Easter Bunnies: A Real (Mixed?) Blessing

Well, it’s Easter time again. Well okay, not quite. We do still have to get our corned beef & green beer fix for the year, plus the shamrock flags are kind of festive so let’s let them wave a little longer before we dye up the Easter eggs.

Even so, the 31^st is Easter, and as usual there will be the clever folks who think “Hey, what about a RABBIT for the kids this Easter?” As anyone who’s read my posts knows, I tend to be Death Himself on this idea:

I LIKE BUNNIES. MAKE MINE CHOCOLATE.

Relax, Pratchett fans, I know that it’s kittens to which the anthropomorphic personification of the Discworld novels is partial, but come on: he rides around on an enormous white horse named Binky! Guy's bound to like cute little bunnies... but I digress.

Anyhow, to find out all the reasons why not to get a bunny this Easter season, just follow any of the links in the pictures I’ve posted with this article, or check out some of my previous posts HERE, or HERE.

But let’s say you have done all the homework, the housework, and the furniture rearranging, and the decision is in: your family is READY for a pet. There are lots of great animals out there looking for forever-homes and lots of worthy organizations ready to assist in the process. But which pet is the perfect pet?

Maybe I can give you a case FOR adopting an Easter bun.

     “I Hate Dogs!”

Ok, no, I don’t hate dogs, but some people do. They complain about how loud they are, how much space they need, and how they need to be walked three times a day even when they’re housebroken or they don’t STAY housebroken, if you know what I mean.

Most little dogs (so the haters may say) are just yappy little terrors, demanding and unfriendly to everyone who isn’t their “mommy.” Big dogs require a ton of room to exercise, someone with the time and energy to give it to them, and are usually the ones behind the horror stories about “good dogs” that suddenly turn “Kujo” on their owners.

But dog-lovers will heatedly reply that most dogs are super friendly and highly trainable, making them wonderful members of the family. They’ll tell you that those great big dogs are often also great big softies around the kids, making them perfect companions. If someone gets bitten, they probably deserved it for terrorizing the dog in the first place.

And oh, by the way: it’s hard to go hunting with a cat!

     “Hey!!”

Alright, I have nothing against cats either. I’d better not, since there are five prowling the house right now, and I know at least one of them will rake out my eyeballs if she finds out I’ve said anything derogatory. Call her by name? Feh. The only way to call her and the rest of herd is with tuna.

Incidentally, can anyone here call their cats to them by name? Successfully, I mean. Anyone…?

That same stuck-up attitude (“'Independence', snarrrl!”) can be a real no-go for those looking for a friendlier, more interactive pet, and the smelly litter box is kind of a turn-off, too. But the cat-people will also vehemently remind you that if you clean out the litter box more than once a month it really doesn’t smell so bad, plus there’s no “minefield” out in the backyard to worry about.

That feline independence also means you don’t have to keep up with Ms. Kitty 24-7. Once you’ve learned her moods, her preferred entertainments and how & when NOT to pet her (gentlemen, are you taking notes?), it’s like having a truly self-sufficient friend in the house. What could be more relaxing than curling up with a book, a cat, and a hot cup of joe?

     The Best of Both Worlds

Our pet rabbits have been an amazing blend of all of the upsides of a cat or a dog, without any of the downfalls. OK, maybe I overstate: I admit that I’ve never taken Luke & Laura hunting. The mental image of Luke’s airplane ears pointed straight at a hidden covey of quail, while Laura bounds away to go flush them out is hysterical, but not exactly likely. But that’s okay. I don’t hunt much anyway, beyond the pecking at this here keyboard.

Bunnies don’t bark at people, they don’t keep the neighbors awake, and while their litter boxes are a bit more difficult to police (can't use that silicate stuff), they’re a lot less smelly than the cats’. The buns love to play games too, and our “Head Boy” Percy just loves running up to greet whoever’s at the front door. You’d think he was a dog the way he loves to be petted!

But if needed we can leave the rabbits unattended for long stretches in their “house,” and they’re perfectly content to keep each other busy. As long as the greens keep coming and they get a chance to hop about the room once in a while, they’re happy as clams at high tide.

NOT the ideal house pet, clams, imho. Don’t let me stop you, though.

     Our Lovies, the Lagomorphs

It’s true that rabbits aren’t always the best pets for small children. It’s not because they’ll scratch or bite if they’re petted wrong, like cats do sometimes. It's definitely not because the animals might be too big and strong, the way dogs might possibly be.

Rather, it's because little kids tend to be a little clumsy, a tidbit impatient, a touch excitable, and very, very noisy. Rabbits generally aren’t big fans of sudden movement and loud noises - think “prey animal with large ears." It can take some work to get both sides used to one another, but once they’re taught the way of it even small children and bunnies can interact happily. It just takes a little time and a little grown-up help.

There are many animals out there competing for the role of Your Next Pet, and as long as you’ve done the homework and considered your own family’s state of affairs, I couldn’t recommend a new pet to you highly enough. I’ve had pets almost all of my life and it’s been such a happy and fulfilling experience watching my kids grow up around them.

For us, the bunnies have been an indispensable part of the whole ride. They’re unique, they’re loving and loveable, they’re intelligent, and they will steal your heart away. The long-eared “thieves” of the Bun-agerie have certainly stolen ours.

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

-  PT

Thinking of getting a pet? Which type is your favorite? Does your cat come at the sound of its name? Does anyone really think clams are a good house pet?? Let us know in the comments section below!