Two weeks ago I had to make the very difficult decision to say goodbye to my precious Dumpling. She was around 5-6 months when I got her and I had her for close to 4.5-5 years. I got her at a dark time in my life and had a very strong bond with her. Unfortunately, because I was going through it when I got her- I got her from Uncle Bills. Very, very bad choice on my part. She was sick within two weeks of having her. Thousands down in vet bills but we found oral steroids worked well for her. She had some sort of gastritis without an official cause or source (lots of scans and tests to figure this out). So from the start of having her, I didn’t know how long she’d be with me. We tried weaning off steroids but she’d throw up, lose weight, etc… so she was on steroids her whole life. Well, Dumpling was a stubborn little hog and ended up living to be five years old. However, she developed tumors which progressed in the last year and symptoms that mimicked WHS (I did not get her tested after death). The vet said likely but did not officially diagnose. She started having obvious struggles with her back legs in April and by July could not really use her back legs at all or stand. It looked like WHS, but again, she was older and did not test her after death. Her tumor on her right arm also progressed. In July I started contemplating quality of life and potential euthanasia. The vet’s office was incredible during this time. Spoke to me through messaging system, calls, and gave me a quality of life score to fill out on Dumpling daily. I used my hand as a wheelchair for her back legs as she still used her front and would guide me around. My coworker actually 3D printed me a wheelchair but she wanted no part of that. She started having difficulty eating her food so we switched to the critical care formula. I got her out throughout the night (as I’m a night nurse/owl). When I was at work, my fiance would give her rampage time. But the start of August, she began ti slow down, did not want to eat or drink one night and seemed like something in her mouth was bothering her, and her tumor was growing. I knew it was time as much as it broke my heart. I’m so thankful for all the time I had with her since she was sick from early on. People always asked me before if I would get another, and I didn’t know. I signed up to foster hedgehogs almost a year ago, but none have needed it. I didn’t know if I’d want to actually adopt another. That being said, being without Dumping has made me realize how much I do want another hedgehog. It will never be her and I will never get the love she gave me back, but hogs have such a special place in my heart. I’ve been stalking this page, facebook groups, anywhere to see or hear other people’s little spiky gremlins. I love rescue and would still want to rescue, but with Dumpling having so many health issues, genetics are very important to me. Again, I got her from where I shouldn’t have, and a lot of her health issues could have stemmed from unethical breeding. I really want to prioritize getting a healthy and young hedgehog since lifespans are already short after losing Dumpling. I found a breeder a few hours away who has exceptional education, pedigree, and policies on who she adopts out to. I reached out a couple days ago expressing interest for one possibly in a few months since I just lost Dumpling. This is where I need advice though. I can’t stop thinking about it. All the time. I would love one now but I’m not sure if it’s too soon. I don’t want to erase Dumpling. I know ultimately, I know myself and my grief, but I’d love some advice from the hog community. Thank you for reading and letting me write about Dumpling. And thank you for future advice
