Our Bunny Story

I first fell in love with rabbits about 16 years ago when my cat discovered a rabbit nest and began bringing me "presents". One of those "presents" we were able to rescue from the jaws of death. We named him Lucky, for obvious reasons. One of his back legs was injured so he could only hop in circles. But he was happy, energetic, and affectionate.

Unfortunately we did not know how to properly care for a rabbit, especially one so young and with injuries (some we could see but there may have been others we couldn't see).  Not long after we rescued him, he passed over the Rainbow Bridge. But he was with us long enough for me to fall in love with him and to get a glimpse into the joy a pet rabbit could bring to my life.

Mr. Sparkle in his house

Mr. Sparkle playing with his toys

Later that year (in 1999), I got married and for the first couple years of our marriage I pleaded with my husband to get a pet. By 2002, he had come around and we started doing our research about having a pet rabbit.  Unbeknownst to me, he had already done his own research and had found a breeder nearby and made arrangements to take one of their babies from a new litter.

I actually got a surprise email from my new bunny, with pictures, letting me know that he/she would be coming home with me in a few weeks when he/she were old enough. I was ecstatic!! When it was time, we went to pick out exactly which baby would be ours. After watching them and interacting with them for a few minutes, I spied the perfect one. A little chocolate Dutch boy, whom we named Mr. Sparkle (Sparkle for short), not too shy but not too hyper.

Sparkle as a baby, right after we brought him home

He was sweet and funny and crazy! He would run around my feet when I sat in my office chair and make me laugh. The more I laughed, the faster he would run! We spent hours on the floor together snuggling and nuzzling. We formed a very special bond. Everyone who came to my house always loved him, as he was very friendly.

My Santa Sparkle! He was very tolerant..."mom, why are you doing this to me?"

He loved to play in his bunnel (bunny-tunnel)

Unfortunately, just shortly after his 4th birthday, he got sick. The vet gave him some medicine and he seemed to get better for a couple days but then took a turn for the worse. We rushed him to the emergency vet, but it was too late. He had joined Lucky at the Rainbow Bridge. We were devastated. And I didn't think I'd ever be able to open my heart to another rabbit again.

Sparkle taught us to love life to the fullest. When I think of him, I'm reminded of a quote from the movie, BladeRunner, "the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long...and you have burned so very very brightly." That was our Sparkle.

Several years later, I began to feel the call of the wild to be a pet parent again. But I was hesitant. I began researching other pets, including guinea pigs and potbellied pigs. But my heart continued to be drawn to rabbits. Finally, 8 years after we lost Sparkle, a friend of ours from church decided to try her hand at breeding her rabbit. Her Rex mama gave birth in September 2014.

I knew if I didn't open my heart now, I may not have another chance. My husband finally gave in and I went to meet the babies and picked out my two favorites. We brought them home a couple weeks later and I instantly fell in love! It has not always been easy and we've encountered some trials along the way already, but they bring so much joy and light to our lives and to our home!