Almost a decade ago, one of my children wanted a pet hedgehog. (Don’t try this at home.) I don’t know where the idea originated, but she did all the research online, and presented her opening statement. I countered with a list of previous pets, all of which ended up in my care, and I didn’t want anymore responsibilities. She was relentless, my eight year old genius. I dismissed the case to be reopened at a later date hoping she’d forget. She didn’t forget. She saved her birthday and Christmas money. I capitulated, surrendering to her resolve. I regretted it every day for the three years that poor beast lived.

We had two giant breed dogs at the time, and the hedgehog could smell them. Hedgehogs do not typically bite, (that still doesn’t make them good pets), but fear made Otis a biter. Once he’d sink his long sharp fangs into…