Happiness, at least for hedgehogs, equals tummy rubs. Spud the Hedgehog was found naked and spineless a few months back. Besides looking like a potato, he was defenceless, cold, and rather dispirited.
Staff at St Tiddywinkles Wildlife Hospital were baffled by his strange skin condition and have spent months trying to help the little chap. After lots of TLC, warm baths, and daily rubs with baby oil, Spud is now a happy hedgehog with new spines.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Bald_hog_shows_off_his_spines_thanks_to_some_TLC&in_article_id=702255&in_page_id=34
Is this just a dermatological response? I don't think so. Spud's skin still isn't cured. Could it be a stress response? Quite possibly. Hedgehogs can lose their spines due to illness or stress, and Spud's spiny comeback in a safe protective environment suggests that low stress may be the right answer. But my heart says those tummy rubs and loving attention have a lot to do with it too.
More on the relation between health and happiness in my next post. In the meanwhile, let me know what you think!
What a gorgeous story. Even spikey things needs stroking it seems. What does science think of the touch-healing phenomenon? Cuddles always make me feel better...I wonder if they could heal me though?
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