Raising Orphan Bunnies

As I was raking years of debris off what I hoped would be my garden, I uncovered a nest with four tiny baby bunnies. They were surrounded by their mother’s fur and dry leaves, very warm although the day was cold. They instinctively froze while I took a good look at them.

They were beyond cute and totally helpless. Each about 3 inches long, they all huddled together and they made no noise. Their eyes were not open; their ears were flat against the sides of their heads. They were a soft warm grayish brown, with a white blaze in the middle of their foreheads.

We checked them daily, and one day it seemed clear that they were restless, they were actually making noise, an indication that Mom Bunny was no longer on the job. Their eyes had been open for two days.

Rather than let them die, my animal loving daughter took the bunnies in and fed them until they were weaned and big enough to be released somewhere far away from my garden. I was a little anxious about the plan; wild baby bunnies are hard to keep alive in captivity.

She fed them goat’s milk with a little greek yogurt three times daily. They started by taking just a few drops at a time, and soon were taking more than a teaspoon at a feeding. After a week she gave them alfalfa hay, and they started to munch on that. In another week they were big enough to be weaned. She started giving them rabbit pellets and decreasing the goat’s milk. I was so proud of her. She really worked hard to keep the bunnies healthy. She didn’t pick them up just to pet them, she kept the cage clean, she made time to feed them on schedule, and just did a really great job. She was 11 years old.

The safest place my daughter could think of to release them was the summer camp she attends each year. So one day we drove up to Camp Roger, followed a trail, and let the bunnies go at the edge of a meadow.

I am sure she will be looking for them this summer when she gets to camp.

My New Desk

Last Sunday I received a wonderful Mother’s day gift from my husband and kids.

Other than the sweet handmade cards I’ve received over the years, I think this may be my favorite.

They gave me a desk with 20 odd shaped drawers.

It is not new, in fact it appears well used. It is not decorative – whoever built this did not worry too much about the aesthetics of the project. It is not even well cared for – the bottom shows distinct evidence of having been left in water for a long time. I am pretty sure it cost them very little.

I love this desk. This desk is perfect. It is well built, functional, unique, and perfectly suited to solve the problem of trying to keep my jewelry making tools and supplies organized while giving me a great place to work.

I had never complained about the little card table that was home to my jewelry making crafts. I didn't even realize how inadequate it was. But Mark and the kids knew - and they found this for me.

It does nothing for anyone else in the house. There is no benefit, no secondary gain in this for anyone. It will be tucked away in my craft room, making my life better, and reminding me I am loved.