Introducing: Ci Wei the Hedgehog

[hedgiesrluvd]

Hi everyone,

First and foremost, thanks to all of you who gave input on whether it's better for a first time owner to get a young hedgie or an adult. As you all explained, there are ups and downs to both. Well, I finally got moved (same town, just a different apartment), and last Saturday I brought home my new roommate. His name is Ci Wei (Mandarin for hedgehog, or something like that, lol), and he is a cinnacot beauty. He has the best temperament - the day after I brought him home I introduced him to an aunt and uncle, and their youngest grandson (age 1 or 2). Ci Wei got along perfectly with all of them, even the little guy, who was, of course, supervised and only allowed to pet Ci Wei with help. Ci Wei is sooo sociable. Everyone who sees him loves him, and I'm planning to take him visiting with me when I go to friends' houses and such. After all, how often is it that you get a hedgehog that lowers his visor quills with his new owner two days after arriving home? He's so adorable, and yes, I have pictures to prove it, lol. Here are two pics of him last night on his new play blankie I made from material at Wal-Mart (his hedgie hat is behind him). Sorry about the size, but I wasn't sure how to get them smaller (still figuring out this internet photo sharing stuff).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/writersheart/b95ccd57.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/writersheart/f008adde.jpg

Isn't he cuuute? Ya just gotta love the guy! :hearts:

On a side note, do any of you have experience taking your hedgies to visit the elderly who are either stuck at home or in a nursing home? I've been thinking of taking Ci Wei out to see some of the folks who don't get much company and who might enjoy regular visits from a cute little hedgie such as himself, but don't want to put him at risk for catching anything serious (flus, colds, etc.). Are there any definite pros or cons for doing this with a hedgie? Precautions that need to be taken? Or should I just stick with keeping him at home and at friends' houses? He didn't seem to mind the car ride home too much, and seems to be adjusting to life here pretty well, so I though after another couple of weeks he might be ready to visit more folks (or sooner?) if it doesn't put his own health at risk. What do you think? Thanks again for all of your help and advice, and I'll talk to y'all later!

New proud owner of Ci Wei the darling hedgie,
Brooke

[razzle]

Oh my gosh Ci Wei is so cute!!!! Cool name! He sounds like quite the sociable fellow.

I think that is such a neat idea to bring him around to visit elderly people. I'm not sure about the "health hazzards" of it though. I think Hedgehogs are pretty resiliant to most human bugs, but maybe someone else knows about this in more detail. But I think it's a great idea. People are so fascinated with these cute little guys, and I know Ci Wei can bring lots of smiles to people. Heck, just his photo alone can do that. He's a cutie! :lovies:

Congrats on your new baby!! (I love his play blankies too!) :winkgrin:

[Lc51290]

Awww so cute! How old is he?

[Nancy]

He is a beautiful boy. :hearts: Err, I mean handsome.

[firefly]

Awww....so cute!!! :hearts:

[hedgiesrluvd]

Awww so cute! How old is he?

He's still a baby, at around 2 months, born on December 20. He's still adjusting a little bit, and if anything, seems a little more anxious now than he did when he first came home... but we're working on it... he seems to think that by balling up he can keep me from picking him up. I do my best not let him scare me off, and to pick him up anyway, but am afraid of startling him more... weird how he seemed to adjust so quickly right off the bat, but now seems more nervous than he did then. He sleeps an awful lot, even in the evening... I have to wake him up to play with him, or any other time I want to spend time with him in the evenings. I guess maybe he's still adjusting, or perhaps babies need more sleep than adults, but he doesn't seem to be up much of the night, although he has used his wheel almost every night that I can see, and also eats and drinks a little during the night... I think I'm just a worried new hedgie mom... but I'm sure things will get better as he and I both get used to each other. Thanks for the comment, and I'll keep all of you guys here updated on Ci Wei's progress, as well as his antics. :)

-Brooke

[Tails]

Aww he is one handsome little dude! I love the big pictures shows him off better. :hearts: Congrats you must be so excited!!! :hyper:

[hemi_mygirl]

I think taking him to visit the elderly would be fine. I took Hemi a couple times during the summer, when my mom worked at an old folks home. The only thing I asked was that each person washed their hands before and after handling her, partly for her health and safety, and partly for their's. But she was a hit at the nursing home. The elderly just loved her.

[Ododad]

He's still a baby, at around 2 months, born on December 20. He's still adjusting a little bit, and if anything, seems a little more anxious now than he did when he first came home... but we're working on it... he seems to think that by balling up he can keep me from picking him up. I do my best not let him scare me off, and to pick him up anyway, but am afraid of startling him more... weird how he seemed to adjust so quickly right off the bat, but now seems more nervous than he did then. He sleeps an awful lot, even in the evening... I have to wake him up to play with him, or any other time I want to spend time with him in the evenings. I guess maybe he's still adjusting, or perhaps babies need more sleep than adults, but he doesn't seem to be up much of the night, although he has used his wheel almost every night that I can see, and also eats and drinks a little during the night... I think I'm just a worried new hedgie mom... but I'm sure things will get better as he and I both get used to each other. Thanks for the comment, and I'll keep all of you guys here updated on Ci Wei's progress, as well as his antics. :)

-Brooke
Some hedgies do that. They are fine for the first few days then become nervous for no reason. It's normal and nothing to worry about. All hedgies sleep a lot and babies even more. That's normal too. It took Odo about six weeks to open up to me, Marco opened up to Dar right away and is still mommies little boy, Kahuna hasn't come around much yet after about 1 month and Ruby was easy going from the day I got her. They all are different. Hedgehogs are by nature very curious and I'm sure that given a little time she will open up more and more to you as she gets to know your scent and the sound of you voice. As to taking her out to visit, personally I would wait some more and give her time to get used to everything. Then, I don't see what would be wrong with it. She will let you know if she wants to meet people or be left alone. Frodo loved to perform for strangers, Odo dosen't like strangers, I don't know about Ruby or Kahuna and Marco will be a gentleman for about 15 minutes then wants to be left alone with strangers.

[hedgiesrluvd]

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for all of your replies, info, and advice. I'm still thinking on taking Ci Wei to nursing homes, and he still seems to be fine with strangers petting him (once he's over his "post-sleep-grumpiness," lol. I appreciate the info from those who've taken their hedgies visiting, and from those who've assured me the Ci Wei is normal and will be just fine despite being a little nervous his first few days here. Thanks, and I'll keep you guys updated.

-Brooke