Penelope Wilson
Penelope Wilson
May 26, 2020 ·  4 min read

The Amazing Friendship between This Hedgehog and Bengal Kitten Will Surely Brighten Your Day

True friendship doesn’t know species or size. If you find someone whose heart clicks with yours, then something beautiful is going to bloom. Are you ready for some touchy-feely sweetness right now? There’s a lot of it coming your way.

Herbee and Audree are the hedgehog and Bengal kitten besties brightening the lives of over 1.8 million people on Instagram. The duo has become so popular online that their followership rose from 300K to 1.8 million within six months, and it’s no wonder why. The unusual friendship is everything most people need to see to have a cheerful day.

Herbee and Audree are the animal companions of Germany-based Talitha Girnus who has steadily been posting their pictures and videos for almost a year now. Her Instagram account is named Mr. Pokee, after her first hedgehog who passed away in 2019. Talitha later adopted Herbee from a little girl who couldn’t keep her due to allergic reactions. A few months later, Audree came home with them and the pair have been inseparable ever since. With their loving owner, they travel around the world, enjoying crazy adventures together, and putting smiles on millions of faces.

The sweetest travel companions

In an interview with Bored Panda, Talitha explains that she’d always wanted to have a feline companion to bring on her travels. [1] She read about Bengals and how friendly they were, and she was immediately convinced she had to get one. However, it took dreaming about herself touring the world with one cute Bengal kitten to push her to take the step.

When I woke up and realized it was only a dream, I became sad,” Talitha said. “But a few moments later I realized that this dream wasn’t something that couldn’t turn into reality. And so I started to Google. The first cat I found was Audree and I saw her and knew it. When I called the lady she told me the story and I felt like it was meant to be. Audree has three brothers while I have two brothers. They always played like crazy and she would be right there next to them being a bit shy and just watching. Just like me as a child.

Before finally adopting Audree, Talitha took Herbee to meet the Bengal and the connection was instantaneous. They clicked immediately and although the cat was a bit cautious, the hedgehog seemed curious and didn’t put up his quills in fear.

Wherever Herbee goes, Audree goes,” Talitha said. “She lays down on spots where he was, they sometimes even snuggle and play together. They eat together at night, sometimes from the same bowl. Audree likes Herbee’s food better than her own even though they eat the same food (except for Herbee’s insects). Audree is allowed in Herbee’s cage and sleeps there sometimes or just watches him. Herbee bit Audree once and she wasn’t hurt but meowed and left—it never happened again.

Best friends forever

Talitha is doing an amazing job of capturing and documenting the lives of her special companions for the rest of the world to see. They are a happy, content, and adventurous family lucky to have each other.

Talitha explains that the current situation of the world has prevented them from traveling as much as they used to, but they are making the best of their time together.

Of course, we can go on walks and take spring photos, but we are in the middle of nowhere staying on a family farm at the moment and it’s only just starting to bloom outside,” she said. “Of course, we can’t travel, but I think it also has a good side. It makes me appreciate going on adventures with them even more! It’s not about traveling further and further anymore, it’s about feeling happy where you are. It’s a great lesson! And it’s great to see and share the positive in this.”

Herbee and Audree’s friendship is one of the most heart-warming things I’ve seen this year. They’ve reminded me that you can find friendship and love in the most unexpected people. Their antics show a refreshing kind of happiness and freedom that we all need to embrace. Make the most out of life because, in the end, your adventures and memories are what truly matter.

Amazing people from all over the world are inspired to follow our adventures especially because they love our message,” Talitha writes on her webpage. “Between all the serious things happening in the world every day, Pokee, and now also Herbee and Audree are here to give you a reason to be happy and smile. Whenever you return to our page, we want to remind you to never lose faith and always follow your heart.”

References

  1. People Are Loving The Adventures Of This Hedgehog And Its Bengal Best Friend (30 Pics).Bored Panda. Jonas Grinevičius and Greta Jaruševičiūtė. April 20, 2020.
  2. Mr. Pokee.” Instagram.