Harriet the Hedgehog: The Unlikely Pet Who Made a Home in My Airing Cupboard
Harriet entered my life when I inquired with my vet about acquiring a hedgehog to manage the slug population in my garden. The vet connected me with Tiggywinkles, a wildlife hospital based in Buckinghamshire, where Harriet was found. She was rather shy from the start. I transported her home in a cardboard box, placed it on its side on the ground, and watched as she cautiously poked her nose out. Upon seeing me, she quickly scurried off to hide in a secluded corner of the garden.
From Garden Helper to Household Guest
Harriet adapted well to her new environment and efficiently performed her slug-eating duties. She slept in an old compost bag in the garden, which I enhanced with dried leaves to create a cozy bed. One evening, while relaxing on the sofa with my legs extended, I felt a gentle touch on my bare toes. It was Harriet, curiously examining them after entering through the cat flap. She dashed away when I moved, and I initially dismissed the incident.
However, a few nights later, in the early hours, I was awakened by a distressing noise emanating from the landing. It was Harriet, who had returned, climbed the stairs, and begun shrieking loudly. When she spotted me, she panicked and fled into the airing cupboard, concealing herself behind the hot water tank. Unable to retrieve her, I retreated to bed. The following morning, I relocated her compost sack to the airing cupboard. By afternoon, she had nestled inside, allowing me to carry her back to the garden to resume her slug patrol.
A Cozy Residence Behind the Boiler
Despite the comfort of her sack, Harriet found the airing cupboard even more inviting and soon returned to her spot behind the boiler. She resided there for the next two years. I provided water and a small amount of dried cat food, though the latter was largely unnecessary as she continued her outdoor slug-hunting expeditions. Our paths would occasionally cross on the stairs.
During a hot summer, I was away for several days, leaving the Velux windows in my attic bedroom slightly ajar. Upon my return, the bedroom floor was littered with dead wasps that had entered, become trapped, and succumbed to heat and dehydration. After setting aside the cleanup for a cup of tea, I later discovered the wasps had vanished—likely consumed by Harriet.
A Fond Farewell and Lasting Memories
Two years after her arrival, my travel plans necessitated returning Harriet to the vet. I explained her comfortable airing cupboard lifestyle and requested she be placed in an equally snug new home. Perhaps she found a companion, such as a Henry hedgehog, and raised a family of hoglets.
While Harriet never exhibited typical pet behaviors like cuddling or climbing onto my lap, she became a significant part of my life. Harriet the hedgehog still holds a special corner of my heart, a testament to the unexpected bonds we form with wildlife.
