houseful of hedgehogs

MEMORIAL TO PHOEBUS APOLLO

Apollo, my precious little parrotlet, has left this world. He was so full of life until a recent illness weakened him. He was a stunningly beautiful little parrot with a vibrant personality.  He talked and loved attention from friends and family. Here are his birth announcement and a few pictures:

“BE IT KNOWN TO ALL MEN

That I

PHOEBUS APOLLO

BEING MONARCH OF THE SKY, EVEN AS

MY UNCLE NEPTUNE IS MONARCH OF THE SEA,

Am

LORD OF ALL THINGS

THAT FLY “

A very young, but much prettier Apollo, learns to eat his vegetables.

Just after last Christmas, Apollo is exploring some of my hedgehog gifts.

 

Parrotlets are wonderful companions.  They have all the personality of a larger parrot in a tiny form.  They are full of adventure and love.  I miss Apollo terribly.

 

WALKING AND MAGNETIC HEDGEHOGS

On a recent trip to see my brother and sister-in-law near Chicago, my nephew's wife presented me with this adorable wooden hedgehog that walks down a ramp.  It clicks along and is so cute to watch!

I found this sweet, stuffed hedgehog with magnetic feet while I was shopping there.  He is made by the German toy company, NICI, but I couldn't find a good website for either toy.

Speaking of toys, Herisson has a new favorite--orange ball.  He loves to play catch on the deck now that the weather has been good enough for him to discover the outside world.

 

HEDGEHOG VALENTINE WISHES

Happy Hedgehog Valentine's Day wishes to everyone!  Little Herisson doesn't want to be left out of the festivities. He is definitely a huggable boy!

HEDGEHOG BOOT-SCRAPERS AND DOOR MAT

Hedgehogs have the perfect shape and bristliness to make adorable boot-scrapers. All of these came from the U.S. as gifts. The only one with a name is the deluxe model, "The Original Henry the Hedgehog," mounted on a board with a metal scraper.

With all the snow and ice we are currently having, boot-scrapers and door mats are certainly required.  However, my hedgehogs will not be in service. I brought this sweet door mat back from Ireland, and no one has ever stepped on it.

Herisson has made a couple of forays out into the snow. He's having his first adventure catching snowflakes on his tongue.

NEW CHRISTMAS HEDGEHOGS

My thoughtful friends and relatives have again been able to find some sweet and unusual hedgehogs for Christmas gifts. The beautiful gold glitter ornament will sparkle on the hedgehog Christmas tree. The rare little fellow in the center is Harmony Kingdom MP's Fragile World Hedgehog in Chestnut, a gift from my husband. The last little guy with an exceptionally long nose came all the way from Russia.

 

Two figures of Toy Story's Mr. Prickle Pants are looking over a copy of Jan Brett's The Hat. Mr. Prickle Pants almost met a tragic fate when he was mistakenly given to Herisson by my husband. Herisson, of course, got some hedgehogs for Christmas, too.

HEDGEHOG CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Eliza and Alfie, my beautiful Senger Tierpuppen hedgehogs, wish you a Very Happy Christmas! Little Herisson, our new puppy, joins them in wishing you holiday cheer.

HEDGEHOG CHRISTMAS TREE

The hedgehog Christmas tree is finally decorated and waiting for the gifts.  However, I don't think they will be under the tree this year.  My little helper has already been into the tape.

WOODLAND FRIENDS HEDGEHOG AND HERISSON

A friend I visited recently in Texas surprised me with this Woodland Friends Hedgehog statue. He looks as if he is headed for a picnic, but he is actually a key holder with a bronze finish.  What a lovely gift!

Herisson is finally home, weighing in at a whopping 2.5 pounds. He is a great little puppy and loves his hedgehog toys!

HEDGEHOG MUGS AND HERISSON

Now that the weather is turning colder, it's time to get out the mugs and teacups!

Introducing: Herisson, my new puppy.  He is an adorable Maltipoo and will be coming home next week. There's so much to do to prepare for his arrival.  I hope he likes hedgehogs!

MEMORIAL TO BUDDY

BUDDY                  April 12, 1999 to August 26, 2010

Buddy was a beautiful dog in every way. He was my son's loyal companion for more than 11 years. He was sweet, friendly to almost everyone, and loved by the people who knew him. 

Buddy was a handsome miniature pinscher from the time he was a baby.

He thought he was tough when he wore his leather jacket.

 

Buddy was alert and watchful, and he almost talked with his expressions.

We will always remember Buddy with the greatest love.