Family Pet

After my sadness associated with losing the always fabulous chicken pets we had *sniffle*, I have been looking for a new family pet. It gets so lonely sometimes without a cuddly animal friend. So I had to set about finding the perfect family companion.
At first, I naturally drifted towards the puppy route, but puppies need so much love, care and attention and I am in class frequently. Also, it would be difficult if I ever went out of town. Feeding, walking, cleaning up. Additionally, I was looking at something a little smaller since dad brought home a cow.
So puppy was out, maybe a kitten. Then I remembered Figaro, or as I dubbed him - Panther. Panther was pretty, but I went out of town for 3 days and when I returned I was Panther-less. Besides, who could replace Zim? Zim was the best cat ever. Also, if I need my kitten fix, I can always go over to Alix's and play with Smudge. So no kittens.
A pet, a pet, a pet. Hamsters are not super fun. Ferrets smell. Horses need much more space, turtles aren't friendly, snakes creep people out, and tigers tend to maul their owners after a while.
Then finally the answer came. It came in an unexpected place, but I took the inspiration for what it was and started to do some research. After many articles, pictures, and Youtube videos, I was sold!
Dum, da, da, dum!! Our new family pet is....

LOLA!!

The Hedgehog!Lola is 3 months old, and a pygmy African hedgehog. She likes to scurry around and is still getting used to the family. She is warming up fantastically though, and she couldn't possibly get any cuter! She's mostly full grown, and quite prickly when she is sleeping. We had the missionaries over for dinner and she had a fun time cuddling with them, although they were skeptic at first - she looks a little bit like a porcupine.

Lola is just perfect for our family! She sleeps when I am in school and plays around when I get home. She is small and quiet, but enjoys a good adventurous romp around the house on occasion. When you hold her on her back, she rolls into a prickly ball with just her head and nose sticking out. :) I am very happy with the decision to add her into the family!