Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season!!

With much Health & Happiness in the New Year!

The Sad Effects of Global Warming on our Animals

Abandoned baby hedgehogs are too weak to hibernate
by DAVID DERBYSHIRE

These lame baby hedgehogs are casualties of the chaotic weather.

They should be asleep for the winter - but instead they are nursing their broken bones at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The RSPCA says its rescue centres are looking after hundreds of abandoned hedgehogs born during the exceptionally mild autumn and who are too small or weak to hibernate.

A baby hedgehog worse for wear after a year of chaotic weather

The odd weather has also led to a shortage of their favourite grubs, beetles, slugs and caterpillars.

RSPCA wildlife scientist Adam Grogan said: "They need to gain weight before they can hibernate."

Weak hedgehogs like the one above have broken bones and are being nursed back to health

The hedgehog with 'global balding'

A nice, soft fluffy coat is of little use to a hedgehog.

But poor old Glen is having to make do without any prickles - apparently thanks to global warming.

Vets believe his freak appearance was caused by the stress of missing out on his winter hibernation.

He was found in Peebles in the Scottish Borders long after he should have nodded off into a deep sleep until spring. He had a few prickles but now even they have fallen out.

Alison Pearson, who runs the nearby Border Beasties hedgehog sanctuary, said: "A lot of creatures miss out on hibernation. They don't recognise it is autumn because the weather is too warm or they hibernate and wake up after a few days of mild weather.

"We believe this little fellow missed out on his hibernation altogether and the stress of still being awake and trying to fend for himself has caused him to shed his prickles."

Mrs Pearson said she cannot rehome Glen until they grow back, adding: "He needs his prickly coat to survive. He does look a sorry sight."

I received an email today from Beth at Critter Camp to let me know they rescued a sweet little hedgehog they named Nicky. Nicky was found wandering around at a pet store. Apparently, someone bought him and decided they didn't want him anymore and just left him. What is wrong with people?? Good news is, Nicky is now in Beth's care and has a loving, forever home. Beth wanted to let me know that Nicky is using some of Razzle's items we donated a few weeks ago!! :)

Beth posted the following photos of Nicky using of Razzle's hedgie-bags:


And it wouldn't be like Razzle to not have any coincidences surrounding events having to do with him! The hedgie-bag that Nicky is using in these photos is the very same hedgie-bag in the following photo of Razzle. This was the photo used to create his "birthday" cake on the day he passed away. Also, is it me, or do Nicky and Razzle look strikingly alike?


I am so happy that Nicky is safe in a loving home, and feel so good knowing he is cuddling up in a warm, soft hedgie-bag that my baby once snuggled in.

I get the feeling that Razzle is pleased too.

CRITTER CAMP!!

This weekend Steve and I ventured up to German Valley, Illinois to go to CRITTER CAMP - an exotic animal sanctuary about 2 hours away from Chicago. I wanted to donate some of Razzle's things. I know Razzle would like to know his things were helping other little critters that could use them.

We met with Beth, who I swear is a saint for rescuing all these animals that have either been abused, abandoned and/or just left on her doorstep.

All of these animals have been given a second chance and so well taken care of. Beth gave us a tour and she knows the name of every single animal. I hopefully can remember some of their names. All of them were so sweet and we had so much fun meeting them all!

Shadow the Artic fox! He was so pretty...

Flash the Fennec Fox - he was so sweet!

Look at those ears!

You can't help but say "Awww!"

Quagmire, the cute Bearded Dragon

He was very friendly!

Hello from Chi-Chi!

Guinea Pig Land!

Bunny Land!

A degu!

The ferrets were so cute!

Sugar Glider!

Petey the Parrot

Turtles!

Last but not least, this is Prickleball!!

Prickleball showing everyone who is boss!

This is only SOME of the animals that reside at Critter Camp.
Check out Critter Camp's webpage with photos of all the animals HERE.

Critter Camp is a non-profit organization doing such wonderful work helping animals and providing them with a loving, forever home. If you are in the Illinois area, it is so worth a trip to visit the animals and make a donation. If you love animals and want to support a really unique exotic sanctuary that is doing such great work, I encourage you to make a donation, no matter how small. Every bit helps. Just imagine all the work that goes into helping these animals.

Critter Camp's Video - great shots of all the animals we saw!

A Special Birthday Sign?

This afternoon, shortly after I posted the last post with the Razzle pendant, Steve picked me up early from work so we could go home and open birthday presents! As always, I was thinking of Razzle, and my birthday wish for today was "I hope he's happy."

Today was a bright sunny and warm day. Driving home, all of a sudden out of the clear blue sky, it started to rain. We looked up and saw one single dark cloud that was right over our car. There were sunny, blue skies directly ahead. Then we saw the rainbow.

It was the biggest rainbow I have ever seen - a full arch - with the bright end of the rainbow going right into Lake Michigan.
I took as many pictures as I could, and as quickly as it had started, the rain stopped and we were back in bright, clear, sunny blue skies.

Somewhere, over that rainbow, is my Razzle, and I think he was saying: Happy Birthday Mom! I'm ok and happy! And by the way, nice pendant!