A small lump in the road, seen from a distance can usual mean roadkill or, in this case, a Hedgehog.
Though as we approached, the hedgehog appeared to be an odd shape; not a plump hog on 4 legs but sloped back end with a Hedgehog head at the front.
As we ran out to it, mainly to move it from the middle of the car park entrance, we discovered it was dragging both it's hind legs which could only mean one thing; broken.
Picking this spritely creature up, I soon realised the severity of the situation. One leg was clearly swollen and the other, well, lets say it's a good thing I didn't take pictures, the other leg had a bone sticking out from it.
Placing the courageous hog into a box, we drove home, wondering had we left a couple of minutes earlier, we would never have seen it and its chances of survival were slim. Worried our small friend wouldn't make the night, I placed apple in the box. No need to be worried, it demolished the lot!
Finally back at home, a good hours drive from Filey, we re-homed our prickly friend into a bigger box, just for the night mind you!
Fresh newspaper lined the bottom of the box to prevent it's fragile legs from catching on anything.
Clean fresh rain water and smelly turkey cat food were placed in separate bowls and the box we housed it in for the car journey, stuffed with fresh straw, became its bed chamber.
This photo was taken this morning and as you can see, there is hardly any cat food left! This greedy piggy has clearly lived up to its name!
After a major googling session, my dad contacted a rescue centre near Dewsbury, called Oggles Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. We spoke to a passionate lady called Vicky who agreed to meet us at Ikea (an easy landmark!).
Off to Ikea we went with small yet smelly Hodgepig in the back of the car.
In the romantic setting of the Ikea car park, we handed (what turned out to be) little miss Hedgehog over to Vicky, a caring loving woman who wants nothing but the best for all Hedgehogs.
As my dad and I stood, nervously waiting, like a patient awaiting test results, Vicky briefly examined her and confirmed one of my minor fears; she would live but our small lady would lose a leg. Not only that but on closer inspection, she had maggots and unhatched eggs. Fortunately, they could be washed away and removed.
Our lady hog is now in the best possible hands and I couldn't be more relieved. Is it fate we found her when we did or by sheer coincidence?
I chose not to take pictures of our short journey together because I did not wish to distress her and I could not bring myself to face the reality of what had happened.
Was she hit by a car? Attacked by another animal maybe? Or did someone take it upon themselves to deliberately hurt her?
She will never be able to go back to the wild but she will live a pleasant thriving life in a secure garden under the watchful eye of someone who truly cares.
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