It began innocently enough, with a box of bunnies.
One look inside the cardboard crate on a table at the odd and unusual sale in Picture Butte, Alta., and she parted eagerly with two toonies – $2 per rabbit.
Were they the same gender? The seller figured they were. And to the novice rabbit raiser, his word was as good as any. That is, until internet research and some scrutiny of the bunny undercarriage told differently.
So Ray was Ray, and Molly was Molly, named for the jazz singers that the bunnies’ new owner listened to most often. The spur of the moment purchase didn’t allow time for outdoor housing preparation. Winter loomed.
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So Ray and Molly, easily littered trained, hopped around the house in the evenings. Jazz and blues made them amorous. So did rock and roll, rockabilly, classical, rap, folk, country and hip hop.
One thing led to another. And before long, the owner was pulling her hair out. So was Molly, who was building a nest.
Now what? Who knew anything about the hare-raising business? Well, everyone, as it turned out. Everyone is an expert when it comes to bunnies. She got more advice than a first-time farmer at a community pot-luck supper.
Separate the bunnies. Don’t separate the bunnies. Feed her a lot. Feed her a little. Leave her alone. Give her lots of attention. And that was just the advice from friends and family. The obligatory internet research gave 10 times the amount of conflicting information.
The babies were born and the babies died. Score one for the nature of things.
And in the meantime, there was maintenance. Cages. Bedding. Feed. Protection of all electrical cords in the house, which contain some weird kind of rabbit nip. Convincing the house cat that bunnies weren’t a threat. And cleaning, forever cleaning, the inexhaustible supply of bunny bits.
Then came more hair-pulling. Molly was nesting again. Everyone told of the pending blessed event seemed interested in adopting a rabbit. One rabbit. No fools they.
Easter was approaching. Molly bedded down. Five baby bunnies emerged, and within 10 days had opened their eyes just in time to see Easter.
But no bunnies were given away at Easter. For one thing, they were too young. And for another, the owner had learned that bunnies are not the easiest pets to keep.
Oh, the rabbits will find homes, one way or another. And there are always those who can’t resist the urge to open the cardboard box, and then can’t resist the cuteness inside.
And so the Easter bunny tale begins anew.
