RAZZLE'S NEW BLOG!!!!!!!

Please continue to look in upon Razzle's hedgie world at this new link!
http://razzleshogblog.blogspot.com/

Just one of Razzle's Crazy ol' Nights

A Typical Razzle evening....listen to those crunches!

Razzle updating his blog!

Ok...lemme see...been a while since I've done HTML...but it's just like riding a bike...I mean...running on a wheel...

Are you a Hedgehog or a Fox?

Razzle's friend, Karl, sent us this very interesting article! Seems being a hedgehog is a very shrewd business strategy! I knew Razzle was up to something in that igloo!

Check out this!

The fox is a cunning creature, able to devise a myriad of complex strategies for sneak attacks upon the hedgehog. Day in and day out, the fox circles around the hedgehog’s den, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Fast, sleek, beautiful, fleet of foot, and crafty—the fox looks like the sure winner. The hedgehog, on the other hand, is a dowdier creature, looking like a genetic mix-up between a porcupine and a small armadillo. He waddles along, going about his simple day, searching for lunch and taking care of his home.

The fox waits in cunning silence at the juncture in the trail. The hedgehog, minding his own business, wanders right into the path of the fox. “Aha, I’ve got you now!” thinks the fox. He leaps out, bounding across the ground, lightning fast. The little hedgehog, sensing danger, looks up and thinks, “Here we go again. Will he ever learn?” Rolling up into a perfect little ball, the hedgehog becomes a sphere of sharp spikes, pointing outward in all directions. The fox, bounding toward his prey, sees the hedgehog defense and calls off the attack. Retreating back to the forest, the fox begins to calculate a new line of attack. Each day, some version of this battle between the hedgehog and the fox takes place, and despite the greater cunning of the fox, the hedgehog always wins.

Berlin extrapolated from this little parable to divide people into two basic groups: foxes and hedgehogs. Foxes pursue many ends at the same time and see the world in all its complexity. They are “scattered or diffused, moving on many levels,” says Berlin, never integrating their thinking into one overall concept or unifying vision. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything. It doesn’t matter how complex the world, a hedgehog reduces all challenges and dilemmas to simple—indeed almost simplistic—hedgehog ideas. For a hedgehog, anything that does not somehow relate to the hedgehog idea holds no relevance.

Princeton professor Marvin Bressler pointed out the power of the hedgehog during one of our long conversations: “You want to know what separates those who make the biggest impact from all the others who are just as smart? They’re hedgehogs.” Freud and the unconscious, Darwin and natural selection, Marx and class struggle, Einstein and relativity, Adam Smith and division of labor—they were all hedgehogs. They took a complex world and simplified it. “Those who leave the biggest footprints,” said Bressler, “have thousands calling after them, ‘Good idea, but you went too far!’ ”3

To be clear, hedgehogs are not stupid. Quite the contrary. They understand that the essence of profound insight is simplicity. What could be more simple than e = mc2? What could be simpler than the idea of the unconscious, organized into an id, ego, and superego? What could be more elegant than Adam Smith’s pin factory and “invisible hand?” No, the hedgehogs aren’t simpletons; they have a piercing insight that allows them to see through complexity and discern underlying patterns. Hedgehogs see what is essential, and ignore the rest.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Razzle and I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!!

Razzle's Progress Continues!

Thanks to everyone for your concern about the Razzmeister. He is doing so great! He's been such a brave boy, taking his medicines every day. It's somewhat of a struggle some days (particulary mornings when I am running late for work, it seems...), but I'm so glad he's a spunky little boy!

Razzle's daddy comes home tomorrow from China and we are sure looking forward to seeing him!

Tonight Razzle had some turkey burger for dinner and he gobbled it up. When I went to check on him later, he was running on his wheel. It's hard to believe that a week ago he was in a little oxygen tank with a very bad respiratory infection. It seems he has forgotten all about that ordeal and is back to being a happy, healthy hoggie....just as we like it. <3

Razzle is Home!!!!

Thanks everyone for your care and concern about little Razzle. He spent the night at the emergency vets and I went there first thing this morning to get him and transport him to another animal hospital in the area. He was sounding MUCH better. The doctors and staff also said he was a feisty one and tried to spear everyone with his quills. Hee!! I finally got to take him home, along with some meds for a respiratory infection.

When he came home, I made up his cage with new blankies and fresh linens. :) I know he was sooo ready for his fleece igloo! I put him near his igloo and he scurried in. But then...moments later, he did something he NEVER does. In broad daylight - he came out of his igloo and walked around all four corners of his cage, slowly walking around sniffing. It was like he was wondering, "I am really home or is this a dream??". It was so weirdly uncharacteristic of him...but I think he's happy to be home. I'm sure he especially loved being left alone today when I went to work, with no one poking and prodding him. I hope he got his much needed rest! Now to see what he does tonight...

Some pics I took just now with my camera phone right after administering his antibiotics....

Please send HEALING VIBES to Razzle

Hello everyone. Unfortunately, I have some bad news....Razzle is ill and right now in the hospital.

This situation literally came out of the BLUE! He's been seemingly fine. However, when I came home from work tonight...I went to check on him and I noticed he sounded "wheezey". Then I heard a sound I NEVER have heard from him before - a "cough" of sorts, but it sounded more like a bark. He was also slightly foaming at the mouth. I immediately called Animal 9-1-1, my emergency vet, and drove an hour to get Razzle there for 8pm. I was there until midnight. They did some X-rays and it looks as though Razzle has some fluid in his lungs. It also appears that he may have fluid in his heart. He will have to be kept overnight at the hospital in an oxygen tank. He will be given some antibiotics, as well as a heart medication, and plenty of fluids.

This is especially hard since Steve is in Beijing at the moment. Today was his day to go sightsee, since, although he has been to China many times - this was his first time in Beijing. Instead, he stayed with me on the phone the entire night (day for him!) to get an up-to-the-minute report on Razzle.

Tomorrow morning, I am to go back up to the animal hospital at 7am and transport Razzle to another hosptal in the area. Normally, he would stay at this one, however, as a total FLUKE, they are closed tomorrow (something they never do on a Wednesday). Just my luck!!! So I have to leave the house by 6am -- and then bring him over to another hospital. Obviously, I am going to have to tell work that I am going to be late (great for my 3rd week on the job....).

Razzle is in a little oxygen tank to help with his breathing and congested lungs. They put his little hedgie bag in there with him to make him a little more comfortable. It was so hard leaving him there, especially since he is scared and huffing and puffing (which isn't the best for him given his condition). When he huffs, he sounds like a little dog squeeze toy. I wanted so bad to have him home where he's comfortable, but I think he's in good hands where he is and I think it's the best thing for him right now......


Tonight is the test - hopefully he does well through the night and is on his way to recovery tomorrow. Please send your healing wishes, prayers and thoughts for my little baby. As you can imagine, I am sick with worry....it's 1am here and I think I will be up all night.

WE LOVE YOU RAZZLE!! GET WELL SOON!!!!!

A Razzley Video Treat!

Yes, I know the video is dark - but remember: Razzle is noctural and won't come out in the light!

One of the Guys

The boys hanging out watching a little Sunday afternoon football...

Razzle was quite the social butterfly this past weekend when his Uncle Robert and Auntie Jennifer came to visit. It was a rare treat since Razzle is usually a giant hiss-ball of quills whenever anyone else is around. Razzle was friendly and curious - sniffing around and exploring.

Auntie Jennifer was still a little nervous to pick up Razzle, but one day he will win her over! But Razzle had fun hanging out on Uncle Robert...

"So Razzle...who do you think is going to Superbowl?"

Virtual Tour of the Igloo

Due to the overwhelming amount of interest, Razzle has decided to have an open house and invite each and everyone on a personal tour of his igloo!!


Welcome to my cozy home! Won't you come in? Can I offer you a tasty cricket?

Come in...come in....just watch your step here. Let me show you around....



Well, over here is where I usually like to read. I curl up over there on that chaise lounge and get into a good book. Otherwise, I'm surfing the web and updating my blog on my laptop.



Over here is where I usually nap. See all my cozy blankies? Whoops...he... he... pardon the crumbs....I was snacking in bed.




And you will notice the tall cathedral ceilings....makes my rather modest home look quite spacious, no?



Well that's my home!!! Thanks for coming by. Are you sure you don't want a cricket for the road?

Forever trying to escape the Paparazzi....

Oh oh...here's that darn camera again!


I'm not coming out of my warm blankies!!

Ha HA!! Just try to get a good pic of me!!

You can't get me!


Hold on a moment....do I smell....treats???


Could this be real??


I must approach cautiously in case this is a cruel trick!


Hmmmmmm....chomp...chomp....









What? You want me to say you won?

Talk to the Quills!

Funny Hedgie Video

Be sure to have your speakers on!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8YVVS73jlU&NR">

Razzle's Laundry Debacle

Razzle enjoying his fresh clean blankies.

Laundry is never exactly fun, but when it requires going *all the way* downstairs (42 floors, mind you!) and spending half the day attending to it, it becomes a downright burden. Recently, the laundry rates in our building have gone up and now it's become expensive as well.

Enter in "The Mudd Room" - a new laundry service literally right down the street that washes, dries and folds your laundry for you! You pay by the pound, and it actually comes out to be only a few dollars more than doing it ourselves. BARGAIN!

We've been going there now for the past month or so. All has worked out great with the exception of Razzle's laundry. His laundry is kept separate and needs to be washed in fragrance-free detergent. His delicate blankies also need to be dried on low-heat.

The first time, all of our clothes and Razzle's laundry were washed in regular detergent. It smelled great to us, but much too strong for Razzle's nose. We had to bring it back and have them re-wash it.

The next time, we explained the problem to them, and they said they understood. This time, our clothes were washed fragrance-free and Razzle's were not. Again, we had to bring Razzle's things back to be re-washed.

Also, his blankies weren't dried on low-heat and some of them got scorched! Finally, Steve had a word with the manager who was very apologetic and promised us things would be done correctly the next time. Today we brought the laundry in and the manager was there. Again he apologized and said they would do our laundry free of charge this time!! Woo! We are going to pick it up tomorrow and HOPEFULLY it is done right this time.

Poor Razzle! All this drama for such a little critter.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

There's a prickily in the tub!

Tonight was the dreaded BATH NIGHT!!!

Not a favorite past-time of Razzle's, but he was getting a little "whiffy" and his toes were dirty from his wheeling.

Oh, do we HAVE to do this?

Just so you know, I am NOT going to enjoy myself.

I won't move from this spot!

I'm just going to hang out right here so people will look at these pictures and say, "how boring. Who wants to see a hedgehog having a bath? Not me."

Ok, I've had enough of this nonsense!!!

Finally, freedom!! Now get this terrible water off me!

(being dryed by the world-famous ZWIPES Microfiber cloth!)

Alright, the show is over. What are you looking at? You never seen a clean hedgehog before or something?? GOOD DAY!

I SAID, GOOD DAY!

And now for more Hedgehog News....

Confused hedgehog draws blood in the cold light of day


PRICKLY trio: Martin with three of the hoglets.

SHE MAY look cute as a button, but beware - this prickly mother has developed a thirst for blood after losing her nocturnal instinct.

Hedgehog Harriet, who recently gave birth to four little hoglets, has got day and night all scrambled, possibly after suffering a blow to the head.

With her body clock out of synch, the prickly diva has forgotten she is a lady of the night and now prefers to potter about in the sunlight instead.

In this unfamiliar world, she has developed a new strategy for dealing with her diurnal play mates - to bite everything in sight.

But these unusual habits makes her vulnerable as daytime prey and she cannot be released back into the wild.

Instead, she must leave her brood of hoglets behind as she heads for a protected pasture in North Wales to see out her dotage.

Martin Turner, of South Manchester Wildlife Sanctuary in Alderley Edge, noticed her penchant for daytime strolls after treating Harriet for an ear infection.

He said: "I went into the garden to fill up a water can and felt something bite me on the foot, I was stunned when I looked down and saw Harriet running off - they can really move. Later I felt a pull on my leg, she was trying to bite through my jeans, she is absolutely fearless."

He kept her in a sheltered garden in Lacey Green to keep an eye on her as she gave birth and was forced to take the little ones into hospital as they too developed a bad infection.

Although now all clear and ready to be released back into the wild, sadly their mum will have to be kept in sheltered accommodation for the rest of her days.

Martin said: "It is really very sad that we cannot let her roam free, but she was in a terrible state when she came in we did not even realise she was pregnant until we found the hoglets in the nest.

"But thankfully as we were keeping an eye on them we were able to rescue the young ones when they had a bad infection and give them a fighting start in life.

"And we have found a Harriet a safe home in North Wales where we can make sure she eats well and is well cared for and provide somewhere for her to hibernate during the winter."

Katrina McKeever

First published by the Wilmslow Express

New Meaning of Cool Refridgeration

Our refridgerator has some mighty cute magnets on it!! The magnets hold up Razzle's certificate for participating in the Hedgehog Welfare Society Wheel-a-Thon earlier this year.


This personalized magnet was a gift from Razzle's Auntie Sandy and cousin Britty! We love it!


I got this next magnet at the Shedd Aquarium here in Chicago. Steve and I were having a conversation about what kind of animal we wish we could come back as. Steve said a "sea otter" because they look like they are always having fun. Then I came across this magnet and couldn't believe how perfect it is!!! It's a Sea Otter holding a Sea Urchin. But to me...it looks just like Steve bonding with Razzle!

(The first picture is the magnet in case you can't tell the difference):