Hedgehog vs.
Porcupine
Porcupine
Years ago, Em and I were driving home from somewhere when we saw the oddest sign at the local Hotel near our house. It read:
"Hedgehog Olympics" Sunday.
Just the name alone intrigued me. I laughed all the way home imagining what that was gonna be, and needless to say, we were going.The boys bailed, thinking it was going to be something stupid, but Em was all in. I love that kid sometimes.
We were going to what ended up being a hedgehog-owner convention, complete with t-shirts, beauty contests, and agility trials. There were the strangest folks of all ages, wearing these little fabric pouches hanging from their necks with tiny prickly guys peering out or rolled tightly in a ball. (Hedgehogs are very shy creatures and roll in a ball when frightened.)
There was an emcee (The Sock Puppet from pets. com) and trophies for every imaginable event. We spent hours walking from event to event, muffling giggles and trying to appreciate the love these folks have for their little spiny guys.
They had hedgehog races complete with those giant plastic balls that hamsters typically use--except they were big, like for guinea pigs. They had obstacle courses and a fashion show. There were personality contests--because getting your hedgehog to actually unroll is a big deal I guess. The amount of handling that it takes to tame one of these is incredible, and those that can get that wiggly nose out from it's hind legs are highly regarded. And there was a shop to buy all things hedgehog, including supplies, souvenirs, and t-shirts with hedgehog photos on them.The day ended with a huge awards show, complete with owners parading their hedgehogs in those tiny baskets around their necks. And again, Sock Puppet emceed the event and was totally hilarious for a guy under the table with a puppet and a microphone. Em and I sat there watching the madness that surrounded us, hedgehog owners proudly gathering and enjoying each others' company like this was an everyday event.
Who knew this world of hedgehog owners existed?? I didn't. And I wonder if the Hedgehog Olympics are held in different cities each year? Kinda makes you wonder what other kinds of animals have their own Olympics? Sheesh, there is a lot I don't know about hedgehogs and other stuff.
I'm glad we went though, and I never saw it at the hotel ever again.
29 comments:
I would have totally enjoyed that.
Okay, I get it. I see the difference between a hedgehog and a porcupine now!!!!
Years ago a guy in England introduced me to the world of hedgehogs. I have hedgie napkins, a cup, a rubber stamp, and more I forgot.
You live in a very strange place Lin! Well, I guess we already knew that. What an odd thing, who'd a thunk it?
Further insight into why you call it "Weirdville." Enjoyed your fun tale this morning.
Sounds like a lot of fun - and they certainly are cute little critter. truly, I like animals better than people...
That is too funny! You are great to attend and just enjoy. I admit that they are really fascinating creatures. Actually, the porkies are too, except you can't snuggle them much.
How bizarre. Kind of makes some of us feel normal, huh?
I would have LOVED that! My sister in law went to a bunny convention last year. I thought THAT was weird...until now!
Hmmm, maybe I should make a hedgehog soap.
It seems to me that it would then be almost torture for those poor little hedgehogs, donchathink?
You were so lucky to have happened upon that event! I think that would have been so interesting. I have never heard of hedgehogs as pets. Very cool.
That is unusual. It sounded like fun.
I've never seen a live hedgehog, Bill would have had a ball at that.
That sounds like fun. I am glad Em went with you. How many people can say they have been to a hedgehog Olympics?
That sounds like fun. I can just see trying to drag my husband to something like that....NOT...lol
I loved sock puppet. Now the hedgehog olympics sounds adorable but I dont think it will get me out of the house... not that much does!
lol
Veronica--Size, mostly. Porcupines are really different in a lot of ways, but hedgehogs are really small--like a guinea pig.
Helene--Wow. Were you at the convention??? :)
Buggys--Weirdville didn't get its name for nuthin', Buggys. I guess life is full of strange stuff, it's just what you stop to notice, right?
Chuck--I think there is weird everywhere, I just like pointing out the finer points of where I live. It helps me cope.
Grace--I'm with you on that one! These guys were really cute--IF they unrolled.
Sharky--I love to learn new things and so Hedgehog Olympics was great for me! And I had a few chuckles (a LOT!) along the way.
Lola--Well, I was outnumbered, so I felt like the oddball there! I was the only one who found all of this hilarious. I don't think they appreciated my giggling.
Peewee--I LOVE adventures. Life is so much more fun when you do things that are very different from what you normally do. And it doesn't have to be expensive or really wild. I got a HUGE kick out of this event. You can tell--I'm still laughing about it!
Pricilla--Oh YES! Make some hedgehog soap--it would have a rough side for your feet! Yeah, I was thinking that would be really scary for those little Ultra-shy guys.
Karen--No kidding! I HAD to go to see what that was all about. And then it was sort of cool and funny and we had a blast! Life is fun, isn't it?
CCOL--Welcome new pally! Yeah, it was weird, but fun.
Jude--Well, it was kinda weird that everyone had these little pouches around their necks, but it was pretty cool to see. You learn something new every day. Bill and I would have had a field day cracking up in the back.
Merry--No kidding! I mean, do they have their Olympics very often? Live EVER again?? Maybe this was the ONLY one! Wow. I WAS lucky, wasn't I??
Ann--Now, Joe would go if I really pressed......AND he would like it. But I had Em and we gals just went because the boys were sort of hemming and hawing about it. It was their loss, BIG TIME. It was hilarious, Ann!
Tracy--I LOVE Sock Puppet! The dude was hilarious and his jokes were GREAT! But it was really only me laughing out loud and the rest of the crowd just sort of sat there. But, that's just me. REally? You don't go out to fun stuff like that?? I think you are secretly fun and you would want to go with me if you lived here. :)
Sounds like fun! Hedgehog fashion show!! :D I should visit your area one day Lin
You are right, just the name alone intrigued me too. I hope I was able to attend it too. It must have been a very refreshing experience.
Vanilla7--Fun is everywhere, Vanilla. You just gotta know where to look. :) Or go when you see it. You let me know when you are coming, I'll get all the weird stuff scheduled.
BK--Well, it was funny, anyway! Who could drive by without going to that???
Bet the boys are sorry they missed that! You may live in Weirdville but it's way more exciting than our town!
That sounds a little creepy and pretty hilarious! :) I'm glad you had fun... where else can I come and learn about a hedgehog convention. LOL
oh my goodness, I would have loved that! I think they are so adorable!
What a great story. I love hearing about odd and quirky subcultures. It's so fun to discover something that you never thought people would develop such an obsession for. I stumbled upon a painted rock website once and discovered this whole world of people obsessed with painting rocks into animals. I'm glad that there is room in this world for all of our passions.
Oh, oh, I want a hedgehog so bad--and a armadillo, but my wife won't let me have either. She keeps saying that until I learn how to take care of myself, I can't have anymore pets. I imagine you are that mean to your husband, as well. My wife would probably really like you.
It actually sounds like a fun event, but I would have been happy to escape that twilight zone.
I think that would have been cute to see. When my son was about 5 years old he wanted a hedgehog. We couldn't find one so we bought him a fish. Not near as fun as a hedgehog would have been... :)
Beaded Tail--Weird is everywhere, you just have to stop and look at it. :)
Petula--You never know what you are going to find me doing, Petula! Imagine the opportunities on the open road!! ;)
Storm--They ARE adorable if you can get them unfurled! Those little guys are S H Y!!
Lenox--Like you, I love to see what folks are into! You can learn so much from those that are really into their passions. Love the painted rock people!! LOL!
Fish--Now what would make you think that I am mean?? :( Actually, I encourage Joe to do more than he does, to go out with friends, and to golf more. He's got a good life, that Joe. No pity for him. Now, for you.........
Ratty--Really??! It was hilarious to integrate with some folks who are passionate about something I knew nothing about. I found that interesting and fun. We came, we learned, we giggled, and then....we went home.
Catherine--I think hedgehogs are one of those pets that you better do your research on BEFORE you buy them. Yes, they are adorable, but they take a TON of handling from a very early age to keep them tame and not rolled into a ball. Plus, they get a lot of skin infections and parasites. They are very difficult to treat and not all vets are knowledgeable in their needs. Fish are better, I think.
You guys are too much fun, dropping in to see the hedgehogs compete.
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