delightful post! I don't know much about hedgehogs but that so many people cared enough about them to not only rescue and nurse this one back to health, then make an escape ladder to prevent other critters from being trapped says a lot about our humanity.
ReplyDeleteI think you're a hedgehog heroine yourself! It sounds as if he's got a good home on your property.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this beautiful hopeful story. Touched my heart as do you. I am wishing you an easy winter and a glorious golden October before.
ReplyDeleteYou are a heroine as others have said for caring enough to take the steps you have. I'm glad the little ones stepped in to rescue. Wishing you and your new friend a happy co-existence.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and uplifting story. This could be a children's story. Best place for the little critter is in your garden.
ReplyDeleteAs others have said this is a truly delightful post. Thank you - and all those involved in Griddy's rescue and release.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Linda. This would make a great children's story. And as well as you've written this you could write it.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to be part of a hedgehog rescue. Bravo to the two girls who alerted the authorities.
ReplyDeleteLucky Griddy! I hope he sleeps well in his cosy hiding place in your garden, and maybe starts a family next year to help with the slugs.
ReplyDeleteGriddy - what a great name ... how wonderful and what a story to tell us. I'm so pleased the kids helped rescue him ... they'll be great friends to see on occasions ... perhaps to catch up with Griddy or his hiding places - lots of reciprocity possibilities here. What fun and I'm so pleased it's giving you so much pleasure ... delightful - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteFriko, I think it would be wonderful to have a hedgehog in one's garden. We have feral cats, possums, raccoons, box turtles, etc.... but never a hedgehog. I'm happy that Griddy was rescued and now has a permanent home with you.
ReplyDeleteWell, of course the hedgehog would be returned to you, It's where it lived before getting trapped.
ReplyDeleteGood for your two hedgehog heroines! Now let's hope Griddy knows enough not to fall back into the cattle grid, or if he does he has the ability to use a ladder.
ReplyDeleteOH, I love Griddy! I love his name, his sweet face. He's so Wind in the Willows! And now he's in your care. I'm so grateful these two young women found him and took the right actions and that he will be "good to go." What a beautiful spot he will have in which to hibernate and awaken in the spring. Oh, this is my favorite post of the day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience for all concerned: the girls, the various human hedgehog lovers, and of course Griddy himself. There's another British blogger I read who has been immersed in hedgehog rescue for years; there are times when her home is awash in the darling creatures. The ladder's a great idea. As the old song has it, "little things mean a lot."
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would make a great story. I would love to read it again and again to my grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteYour story of rescue made me smile Friko, a lovely tale of 3 heroines, you included.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
First time to comment but have been reading your blog for years. Thank you for a lovely and uplifting story
ReplyDeleteSince I was a little boy I was intrigued with hedgehogs.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet that they saved him!
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