The True Adventures Of Sandra The Free Range Super Bunny
as told to Bibi Farber
This is the story of a domestic runaway or abandoned rabbit who was spotted in early March of 2011 under my neighbor's porch. I have taken photos to document her story, but am letting her speak to you directly. These excerpts are from her upcoming book of memoirs.
When they first saw me, they didn't know that I really needed help. It was obvious I was not a garden rabbit, first of all because of my long tufts of soft fur around my face, and my unusual colors. Also, I seemed to want to hang around the houses instead of hopping away quick quick quick like an outdoor rabbit. I was a little out of place. What to do? The shelters are always full to capacity and there's even a waiting list of 12 rabbits to get in. A lady named BIbi gave me an organic carrot. Her neighbor John said I looked like a stuffed animal. He said I could stay under his house as long as I wanted.
I didn't know where to go so I stayed there near the people. They thought it was great that a caged animal "broke free" and was finally living the good life. Meanwhile, I was living in great discomfort, danger and terror. I stayed near the people because hawks and coyotes might not come so close. I like to be out at dusk and dawn eating all the grass I can eat, and that is when they would want me -- for breakfast or dinner! But there was another problem near the people: dogs and cats! Everyone is pretty much trying to kill me and eat me! Not being paranoid- it's really true.
The people thought they were being helpful when they fed me under the porch. They put some hay there but it wasn't the kind I like to stay warm and to eat, which is timothy hay. They put real rabbit food and water there. It was always way too cold for me. I want it to be at least 45 degrees F. The water froze every night.
The biggest problem: The food and the whole set up was a great way of announcing to all the coyotes, hawks, cats and dogs: HEY-- ANYONE HUNGRY? THERE IS A LIVE DEFENSELESS RUNAWAY BUNNY RABBIT HERE! COME AND GET HER!
Several times I had to run for my life. It's a blessing that I can hop, jump and leap at a speed that is just slightly faster than the dogs that chased me. Once a dog ran me all over the property! I was scared and exhausted and I stayed under the porch for hours afterwards.
Sometimes it was fun to be an outdoor adventure rabbit. When the sun came out and nobody was trying to kill me, I rather enjoyed myself. I was proud for every day I survived. I posed for my portraits one nice day.
Then I decided I had had enough. On a rainy day in March I just stayed by the people's cars all day. I was under them or next to the whole entire day. That was the day I ate a piece of apple out of Bibi's hand. I also let her pet me and I didn't run away. I wanted to be adopted. It was hard work being an outdoor adventure rabbit. My life had become too harrowing and unmanageable. I wanted to get back to normal life and let people feed me and live somewhere with no coyotes or hawks or cats or dogs. I wanted to live somewhere my water didn't freeze every night. So I announced I was up for adoption by hanging out by the cars. All day long I waited there.
Nobody took the hint. But the next day I finally met an animal that was NOT trying to kill me! It was a handsome wild garden rabbit. We had a ball! We hopped and played for hours -- chasing each other and running away from each other, and chasing some more! The people thought surely this was my big break- and that this wild rabbit fellow and I would hop off into the briar patch and we would have a family together right away! It was getting dark and everyone thought that was the most romantic most beautiful possible happy ending in the world for any creature!
But on The Internet, where the people learn all kinds of things about how to take care of me-- it said that wild rabbits KILL domestic rabbits! Not even to eat them, because we are all vegetarians but -- just because! We are not the same species! We couldn't have a family even if we were friendly because of different chromosomes and things! We're not at all the same thing. Not even as close as horses and donkeys who can have a family if they want to.
We ended up enjoying a very long first date, and I stayed away the whole next day. The people were heartbroken that what seemed like a magical happy ending might have been the end of me. Thank goodness, he did not try to kill me, but it was clear that handsome wild rabbit and I did not have enough in common. We don't have the same lifestyle at all. His life seemed very rough. There are no people to pet him or give him anything, or say: "WHERE is my Super Bunny!?"
They set a Have A Heart Trap and at night the next day, I DID come back for my pellets and frozen water and the well -intended- but- all- wrong -hay. I went into the trap, set with fruit and things I like and the steel door shut behind me!
She was overjoyed to catch me and I have been on Bibi's porch ever since. The first night I drank about 2 cups of water. She still doesn't have a cage for me, because she knows I am Sandra The Free Range Super Bunny, and I love to run around and have room for my things. I have about 300 sq. feet all to myself, which is even more room than most PEOPLE in cities.
I have learned that living ON a porch is much better than living UNDER a porch. This is my sofa that I can jump up on. When people visit me they pick me up and pet me on this sofa. What looks like a carrot here is my calcium mineral chew stick.
This is me in my princess canopy bed. Usually it is all covered up. I spend a lot of time here. This is where I feel the most safe. If you're looking for me, you'll probably find me under here.
Kicking back on a Sunday!
We went to the vet who looked in my bunny ears and said everything was fine. They picked off a tick that's all. No fleas, not dehydrated-- nothing bad happened on my outdoor adventure!
I don't want to go outside anytime soon, that is true -- but I DO love to go in Bibi's house! My favorite place is by the window where I watch the outside where I used to live. Sometimes I think about the rainy day I was all alone out there just hoping....it's much better on the inside!
Here I am doing one of the top 10 cutest things I do: I wash my face with both hands! And yes I DO wash behind my ears.
Sometimes I fall asleep in her lap.
This is what we both figured out: There is lots of unexpected love lurking everywhere…even in the strangest places! Love that lasts a lifetime may show up in the form of a little runaway fur ball under your neighbor's porch.
Love to you!
Sandra the Free Range Super Bunny
