The "Will Carl Be Legal?" Story

Foreword:  I wrote the story you are about to read the same day an article appeared in the local newspaper telling of a bill in Pennsylvania's legislature that was to be voted upon in the near future that would allow hedgehogs and sugar gliders to become legal pets in the state of Pennsylvania.  Three days later the vote took place and the bill was voted down.  Certainly one of the quickest votes in history in the state of Pennsylvania.  So fast that I never got to post my story in a timely manner.  I decided to post the story anyway so you can judge for yourself whether you would have voted for the measure or not.  

 It was an ordinary day.  Just saw in the newspaper that hedgehogs and sugar gliders are going to be dropped from the list of forbidden pets in the state of Pennsylvania.  For years the two animals were classified as exotic wildlife and thus, not allowed as a pet in the state of Pennsylvania.  But recently, one of Lancaster's state representatives has pushed a bill to allow the two animals to be dropped off the list so residents of the state can legally own them as a household pet.  

Carl Mencarini

So now, Carl will be able to visit with his grand- parents legally.  It was this past January that our daughter Brynn and granddaughters Courtney and Camille, visited from their home near Frederick, Maryland and brought Courtney's hedgehog Carl with her.  Carl was a neat little guy who curled up behind his wall of quills and slept most of the day, only to open his protective coat and wander around his box when darkness arrived.  

Carl's nose is always in motion.

His little black nose is constantly sniffing new smells and odors, trying to decide if he should be afraid of his surround- ings or drop his anxious mode and enjoy his new extended family.  For years my wife, Carol, and I had allowed our three children to explore the world of pets and therefore our family home had everything from dogs to cats to hamsters to fish to gerbils as well as guinea pigs and even a chincilla, but they couldn't have a hedgehog since it was illegal to have one in Pennsylvania.  

Daughter Brynn holding Carl.

The hedgehog is classified as a mammal which is native to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  It has prickly spines everywhere except their face, legs and stomachs.  Their lifespan is about seven years and they grow to be about two and a half pounds and can get close to twelve inches.  They eat insects, small mice, snails lizards and frogs and are primarily nocturnal.  They curl up into a tight ball when they are frightened to protect their body.  Now, getting a bill through the legislature has been tried several times before, but this time there are plenty of signatures on petitions that may help.  The petitions claim that hedgehogs pose no threat to our ecosystem and only benefit the lives of children and adults who adore these beautiful creatures.  

Carl the hedgehog.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission supports the bill which can only be a plus for the bill.  Our local pet stores carry hedgehog food, but not hedgehogs.  So, we will see what happens and whether Carl will have to be smuggled into our home for a visit in the future or if maybe he can enter legally.  My guess is he could care less, but then maybe he really does have an opinion.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.