June 2005

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Reciprocals
When I woke up from a it's-too-warm-to-think-anymore Sunday afternoon nap, I realized that while I was napping with a blue blanket on a red bed, Numo was napping under a red blanket on a blue bed.




(Yes, I often end up napping with my glasses on, because I'm watching something or other.)

Flummoxed.
A plastic wall pocket fell off the wall and into Numo's play area. He checked it out and crawled inside. Later, he pushed his toilet paper tube the pocket.

Stuck.

Boy, he really tried to pushed that tube through. Oof! It wasn't going anywhere since he's got the power to push, but not the power to pull.

I watched. Then I got up to checked my email. Turned towards pen again and he was staring at me with a now-it-is-time-for-you-to-help look.

Friday, June 24, 2005

Victorious!
I clipped Numo's nails!!! The only hedgehog ownership thing that had totally stymied me. You're suppose to keep their nails short so they don't get unruly and caught on stuff and trip the little guys up.

It's darn hard getting a paw in your fingers.

I tried to do it "dry." Numo's very, very good at balling up and good at scuttling away from me with his back paws tucked in and inaccessbile. He's a somewhat huffy, uncuddly guy. He's a Runner and Explorer, not a Lover. So touching his feet is a little too intimate for him.

So, I finally tried the wet, clip-'em-in-the-bath method. The idea is that since they are in water, they can't curl up without getting water in their nose. They are too busy managing being in water that they can't huff.

I put about an inch of water in a plastic tub within my tub. I sat in the tub, legs in each side of the plastic tub. I put Numo in. Went for a paw and when I had a grip on a back paw, I'd clip a tiny bit. Once you get past the paw holding challenge, you get the challenge of not clipping the nails too short and hurting the poor, wet guy. I was conservative, mostly concentrating on the back claws which were the worst.

It worked. While Numo wasn't pleased with the process, he did pretty darn well. He'd simply try to walk away from my grip. Very calmly, like he's thinking, "No, thank you."

*whew*

I got those back paw claws tamed temporarily.

Here's pics post-clipping, while he dries in my travel towel:



I love this shot because in the background is his play area, and in it his favorite thing in the world, the toilet paper tube. He's back in the play area and pushing said toilet paper tube now.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Smaller Than a Breadbox
There's been a lot of confusion about how big Numo is. He looks big. That is, unless he's next to my giant head like below. Here's a few pics for scale.

A quarter and Numo. Numo is much, much bigger than the quarter.


A toilet paper tube and Numo. Numo's favorite toy. He's slightly longer than a toilet paper tube.


A glass measuring cup and Numo. He's about a cup and a half. When he's grouchy about being put in a measuring cup, he's bigger with those quills out.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

G'Morning!

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Numo Cum Laude

I didn't realize that Numo was dorm-room-colored until we went to Grinnell this weekend for reunion.

Emily, Joy, Lisa, Numo and I headed off in a rental car to "Go west" to Grinnell. Emily thought having a hedgehog onboard was good mojo. I concur.

Numo had an easy ride there. I got him all set up in my dorm room and he hid and chilled out. Then I read the handout/instructions in the room - "Absolutely no pets in the dorm rooms." Huh. Nevermind the cage I just carried partway across campus. Everyone scoffs at this rule and reminded me how permissive Grinnell is. True.

Later with friends, I let Numo run around the room. He had a super time pushing around his toilet paper tube. Lots of unfettered linoleum terrain.

My favorite part is watching folks change their expressions from being dubious of having a hedgehog as a pet to delight when they see how great and silly he is.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Sandra & Numo

Here's Sandra, our intrepid petsitter, with Mr. Numo. You can read more about Sandra's petsitting prowess at Right-At-Home Petsitting.

Sandra was picking up keys for my upcoming business trip to DC. First, Numo, me and three girlfriends from college head to Grinnell, Iowa for reunion. Thankfully, this is only the second trip that I needed her services, but so far, so great! After IA and DC, that'll be two trips without Numo and two with.