This is baby Leila when we first collected her from NZ Bird Rescue. She was found by the SPCA earlier that day on the roadside being pecked at by magpies. No wonder she was very shy. Poor little baby. She was grateful for the security and warmth of McDiggery Hospital. She recovered from mange and a parasite infestation, and then spent a lot of time in our outdoor enclosure 'Hoggiton' learning how to be a big hedgehog.

Leila's favourite position in the McDiggery hospital - warming her little tummy on the hot-water bottle. Leila's nose was her foods favourite position :)

Here is our beautiful healthy girl on her release day. We have opened the doors of Hoggiton. Bon Voyage. Keep safe out there little sweetheart. 

Tonight we open the door at Hoggiton and give Leila-Hoggis McDiggery access to the big-wild world of Birkdale. We have had her since she was a baby, so it is tough letting go. 

Leila is a little home-body and unlike her other clan members (Hedgepig McD) she didn't once try to escape from her outdoor enclosure, so I am sure she will hang around our garden and we will continue to leave food and water out for her. 

Bath time is not all it is made out to be in popular media (see left). This is the real deal. Unscripted, uncut. No make up artists or special effects. You will not find a single bubble or pair of sunglasses in sight.

Hedgehogs do not usually need to be bathed, but for 'personal reasons', Leila needed a little rinse this day. 

Thank you for my playhouse Helle and Pablo. Sorry to hear that you accidentally used your brand new tyre instead of the old one to make my house. But I love how the 'expensive' new tread gives me such superior grip hehe. Love from Leila-Hoggis McDiggery (Queen of the Castle).