The season which rabbit shelter volunteers and rescuers dread is almost upon us. Parents, many warned by news stories about not buying a bunny for Easter, bring in their rabbits, which once seemed so cute, to the shelters. Unless a person is prepared to clean up occasional puddles, rabbit-proof the house, and take time to research the needs of bunnies, they would be much better off buying their children stuff toys.
From
When a Man Loves a Rabbit: Learning and Living With Bunnies, here's an excerpt showing both the frustrations and joys of living with a
house rabbit.
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Neutrino started giving me problems again that spring. I walked into the library to get something from the desk and I stopped suddenly and sniffed. There was a bad odour in the room and I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. After searching for a while, I noticed a large, dark stain on the carpet next to the door.
Neutrino had been wetting there regularly and I'd been too busy to notice. I realized it hadn't been just a one-time-offence after all, so I placed a litter box over the spot, hoping my
bambino would get the hint. He just wet next to it.
People told me that rabbits hate strong scents, so I used some after-shave on the spot. Neutrino ignored it. Even vinegar didn't deter him and I knew of no other solution, so I mopped up his messes, hoping that things would get better.
Naturally, the little guy also gave me pleasure along with problems. One day, I decided to fill his cardboard tube full of junk such as empty aerosol cans, crumpled newspapers and plastic lids.
Neutrino enjoyed clearing out the tunnel. To him, it was like having a warren and he took his excavation duties very seriously. He'd push out the junk and I'd stuff it in behind him. I can't say for sure if he disliked me doing that. However, his tunnel stuffed with toys sure kept him occupied.
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When a Man Loves a Rabbit is filled with many more fascinating stories of life with house bunnies. These vignettes range from the tragic to the hilarious. Please click on the link to my books for details about both of my paperbacks. You're also welcome to
contact me directly for more information.
This reminded me of Wanda, the white cat with black spots my family had for years. As she grew older, Wanda developed a nasty habit of wetting the love seat in the music room, right where Dad liked to sit. She also peed in his shoes from time to time, when he wasn't wearing them, of course. Dad claimed Wanda didn't like him, and he didn't like her, either.
ReplyDeleteWhen I returned to my home town of Sheridan, Wyoming, after completing a six-month music therapy internship at a nursing home in Fargo, North Dakota, I thought that Wanda, like the old people i worked with, was incontinent. I suggested that we put Wanda on a schedule like they did at the nursing home with those particular residents. Mother said, "No, she just doesn't like your dad."
Now that I think of it, since the only places Wanda relieved herself were the love seat where Dad like to sit and Dad's shoes, Mother was probably right. It's too bad Wanda and Dad never came to an understanding before she passed away. You can read more about this cat on my blog at http://abbiescorneroftheworld.blogspot.com/2012/04/cats-idiosyncrasies.html
I love hearing about Neutrino and your other bunnies, they are such clowns. I'm glad you submitted this story because some think a rabbit is an easy pet that you keep in a cage. People are surprised when they find a rabbit is as much work as a cat or dog. It's sad when they give up their pet instead of trying to train and understand them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bruce.
While it is sad that people feel they need to give up their pets because they find they can't care for them, it's better to leave a pet at a shelter in hopes of it finding a better home than to keep a pet and abuse or neglect it.
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