The Last of the Bunhicans

Sad as we are to admit it, we believe we are down to one last rabbit in the yard: this tiny bunny, who is Binky Bunzini, the offspring of our dear wild friend, Mini Bunzini.

We have searched high and low but we do not have any idea what happened to Mini Bunzini. We speculate that it couldn't possibly be good. Why would any sane rabbit willingly leave the sweet deal she had going in our yard?

It has been a very sad time for my husband, especially, as he was the one with the special relationship with Mini Bunzini. All those chilly winter mornings, they hung out together. And my husband provided snacks to supplement a wild rabbit's diet. But it was more than that. A bond was formed: just one man, and one rabbit.

But now there is a new small bun. It hangs out no further than a foot away from the hedge. It keeps its head down, eating grasses and clovers. It is a week since we first saw it, and already it seems to have doubled in size.

My husband says he doesn't think he can start over with another rabbit. But on this morning, as I sat on the porch, I heard his soft voice talking in calming tones in the yard nearby. And I looked. And yes, of course, there he was, sitting in a chair in the Bun Zone, with the baby bun playing between his feet.

He offered the tiny bun a few small slices of carrots, which it really wasn't sure what to do with. And then the tiny bunny hopped over . . . and gently chinned his big white bunny feets (his white Crocs), just like its mother did.

The soundtrack: the Eagles, Try And Love Again. 

UPDATE a week later: The second baby bunny has been spotted again! So Binky Bunzini is NOT alone. Hooray!!!!!!

UPDATE two weeks later: MINI BUNZINI IS ALIVE! She came back for a brief visit on the morning of July 1. We suspect she may have a nest of babies in one of the neighbor yards. . . .