Never in my life have I ever received a gift this cool... a pet, a African Pigmy Hedgehog named Bilbo! Michael Scott Karpovich
Bilbo Baggins - a hedgehog outstanding in her field!
THE BILBO REPORT #1 June 2, 1999
I hated the long ride in "KARP’s" rattletrap car -- if you recall, on that day we ended up traveling through some very crazy rainy weather. We actually had to pull off the road because there was no visibility. I tried to tell him it all looked the same to me (being nearly blind), but that was no consolation. He stopped at a pet store on the way home and invested in a book and all sorts of things that the storeowner convinced him were crucial to raising a hedgehog successfully. But you know me, I will probably have nothing to do with them! We finally arrived in this town of Watrousville (outside of Caro). At first, I was not quite sure about the change (although anything is better than that car), but now I am quite settled. KARP has a cat named Gert… (short for Gertrude). I have no problems with her but she runs away every time I lick her! I think she is a little stuck-up! KARP says that I am "the nerdiest pet he has ever owned!" From what I can make out, that is the highest of compliments. You know me, I just take it in stride… I guess I am pleased to be a "NERDY" pet. I do have one problem with KARP (and it is not his colorful shoes) … It is just that he wakes me in the middle of the day - every day - to show me to another group of kids who insist on seeing if my spines are really sharp. I don’t mind being awakened in the middle of the day … you all did that … it is just these very tiny kids keep poking me with their sticky fingers! I will have to speak to KARP about this. One thing I do love … every day that he is home (which seems to be at least half the time), he takes me out for long walks in the yard or in the woods! You would not believe the things I have been able to smell, lick, eat – and spit up on!!!! Oh, glory! Well, my dear friends and family… that is it for now! KARP says that you were the best people he has ever spoken for, and that no school could ever live up to the gift you gave him! I am not sure which gift he is speaking of… I know you clapped when he spoke. But the only thing I saw you give him was my wheel – and that was so he could carry it for me! Speaking of my wheel – it is getting dark and I need to get on it so I can keep Michael (AKA KARP) up all night… I find that if he is up all night, he is slower to wake me during the day! Love, BB Bilbo, the adventurer!
THE BILBO REPORT #2 June 7, 1999 Hey Gang! Billie
NOTES TO BILBO & KARP Hi! -------------------
The Bilbo Report #3 September 21, 1999 Dear Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving! We are all pretty excited about the short vacation this week. That, combined with the full moon Monday night, has really set the class on fire. Now for a few messages... The whole class says "hi" Ricky says, "sup?" and wants you to know he got to go to Las Vegas Cade, my youngest son really wants "BILBO" to know he misses him. Jack, a former student who went to a conference where you spoke, wants you to know he will never forget you. He spent a couple of years in prison now and is trying to get his life back under control. 3 years on a tether will probably help. We all say Happy Thanksgiving and one of the things we are thankful for is people like you who want to make a difference. Take care Mary and the whole Alternative class.
Bilbo Report #4 December 1999 Happy Holiday, my family! I really miss you all. Please tell Cade I really miss him, too! Life here with Karp has been very fun… A few weeks before the snow fell, I helped Karp rake leaves. I loved burrowing into the pile of leaves. Karp got a little worried that he wouldn’t find me again but just as it got dark, I appeared by the door ready to go in to run on my wheel! The neighborhood kids still stop by and visit often. Seeing them makes me miss you guys more! The other day Karp took me to his niece Xandrea’s fourth grade class because she was doing "show and tell". When he woke me up around 11:00 am, I really had to go to the bathroom bad. He put me in a box and drove me to school. (I forgot how much I hate Karp’s driving.) He took me into the principal’s office and introduced us… but I really had to go to the bathroom. I figured I could hold it. Finally, he took me into Xandrea’s classroom where I met all of these kids who all had to touch me and see if I really hurt them. I almost felt like I was home with you guys. Then just before I was sure I would have exploded from "holding it," the teacher Mrs. Williams decided to hold me!! I want to assure you guys that I tried to hold it … I just couldn’t. Mrs. Williams said that she gave Xandrea extra credit because I went to the bathroom on her… I think she was just trying to make me feel less embarrassed. Frankly, I just wanted to crawl back into my box and hide… so I did just that. Hey Ricky, I hate the lights of Las Vegas. Heck, I hate all lights but if I join you in Las Vegas – at least there the fourth graders won’t laugh at me! (GRIN) Well gang, I've got to go back to my room. Tonight is Cottage Cheese night! Yippy! Be well, my friends… Happy New Year! Bilbo Hey guys! Karp found this book that he really enjoyed... he says it tells ya' everything you ever wanted to know about taking care of a hedgehog! Now I need a book on how to "take care of a KARP!"
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