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![[image loading]](http://sofia-vets.net/jtr/imgs/spikey.jpg)
Now that's an edit of my favorite photo of this amazing animal - Spikey the African hedgehog. After a short illness it died a few days ago, all my efforts to contribute to his health were useless. For some time I questioned everything I know, I mean why did I become a veterinarian if I could not relief the condition of my own pet? It all seemed pretty stupid at the time - the futility of my efforts was rather disgusting.
The day of his death, my grief was surprisingly vivid and strong. But I thought about it all, I even wrote a few lines for my personal consolation and now the grief has transformed into some kind of weird but sweet sensation. When I think about Spikey it all brings me joy now, I remember the times we had fun together, not a pang of emotional pain anymore.
This is also how I think the animal would have wanted it. I am well aware Spikey didn't care for such things but he was affectionate even if hard to approach, being a ball of surprisingly sharp spikes.
So this is the course of things - he is dead, I am still alive. Which is better, none can surely tell. But this being so - farewell, my beloved ball of Spikes! As my daughter said, we hope you're playing now with all the rest of the dead hedgehogs, waiting for us to join you at some time!
 
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He looked like a good boy. Small pets, sadly, teach us that greatest of lessons that we have but a short time and then all that's left is fond memories.
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I admire you for sharing your feelings and reflecting on them. My hamster dying is something I will always look back on.
The range of professions and interests of folks on TL always astounds me.
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Norway26184 Posts
:'( Sorry about your loss. I have old dogs and I am not looking forward to the inevitable month long depression, hoping for a couple more years tho. 
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On October 25 2020 06:05 Jerubaal wrote:
He looked like a good boy.
He was the bestest boi indeed. So best that I wanted to get another hedgehog but my daughter declined; we're stuck with the 14 year old smelly and likely deaf cat that is tormenting us with its howls.
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On October 26 2020 05:40 Liquid`Drone wrote:
:'( Sorry about your loss.
Much appreciated, thank you.
On October 26 2020 05:40 Liquid`Drone wrote:I have old dogs and I am not looking forward to the inevitable month long depression, hoping for a couple more years tho.
Let me quote from memory a few lines from the Illiad, there were something like this.
Rise then! Let reason mitigate our care
To mourn avails us not; a man is born to bear.
And indeed grief and mourn achieve little, if anything at all. I mean, when I die, I do not want my close people to mourn, I would love them to recall something good on my side, a smile to light up their faces and to move on with lives.
I am grateful I had the time with this hedgehog, I want more time but that is rather selfish; or so it seems when I give it some thoughts. Let us release the longing and just be thankful for the time we've had. Thus grief will be light to pass and fond memories will always be welcome.
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awww, sorry for your loss.
Losing your pet is always tough.
When I was young, there was a period when I wanted a pet hedgehog. They just look so cute.
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EPT
