Sonic and Brodie

Fule for Thought

 

Lately, I’m starting to feel like I’ve become the “hedgehog whisperer” as I’ve finally been able to get “Sonic” to come out of his house. He’s actually coming out on his own sometimes, but I think it’s the meal worms that are the biggest draw for this. 

I’ve even been able to feed him by hand without being scared of losing a finger! I know, I know … it’s a little hedgehog! But this one was huge when we got him, and he had “attitude.”  

I bugged Debbie all summer that she bought a badger by mistake! Any time we went near him, he’d make a loud snuffling noise and tense. Tensing makes his bristles stand up, and it’s like trying to pet a wire brush. Now, he’s starting to relax, and we can actually pet him, as he’s chowing down on his smelly mealworms! Live ones are the best, and he actually gets incredibly excited for these. However, for the guy feeding the squiggly worms and listening as he crunches them up, it’s kind of gross!  

Sonic is actually coming out on his own, and making noises to get our attention. Even our dog Brodie stops by the cage to sniff him and see what this strange animal is doing!  

Again this Halloween, Brodie had to wear a costume. In the past he’s been a hot dog, a ghost, and a prison inmate. This year, I figured we really needed to get him a cool costume. In Calgary, I was able to find a costume where he’d be the envy of the neighborhood dogs, and not the butt of their jokes. So, I was able to get him a “Captain America” costume! He looked awesome, and I think it even helped his self-esteem, as he didn’t struggle against it at all! In fact, it actually felt like he “strutted” a little, as if he knew he was now the coolest dog on the block! He loves Halloween, as there are so many kids coming to the door for him to visit. In fact, we have to put a leash on him near the door, because he wants to join the “trick or treaters” as they leave!

Brodie is now almost 14, and he’s definitely slowed. At Halloween, he missed seeing some kids, because he doesn’t hear the doorbell any more. He’s almost totally deaf, and sadly, we have to make a lot of noise when we go to him because he gets scared if you don’t … he jumps. Sometimes I wonder what he’s thinking, because he’ll get up for no reason, go to his little front door window, and just look. It’s as if he hears what he thinks are sounds, and he must investigate! The dog that could hear a dog treat wrapper on the floor below, can’t hear us call his name, and it’s hard to watch.  

He seems unsure of himself at times, and he’s especially sad when he’s left alone. I always worry what he feels like when we’re all away for a day. The little dog we called “pup’ and “kiddo” is now called “old fella” and “Grandpa.”

It’s hard to watch the changes in my pal. He’s not able to do the things he used to, but he still tries. We’ve recently been told his hind legs are not receiving the nerve signals as strongly as before, because his back legs give out on him. When we first moved to this house, we thought it was funny that his back legs would slide on the hardwood as he turned corners. Now sadly, we know he’s losing some control over them. He’s now not able to jump up on a bed or couch, and the vet said it is a kindness to lift him up, as he’s lost a lot of leg strength. When he wants to come up from the basement, he often hesitates and stares up at what he has to face. We’ve taken to carrying him up these stairs when we can, because it’s become difficult for him.

Our dog has made me a better person; he’s taught me about devotion, unconditional love, and kindness. He’s been absolutely loved by my wife and kids, and he’s returned their love just as much. There were times when he’d stay with me for hours and ignore the others. Now, it’s as if he wants to make sure he spends time with everyone. He’ll get up at any time, find where someone is, and scratch to get in the door for a visit.  To see my grown daughter beam, when her dog has decided he wants to see her, is a wonderful thing. I often kick myself mentally, because I look ahead and see sadness for us. I don’t know how long we get to have this dog, but he will always know he’s loved. When it does come to the end, our family will be there to hold him, so he won’t be scared. We’ll tell him that we’ll see him “in the morning,” and that we love him … and when he does slip away, he’ll feel it’s just another nap with the Fules. I never knew that at one time I’d own a hedgehog and a dog. I also never knew two little animals could affect me the way they have. 

 

(“Fule for Thought” is a slice of life humourous column that appears in the Strathmore Times, written by long-time resident, town councillor, high school teacher, coach, husband and father of two – Pat Fule. If you would like to get in touch with Pat, you can send him an e-mail at Pat.fule@shaw.ca)