Harry2

Harry was a gift for our son's sixth birthday. Harry was a Netherland Dwarf (the smallest bunny breed) He was a tiny bundle of gray, black and white fur. Our son described Harry's coloring as "Sweater Gray" - all mixed and blended together. Harry had a snow white belly and fit nicely into a very small soup bowl. In fact, Harry was so small, we were sure he must be a girl so, in the beginning, he was called. Hilda. Harry had much to teach us, and teach us, he did!

As with most "animal gifts", our son soon tired of the responsiblities of caring for a pet. That was when Harry became my bunny. The first two years of Harry's life were spent behind bars. We let him out at night to get some exercise and he continually amazed us with his skills of evading capture when it was time to retire.

He never tried the same evasion trick twice. Frantic screams of, "Don't let him get under the bed!" were often heard. Of course, our six year old thought it was a great joke to see his parents on the floor with brooms and mops attempting to "sweep or mop" Harry out from under the bed. He left the bedroom doors open a lot!

When we finally captured Harry and sentenced him back to his prison house, he would bite at the bars and bump the cage top with his head. He bumped it so much that we had to use clothes pins to secure the top. Harry did escape one fine day and after that, we didn't have the heart to cage him again. That was when Harry became a

"House Rabbit."

Rocky was a laid back, independent rabbit! He could often be found "bonding" with the refridgerator - sitting in front of it just in case some bunny treats might fall out or perched over the cool air vent letting the breeze blow his ears. He always came running when I called him and loved to check out every plastic bag from the grocery store. He loved yogurt drops and bananas.and would stand up on his hind legs and beg for his favorites.

It seems like Rocky was always underfoot and I was constantly stepping over him. He didn't even mind when I ran the vacumn- he just sat and watched me. Rocky and I did not have a cose personal relationship, since he didn't like to be petted. I would always have to capture him to give him any attention, and he made his feelings about that well known. Atempts to rub his head would result in him bucking his head up and down to throw off my hand..

I miss seeing him with his feet tucked in plopped down in a huge puff ball. He looked just like a big fuzzy bunny slipper. I miss him every morning, at noon and late at night when the house is quiet..

My sweet Rainbow Bunnies :Harry, Rocky & EarlGrey hop through my dreams and live now, only in my heart.

One trip required us to continue driving but we got so sleepy, we pulled into a rest stop, hopping to nap a bit in the car. Harry had other ideas, however. As soon as it was quiet and still, he started tearing his newspaper in long strips (he always hated newspaper as a bedding material). His protest against newspaper, being caged, and "are we there yet syndrome", didn't go unheeded. Harry let his dislikes known in other ways too. When he was low on food or water, he would come and "thump" at my feet.

Harry wasn't neutered in those days and he taught is yet again. Even boy bunnies that live with other boy bunnies need to be neutered! Yes! Do it early!

EarlGrey was Harry's first "bunny-buddy". They soon became what is known as "a bonded pair." Harry taught his new friend all the things he needed to know, like where the potty was and the best places to hide out. Harry was never a "chewer", but EarlGrey sure was. In fact, EarlGrey taught Harry all about the joy of chewing woodwork, lamps, phone cords (Harry bit the phone cord into once while I was talking) Earl Grey gnawed at the slats under our bed while we were in it! EarlGrey had a totally different personality, he was so timid that he never let me pet him, but he took courage from his friend. Wherever Harry went, EarlGrey followed. Harry loved to be petted, but he didn't like to be picked up. most rababits don't. He enjoyed exploring bunny hide-outs constructed from cardboard. I almost put a sign on the bumper of our car once, that read, "I brake for Weed-Eater boxes!" They make excellent bunny tunnels!

We aquired another bunny only last year. He's was gray and white spotted mini-lop. Harry taught him too. Harry loved Rocky (the lop) just as much as his old friend, EarlGrey.

Harry, EarlGrey and Rocky were loved as much as any bunnies could have ever been loved and thier passing has left a huge empty places in our hearts.