The Bob expired today quietly in his home in the aviary. He died of old age, actually quite extreme old age. In the wild hedgehogs only live to be about four years old and The Bob was closer to about eight or so. He was never a cuddly individual but he would come out to see what I had for him to eat whenever he heard my voice in the aviary. Hedgehogs are....well, prickly. But he was a much loved member of the community and was a gift from Uma and Jim when they moved from Cairo to Singapore.
He will be buried in the garden under a laurel tree that needs to be transplanted into the earth.
Farewell, Bob. You gave many people much pleasure during your life with us.
copyright 2008 Maryanne Stroud Gabbani
