Bunny Inspiration - By Maria J Speake

Well a little bunny has hopped into my back yard and into my life.  Strangely I recently had a pet pass away.  An old orange cat who I have had and I have loved for a long time.  The other day my husband told me that we have three orange cats hanging out in the back yard and that Billy, our dog, has been having some fun chasing and pretending like he’s going to do them some damage.  Needless to say my little Terrier Chihuahua mix dog wouldn’t hurt a fly.  Having heard about the cats and their antics I expected to see some cats in the yard when I let out my dog to do his business this morning.  Instead what I saw what a black and white rabbit that let me take his picture and pick him up.  (Not the best picture. See above).

I was immediately charmed so I went into the house and found him some trail mix.  Apparently trail mix is not a special treat for this rabbit.  He turned up his nose at most of it.  He did eat one dried date but that was about it.

When I got home later in the day I checked and he was still there.  I got him some salad which he thoroughly enjoyed (especially the shaved carrots) and a bowl of water.  For the rest of the day I visited him in shifts giving him some time to himself but each time I visited I brought another treat.  He found a little spot that seems to feel secure and that he is shaded in behind our shed.  The last time I visited him he was less skittish than he had been throughout the day.

I hope that he will stay and that I can figure out how to really make friends with him and to take care of him.  It’s funny how something like this can get your mind spinning new ideas.  What if I get another rabbit and decided to raise them?  There are lots of good reasons to raise rabbits.  I have been Googleing and found lots of articles some on how to make friends with a bunny, some on raising rabbits, I even read one article where a woman raises “free-range” rabbits in her back yard.  That idea sounds the most appealing to me.  The truth is I don’t know enough about raising rabbits or selling them for that matter.  I think I will probably just enjoy the little one that that has hopped into my life for as long as he stays around.  I’m actually wondering if I should do something to keep him around.  I don’t like the idea of caging him but I can tell that he is blind in one eye and I think he may be a little deaf.  I feel the need to protect him and care for him.  I will just have to see if he will let me mother him a little bit and go from there.  If anyone has any bunny stories feel free to share them here.