THE RABBIT WHO
MULTIPLIED
By Charlene
Fraley
Our first rabbit was a
black mini-lop. My daughter Crystal named him Mr. Sheffield. Crystal bought the
bunny herself for her first 4-H project. He not only helped her with 4-H but
also was a wonderful friend.
In 1997, when Crystal
was fourteen years old, and Mr. Sheffield was three, we found out that my
husband's company was transferring him from Indiana to Ohio. We decided to let
our children finish their school year and the family would join him in Ohio by
June.
This was a hard move
for everyone. We loved our life in Indiana but knew it was time to go. It was
especially hard for my daughter who had to start a high school in a new town.
Every day, she would sit with Mr. Sheffield in her lap and stroke him. I think
he sensed
that she needed
comfort in this new place. He'd stay with her and cuddle for as long as she
wanted.
I had also gone back
to work, for the first time in around ten years. This meant long days away from
home. I was not always in the best mood when I returned. My children knew what
to do. They would place Mr. Sheffield in my lap, and I'd almost instantly feel
the tension melt away and calmness return. He was better than any
tranquilizer.
Mr. Sheffield lived
until the age of six and had a good life. We missed him terribly but knew that
our lives were richer for having him in our family. He is buried in our garden,
and my son Nick carved the rabbit's name in the nearby rock. It's nice to know I
can go over to the garden and be with him.
I don't know that Mr.
Sheffield did anything remarkable but he was special to us. He also made it
possible for us to open our hearts to Dolly, another mini-lop, and Oreo, a
Harlequin rabbit. Mr. Sheffield showed us just how wonderful having a pet rabbit
can be.
BIO:
Charlene Fraley lives
in Ohio with Ed, her husband of twenty-five years. They have a twenty-year-old
son at college, and a twenty-four-year-old daughter who is currently living on
her own. Charlene and Ed share their home with golden retriever
Casey,
Oreo the Harlequin
Rabbit, and Molly the cat. Charlene enjoys knitting and gardening and spending
time with her animals. She says of her first published story, "I have not
written much since college, so this is thrilling to me!"
SOMETHING TO THINK
ABOUT:
Has a wonderful
experience with one animal helped you to welcome another one into your
home?
