TinysMom
Well-Known Member
There have been some situations on here lately where people have been debating whether to get a rabbit - or another rabbit if they already have one - or when to replace a rabbit that has died. (Hint: You never truly replace them).
I wanted to share my thoughts on this - and please understand - they are my opinions only - and opinions are like feet - We All Have Them - And Some Stink.
When I lost Tiny - one of the first things I did was to look for another flemish giant - and I fell in love with Zeus (even after looking at others and considering getting a baby) - but he called out to me. I'm so glad I did and he helped ease the pain of losing Tiny.
In that case - Zeus called out to me - because I was the one who had a need.
As many of you may know - a few months ago - we fostered a bunny from the local feed store. She was very very wild and afraid of people and Art & I were both worried she might break her back if people tried to hold her. We wound up deciding to adopt her after about a month and I found myself wondering why in the world I was doing such a thing. I certainly didn't need or want another bunny. However - she needed a "safe" home where she could be her "wild" self and be accepted as she was.
In many ways - I felt like she was calling out to me - because she was the one who had a need.
Fast forward to this week - losing Miss Bea on Friday and my total devastation. Eric was coming down for a visit and I had to sort of hold myself together for 24-36 hours so we could enjoy our time with him..but I was exhausted and at the end of my rope.
When he left on Saturday - I sat on the floor in my bedroom and just let go. I cried and bawled and screamed (quietly) and just totally was a basket case. I didn't want to feel pain ever again - I didn't want to keep the rabbits anymore - I just wanted to curl up in a ball and do a "nosedive into my pillow" as a friend called it.
Suddenly - I start getting kisses on my legs and on my arms. As I'm sitting there shaking and rocking back and forth - "Miss Darla" as I had started calling her (aka "Darla-mouse" and "Darla-monster") - was comforting me the best way she knew how. The harder I cried - the faster she licked me. She took her paws and grabbed at me to get my attention and kissed me all the more. For over half an hour - she was covering my arms and my legs in kisses - letting me know she was there. When I finally stopped crying and caught my breath - she started begging me for pets and pancaking for ear rubs.
This rabbit - that I had not wanted - nor needed 5 months ago - helped bring me out of my loss and focus on something other than myself. Not only did she need me - but I needed her.
So why do I write this post?
Because I believe that whether it is "fate" or "God" or a "higher power" - there are times when a rabbit just calls out to you. You don't know whether it is you needing the rabbit - or the rabbit needing you. You may even say to yourself, "I have no time/energy/desire for another rabbit."
If you feel that tug - seriously consider getting the rabbit - because you do not know what lies ahead of you.
Miss Bea will never be replaced - you can't replace a bunny. But "Miss Darla" is helping me put back together the pieces of my broken heart. All along - I thought she was the one who needed me....now I see that we needed each other.
Robin watched us today and said that I am Darla's "heart human" and it is true. She's started spending 15-30 minutes at a time giving me kisses and pets. In addition, she's wormed her way into my heart to become my "heart bunny".
To think - I almost missed out on it - and was about to take her back to the feed store because "I don't need another rabbit."
I'm so glad Darla called my name....and caught my eye.
I wanted to share my thoughts on this - and please understand - they are my opinions only - and opinions are like feet - We All Have Them - And Some Stink.
When I lost Tiny - one of the first things I did was to look for another flemish giant - and I fell in love with Zeus (even after looking at others and considering getting a baby) - but he called out to me. I'm so glad I did and he helped ease the pain of losing Tiny.
In that case - Zeus called out to me - because I was the one who had a need.
As many of you may know - a few months ago - we fostered a bunny from the local feed store. She was very very wild and afraid of people and Art & I were both worried she might break her back if people tried to hold her. We wound up deciding to adopt her after about a month and I found myself wondering why in the world I was doing such a thing. I certainly didn't need or want another bunny. However - she needed a "safe" home where she could be her "wild" self and be accepted as she was.
In many ways - I felt like she was calling out to me - because she was the one who had a need.
Fast forward to this week - losing Miss Bea on Friday and my total devastation. Eric was coming down for a visit and I had to sort of hold myself together for 24-36 hours so we could enjoy our time with him..but I was exhausted and at the end of my rope.
When he left on Saturday - I sat on the floor in my bedroom and just let go. I cried and bawled and screamed (quietly) and just totally was a basket case. I didn't want to feel pain ever again - I didn't want to keep the rabbits anymore - I just wanted to curl up in a ball and do a "nosedive into my pillow" as a friend called it.
Suddenly - I start getting kisses on my legs and on my arms. As I'm sitting there shaking and rocking back and forth - "Miss Darla" as I had started calling her (aka "Darla-mouse" and "Darla-monster") - was comforting me the best way she knew how. The harder I cried - the faster she licked me. She took her paws and grabbed at me to get my attention and kissed me all the more. For over half an hour - she was covering my arms and my legs in kisses - letting me know she was there. When I finally stopped crying and caught my breath - she started begging me for pets and pancaking for ear rubs.
This rabbit - that I had not wanted - nor needed 5 months ago - helped bring me out of my loss and focus on something other than myself. Not only did she need me - but I needed her.
So why do I write this post?
Because I believe that whether it is "fate" or "God" or a "higher power" - there are times when a rabbit just calls out to you. You don't know whether it is you needing the rabbit - or the rabbit needing you. You may even say to yourself, "I have no time/energy/desire for another rabbit."
If you feel that tug - seriously consider getting the rabbit - because you do not know what lies ahead of you.
Miss Bea will never be replaced - you can't replace a bunny. But "Miss Darla" is helping me put back together the pieces of my broken heart. All along - I thought she was the one who needed me....now I see that we needed each other.
Robin watched us today and said that I am Darla's "heart human" and it is true. She's started spending 15-30 minutes at a time giving me kisses and pets. In addition, she's wormed her way into my heart to become my "heart bunny".
To think - I almost missed out on it - and was about to take her back to the feed store because "I don't need another rabbit."
I'm so glad Darla called my name....and caught my eye.
