Thursday, November 17, 2011

Late Night Rural Road: “God Please Help Me Catch This Rabbit!”

Written by Sharon Coughlin of New Jersey (USA)

I was driving home at 11:30 one night after working a second shift at a healthcare job. Because we live in a rural area, I usually keep my eyes peeled for animals in or near the roadway. When I turned onto the hilly, windy road alongside a river, I rounded a corner and thought I saw a white fluffy object alongside the road.

At first I thought it was a rabbit. But why would a rabbit be on the side of the road? Then, I reasoned that it must be someone’s cat. Since it wasn’t moving, it must have gotten hit by a car. I quickly debated whether or not I should stop.

I knew the sight of an injured or dead animal would bother me a lot so I drove past. But, something inside me twinged. If the animal was still alive and I had not stopped for it, I could never forgive myself, so I turned the car around in a nearby driveway and went back.

God Please Help Me Catch This Rabbit!

I made a U-turn and slowly drove up to the white fluffy object. My headlights shone on it. It did not move. I pulled off to the side of road and got out of the car.

It was a rabbit! A tan and white rabbit. It was just sitting there, apparently uninjured, looking terrified. I love animals, but knew little about rabbits. I wasn’t sure how to pick it up or how it would react, but I knew I had to rescue the little guy.

I put my hands around its middle to try to pick it up. His fur was soft and he stretched and slid out of my grasp.

Instead of running towards the shrubs near the river, he turned and hopped into the road. I looked to see if any cars were coming and prayed, “God please help me to catch this rabbit!”

I quickly went up to the rabbit and scooped him up. I got back into the car and held him on my lap, while driving the rest of the way home.

Beazley enjoys time in his outdoor pen.

Where Did He Come From?

The next day, I went back to the area where I found him and knocked on some doors. I could not keep him if he was someone’s pet.

One person I spoke with said her daughter had also seen the rabbit on the side of the road last night. She had wanted to stop, but didn’t. The daughter had then asked her to go with her to find the rabbit, but the mother had declined, saying it was too dark out and would be difficult to find him.

I did eventually find the owner. She said the rabbit had apparently gotten out of his hutch. She felt her children were not paying enough attention to the rabbit and asked if I wanted to keep him. Of course, I said yes!

So, now Beasley resides at our house as a house rabbit, inside our home, warm and safe. See Beazley enjoying a crunchy carrot.

More About House Rabbits

For lots of wonderful information about how to care for rabbits as family pets and some of the sweetest photos around, visit the MyHouseRabbit website.

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