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| Thaddeus and I have both been hiding in our homes lately. |
Hello everyone!
I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I updated here. Every time I make a vow to start being more frequent in my updates I either find I have nothing of significance to say, or I just lose track of time.
This time it's more like I haven't had anything of significance to say. I've been dealing with some pretty intense bipolar issues over the last couple of weeks, but I am on the right track to getting better. I won't get deep into it, but part of it is that I've had major anxiety issues about leaving my home. I really don't know where it's coming from, but it's hindering my life.
I once had an episode where I couldn't go outside because the air was "wrong", but I woke up the next day and all was well again. This time, it seems to not be going away, no matter how much I want it to. I am pretty much a homebody anyway, and to be honest, it wouldn't bother me much if I hardly ever got out, but it bothers me when the reason I'm not leaving isn't because I choose not to but because I'm afraid. That's an entirely different matter.
Anyway, I am trying out some new ways both medicinal and spiritual to help cope with what's been going on. It's not uncommon for bipolars to go through what I've been dealing with, but it could be that all the changes in my medication/body/life recently have helped to throw my brain chemistry for even more of a loop.
In other news, my lovely hedgehog Thaddeus (pictured above) has been dealing with a mite outbreak for a couple of months now. Mites are quite common in hedgehogs, but surprisingly, after 8 years of hedgehog ownership, this is my first time dealing with them. They can be quite a pain in the ass to get rid of sometimes, and of course, that has been our case. I gave him the treatment to get rid of them when I first noticed the outbreak, but I wasn't able to give him the final dose and I guess that allowed the remaining eggs to hatch and reinfect him. So, he's on yet another round of treatment that I will finish this time and hopefully it will take care of them. I really do hope so because I have been so stressed worrying about my little man.
I know most people probably think I am a complete psycho because of my insane love for hedgehogs (I do have five of them tattooed on me, afterall), but it never fails that when I start to fall into the really dark times/places in my mind they are what saves me. I look into those little beady eyes, that wet, wiggly nose and touch their amazing quills and I find that happy place inside me again. Needlesstosay, I've been spending a lot of time with Thaddeus, on hedgehog forums and posting hedgehog photos and information online lately because they make me smile when things are hard.
Do you believe in spirit animals? I do, and I just know that instead of having a mighty lion or courageous bear as mine, I have a prickly hedgehog. Who's to say there's anything wrong with that? :)
All that said, there really isn't much else I feel I can update on. The world keeps on spinning and life keeps on living.
As a side note, I'd really appreciate it if you could take the time to vote for #10 - Thaddeus Otto in the Hedgehog Summer Photo Contest. He has been through a lot lately and could really use a new wheel. Thank you very, very much.
