One Year Ago...

I can't believe a year has already gone by since Razzle's passing.

I guess the weirdest part about a year going by is that, for the past year I've been able to look back and think, "oh last year at this time..." and recall an event when Razzle was still with us. It's like time stood still around here as far as Razzle's things. His cage with his igloo, wheel and his toys are all in the same spot. The 'message board' in our kitchen still has his medicine schedule on it. I just haven't wanted to let go of him.

His ashes were even still in the black container from the crematorium. I have been looking for a year for the perfect "urn", but nothing seemed perfect enough. I wanted to make one, but I could never find the right materials. I finally bought a very natural looking piece of pottery that I thought was nice, but it took me about 6 months to get used to it. It also took me that long to get the nerve to open up the black container to tranfer the ashes. I did that today, at 11:49am, the time that Razzle passed over to the Rainbow Bridge.

It was hard to see the little packet of dust and bone, but I think I needed to wait a year before I could have done this. I placed some of Razzle's blankies, along with a letter I wrote him, into the urn and carefully nestled the packet of ashes in. Steve and I then told Razzle how much we miss him and how he will never be forgotten.

I think the urn is fitting for Razzle. It's very natural looking, with etchings that look like quills. I especially like the twig with the curly-q sprig. It's very original. Just like Razzle.

Happy Birthday, dear Razzle

Today would have been Razzle's 4th birthday. July 3rd isn't the day Razzle was born (I don't know that date) but is the day that I got Razzle and my life changed forever.

Steve and I will be celebrating tonight with a special dinner and angel food cake for our little angel. I'll update more tonight.

Happy Birthday, my sweet Razzle!!

Tonight we had a special dinner of sushi and reminisced about the first time Razzle tried shrimp. He went crazy over it and proceeded to anoint furiously, ending up with a huge frothy mess of shrimp gunk all over his quills.
So, in honor of Razzle, we had to get some shrimp maki rolls.

We were hungry when we ordered (delivery! Gotta love Chicago!), and ended up with waaay more food than we really needed. You know you ordered a lot of food when they include four sets of chopsticks.


There was, of course, birthday cake as well. Angel food cake with strawberries and cream. Mmmm. And yes, I made those little angel food "baskets" from scratch!

Happy Birthday, little angel!

We sure miss you, little pumpkin. Things are just not the same without you. I hope that once in a while, you look down from your big meal-worm field in the sky and know how much we think of you and love you.

Hedgehogs gaining popularity as pets in UK - not a good thing

Article from Metro.co.uk

This is scary and sad. I hate to see hedgehogs gaining popularity around the world as the "new cool pet".

Two six-week-old African pygmy hedgehogs show just why they are considered so cute

Meet some spiky fellows who have joined the list of Britain's most sought after pets – African pygmy hedgehogs.

The cuteness of the critters means that some people are even prepared to wait a year or drive more than 500km to pick one up.

First bred in captivity in the US about ten years ago, they are now being sold here for as much as £150 each. Brighter in colour than their counterparts in the wild, they are a cross between Algerian and white- bellied hedgehogs.


Breeder Bonnie Martin, 35, from Fairford, Gloucestershire, said: 'They are incredibly cute and can fit in the palm of your hand.

'They are just as cute as a hamster or a guinea pig but they have the added “wow” and novelty factor.

'They are a very easy pet to handle and cheaper to maintain than a cat.'

She claimed they were 'convenient' pets because they sleep during the day, when you are at work, and wake up when you return in the evening.

Mrs Martin said it was hard to keep up with demand. 'I have a waiting list that is 20-strong, which is about five litters and will take about a year to clear,' she added. 'One man in Edinburgh is waiting to pick one up.'

However, Les Stocker, founder of Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was critical of the trend.

'I think it's absolutely appalling,' Mr Stocker said. 'I don't think they make very good pets. They are nocturnal and you can't cuddle them. They never tame.

'The real worry is that people will start picking up wild hedgehogs and keeping them as pets.'

Click HERE for original article and reader's comments.

There's a Birthday in the House!

Razzle's pal Geoffrey is THREE today!! Geoffrey is the cutest little boy who is loved so very much by his parents.

Click HERE to see an adorable picture of Geoffrey and read his birthday cards!

Happy, Happy Birthday sweet Geoffrey and we are wishing you many, many, many more!