She was a rescue bunny - rescued before I even knew there was a rabbit shelter here. I was running one morning not long after we moved to New Home and saw a rabbit out in the lawn by the apartments I was staying at standing on its hind legs (called "periscoping"). I looked at it and realized that it was lop, a rabbit with its ears down - not at all a rabbit that should be living out in the urban environment. She had either escaped from somewhere or was abandoned.
It took me about a week to track down where she was living - under a old Mercedes Benz. I bribed her with carrots and grabbed her. Since then she lived with us.
She was a very sweet rabbit -not one for sitting on your lap but would happily sit next to you for all the pets. She loved to have her nose scratched and was very generous with her kisses. She especially looked forward to her morning snacks (usually carrots, but sometimes apples or lettuce). She was also a very patient bunny as I slowly learned to navigate having two rabbits and making sure that both were cared for.
She was happy to the last, willing to give kisses and have her tummy filled with all sorts of good snacks. The house definitely has a hole in it without her.
Rabbits are somewhat odd pets. They do not have the responsiveness and pack mentality of dogs, nor do they have the aloof independence yet willing to adore of cats. They are prey animals that have overcome their fear of everything being something that will eat them. They do not do tricks (often), do not catch pests, are not home guardians, and in some ways would seem to be as ornamental as fish or birds. But they bear a certain quality, an equality of being willing to be loved and exploring and sometimes being feisty yet changing into zen-like calm that is unlike any other animal I have owned. They are not for every one, but for me Midnight (as well as Snowball and Bella before her and I-Bun now) have made my life the more richer.
She will be missed.
That is such sad news! Having had house rabbits as pets, I know what you mean about them. My first house bunny Rudy, became buds with our can Rascal. They would play and sleep together. No rabbits now, but I think they make fantastic pets.
ReplyDelete*hugs* Midnight had a much better and longer life after you noticed her. You have my condolences.
ReplyDeleteTB I made pets out of chickens. And pigs. Anyone that questions the value of any pet is full of beans.
ReplyDeleteI used to laugh at the PETA crowd but I have seen the love and intellect in the eyes of these critters just as you have. There is more to them than just meat.
When they go they take a piece of you with them
Leigh - They do make great pets. I wish more people would give them a chance.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. I sure hope she did. She always seemed very grateful.
ReplyDeleteGlen - I made pets of my chickens growing up too.
ReplyDeleteThere is more to them than just meat. I think there is a great understanding of that in Native Americans in that they thanked the animal for the gift of its life.