I have always dreamed of owning a dog, but my mom is afraid of them, so I haven’t been able to have one. Luckily, many of my friends have dogs, and I love visiting them. Occasionally, I even help out by pet-sitting their dogs when they go on vacation. As I wasn’t allowed to own a dog, nine years ago, I welcomed my first hedgehog instead. She brought immense joy into my life. Despite their typical lifespan of 3-5 years, we shared 5.5 wonderful years together. In her final months, she faced a tough battle with uterine tumors, which made surgery too risky due to her age. During that time, I became her caretaker, feeding her with a syringe and giving her medication three times daily, even renting an oxygen machine to assist her breathing. Witnessing her struggle was both inspiring and heartbreaking. The day I found her waiting for me, her eyes full of love, is etched in my memory. I promised to feed her after my shower, but when I returned, she had passed. It felt like my heart stopped; she had waited to say goodbye. I treasure our memories and hope she’s now in a peaceful hedgehog heaven.