That Rascally Rabbit!

"That rascally rabbit!" Isn't that what Elmer Fud would say every time he went out with his shotgun to shoot bugs bunny?

"If you want to catch a wild bunny Eli you don't need a towel you need a gun!" That's what my husband said as our bare feet were soaked and we had been trudging through the neighbor's yard in our pajamas this morning.

I knew it would happen. Honey Bun had dug a few holes before and our neighbors saw him escaping, promptly calling us to come catch him. Of course we had to 'act' like devoted rabbit parents (and responsible pet owners) so we quickly jumped up and chased after the deranged animal until we caught him.

Now catching a 'wild rabbit' (oh, don't let him fool you into thinking he is tame!) is like catching a greased pig! Especially when the rabbit you are chasing has schizophrenia and somehow has forgotten all the love you gave it just hours before in the nice cool house where there was food and water.

But after the last rescue from outside the fence Nate and I made a silent pact that if he wanted out that bad he could have his freedom. And sure enough after letting him roam the backyard yesterday I realized as we went to bed that he had not made his usual appearance when we were playing back there. Nor had he come to chew on our back door frame at any point in the evening. We figured Honey Bun was rejoicing in his new freedom!

But then this morning sister girl was in the bathroom with Nate and looked out the window. "Honey!!!" she yelled as she spotted him looking so cute and innocent (pet like even) at the vacant house beside us. "Maybe he thinks its his house?" we thought. So, guilt set in and being the "responsible pet owner" I am - not we anymore - my husband made a point to tell me not to write that it was his idea to catch the thing again (because we don't know what sex Honey is and you know we don't want to add to the already overpopulated bunny infestation in our neighborhood) Nate and I went outside on the hunt to find that "rascally rabbit!"

Which leads us full circle to Nate's quote about a gun to Eli and that is how we left the dang thing. No, not dead in our front yard. Come on! Rather running around in our front yard gloating in his freedom! So Honey...if you can hear me out there...we have your nice cedar laden cage in the kitchen and that cool bottle of water that you only need to lie down and sip from, as well as all the food you ever wanted with no work asked of you to get it!

But no...you go enjoy your freedom...enjoy it until some neighbor's cat comes along and chases you all over Hawksridge...then you just remember your peeps and how we had tried Honey Bun...we tried to tell you!