Hedgehog and Duck

So apparently there is a hedgehog who doesn't have any spine left, likely due to some skin illness. The consequence is that he looks like a small potato (hence the name "Spud" probably) and is more or less defenseless against cold weather or predators. But Spud is definitely the luckiest spineless hedgehog in the world, for someone found him in the garden and sent him to a wildlife hospital - last August. The caring staff in the hospital, while patiently waiting for his spines to grow back if possible at all, regularly bathed and massaged Spud in addition to provide food and lodge. Under the posted news, I even saw a comment from Australia saying "if nobody wants him, he can live with me." You know I'm almost jealous of the little Spud, for I feel like a spineless hedgehog left in the wild...

link to the Spud story


OK and the duck. Her name is Essy. The extraordinary thing about Essy is that she doesn't think of herself as a duck. Instead, she behaves as if she is God spelled backwards - a dog. She acts like one, and she hangs out with others. Lucky for this confused duck, her current owners, or care-takers, along with their two real dogs, love her unconditionally no matter who she thinks she is. Essy actually takes a lead in their daily stroll, and the two dog companions not only slow down to a pace with which she can catch up, but also walk on either side of her like two body guards. How cool is that! And yes they, mostly Essy, get a lot of attention in those little parades.

link to the Duck story

Having expressed my jealousy, I hereby claim that I do realize the cruelty of life with which most wild animals, as well as some raised by human, live.