Sunday 21 August 2011

I AM GOING TO BE A FOSTER MUM!!!!!!!!!!!

That is a hedgehog foster Mum......The day before we lost Matthew I was asked if I would like to get more involved in looking after hedgehogs and would I be prepared to become a foster Mum to little baby orphaned hoglets. 
In the Autumn the wildlife services become over run with little babies which need to be weaned and looked after which have become orphaned. Many are too tiny and underweight to hibernate in the Winter and die and as Hedgehogs are decreasing every year we need to look after these little protected creatures. It may also mean that I will have to look after them throughout the cold winter months indoors and release them when it warms up in March/April time. 


At the moment I am looking after two amputee hedgehogs which I have found sick in my garden missing limbs. Murdoch and Billy are doing really well and hopefully in the next week or so they will be well enough to release back into the garden. 


I have just been shown how the inject antibiotics into Murdoch which I have to do on a daily basis. This wasn't too hard for me as I have to inject myself weekly lol!. 


I have managed to get hold of a double hutch and will be setting up my conservatory to look after them. I even won a big cage from EBAY today for 99p!!!. I am having some supplies from the Wildlife Services too which will be a big help and already I have another big outdoor cabin and lots of food which they have supplied recently.


I am going to leave you with a few picture's of Murdoch and Billy;


THIS IS BILLY WHO I FOUND EATING FROM THE DISHES JUST OUTSIDE THE CONSERVATORY A WEEK AGO TODAY. BILLY HAD A LOT OF TICKS ON HIM AND WHEN I EXAMINED HIM UNDERNEATH MOST OF HIS RIGHT HIND LEG WAS MISSING. I GOT HIM TO THE VET AND THEY OPERATED AND HE HAS BEEN RECOVERING AT HOME WITH ME SINCE TUESDAY & DOING SO WELL.




THIS IS BIG MURDOCH!!!! THIS GORGEOUS HOGGY HAS BEEN WITH ME FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW AND IS ON HIS THIRD LOT OF ANTIBIOTICS. AGAIN, THE SAME AS BILLY I EXAMINED MURDOCH AND REMOVED TICKS AND I COULD SMELL REALLY BAD INFECTION ON HIM AND WHEN I LOOKED HIS REAR LEFT LEG HAD BEEN CUT CLEAN OFF. THE VETS RECKON IT IS PEOPLE USING STRIMMERS WHEN CUTTING THEIR GRASS BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED. MURDOCH HAS ANOTHER 4 DAYS OF ANTIBIOTICS AND A FEW DAYS TO SEE HOW HE IS AND HOPEFULLY BACK INTO THE GARDEN.





Just to let you know when I can release these little guys I will mark them so I know exactly who is who whenever I see them outside. Nail varnish is one of the safest and best things to use and stays on their spikes. Just another good reason to buy loads of different funky colours!!!!. 

Matthew was amazed by all of our little creatures when he came over for a holiday 5 years ago and I think he would have happily snuck them into his suitcase!!! Matthew has always loved animals and reckon he would be giving me a big thumbs up.

Thank you for stopping by.

Love and hugs Clare xxx   


11 comments:

  1. Hello Clare. How lovely to read about you and your love of little hedgehogs. They are so lucky to have you to care for them.
    Hope you are feeling a little better. Will speak soon hopefully.
    Lots of love, Sandra xxx

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  2. awwww Bless we have some come in our garden usually end of august early sept time Jasper thinks they are a ball to play with daft dog I love their little faces so sweet
    Scruff is doing ok still no help from CP though so going to get back intouch in the week as they keep passing us from person to another but he came in the house today which he has done a couple of times now but this time he even came into the living room bless him and started eating Jaspers tea poor dog didn't know what to do.Anyway good luck with your new babies I don't envy you if you have to feed them all through the night lol take care
    Jacki ♥♥

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  3. Woo hoo this is brilliant news Clare. I know you will give them so much love, care and attention. such a great thing to do. I'm sure Matthew will be keeping watch over you too. Lots of hedgie love and hugs Sally xxx

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  4. Well I am not at all surprised Clare! You do a wonderful job with those Hedgehogs and any of them that come into your care can expect the best and TLC in abundance.

    Hugs
    Dee
    xxx

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  5. WOW great news hun and what great pictures too - you will do a great job in being a foster mum to these hoglets - look forward to regular updates. Hugs, Claire x

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  6. aww hun
    that is fabulous news you do such good work with them, i never see hedgies anymore in my little garden, look forward to seeing some pics. sue,x

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  7. Can't find an email hun, anything i can send to help?? you n me both be foster mums, me for birdies, sue,x

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  8. Clare what wonderful work you are doing! Maybe the RA is a blessing in disguise so you are able to stay home and care for all your little hedgehogs. I am amazed at how they let you handle them being wild animals, you must have a special touch and they can sense how caring you are. Congrats!

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  9. Awesome awesome newsxxx You will be perfect for this role in your life Clare Love you heaps xxxx

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  10. Hello!

    What amazing news Clare! So glad youve been put to good use at long last!! lmao!!

    I love their little boutique hotel and wonder which one will be getting the penthouse apartment?! I can just imagine, your conservatory will be filled with hotels, hostels, b&bs and pods all filled with hedgies for the winter; I mean what hedgie in Polegate is gonna want to fight the cruel winter weather when they can get 5* luxury at yours!! You'll wake up one morning to find a queue all the way down the road, all waiting patiently for their stay too!

    Seriously, Im so pleased youve been given this new role as I know how much it means to you and there's no one better suited for it than you! Enjoy!

    Keryn x

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  11. Ah congratulations Clare, no better hedgie Mum around I am sure. They are so big too, you are so brave handling them like that. I love their little homes and your Matthew would certainly be proud of you, we all are!!

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