Sunday, December 18, 2011

Hermes Finds a Home

Early on Hermes proved an interesting
photography subject.

Six months ago I took in a rabbit for Rabbit Haven with the understanding it would only be for a day or two, maybe three. The little half grown Rex had just been neutered and was sore and scared. He had been caught pilfering some one's garden. That was the story, why such a scoundrel would be given over to the Haven with a special towel and a name is odd. His name was Torrie. We re-named him Hermes, his gold ears looked like the wings on Hermes' helmet and his white slender athletic limbs lent him the air of Greek statue.

He began to enjoy being held and tooth purred
soon after being picked up

His first adoption show was a disaster, he cowered in the corner entire time and if someone did pick him up he stiffened up and tried to crawl away over their shoulder. It was clear that socialization was called for. I moved him into the kitchen and picked him up and held him two or three times a day. Often we would watch Hell's Kitchen or Master Chef on my laptop, excellent for desensitization and I picked up cooking tips from time to time. He was consulted often, healthy treats and pets abounded. My son also took to picking Hermes up and sitting with him. He knew his name and his nicknames, Little Guy, The Hermermermers, and if he was in his box house, on hearing his name shot out like a cartoon clock cuckoo.

Hermes enjoyed his time outside
in the Blueberry Bunny Park.

He saw the household through the deaths of my father and then my brother, through memorials and reunions. We considered him family. Whenever he went to adoptions shows something happened that threw him off his game. I took extra measures to keep him happy at shows. I brought him to the show myself, rather than accepting a ride for him with other bunnies, and held him until he was relaxed. I outfitted his pen with his little mat from home. Improvement was evident. Still the right person was not showing up. I learned of a product called Happy Pet from a woman who boarded her rabbit with us. Formulated from flower and gemstone essences it helps animals feel calm and uplifted. I put drops in Hermes' water dish and sprayed him with it. I sprayed his pen at the adoption shows too. He responded well to it and his shows improved more. Still he was dogged by bad luck. Even if he was calm and beautiful, no one wanted a white rabbit or the rabbit next door to him was very showy, so everyone was fixated on that rabbit. One time the rabbit next door, a Dutchie female, jumped into his pen and attacked him; not a good time for him. During the big Aptos rescue those rabbits were given priority and Hermes stayed home. I had bad ideas about keeping him and trying to bond him in with my four, wicked day dreams of an impractical person.

He knew his destiny lay beyond the fence.

Far away in a county called Marin a Dutch female pined, saddened by the death of her mate three months prior. Using her not insignificant powers of persuasion she got her human to drive to the Rabbit Haven adoption show in Santa Cruz, she knew her prince was there. She had heard via the Daily Dutch News that there was a handsome white Rex who wasn't not much of a fighter, but had the golden ears of enumerable rabbit legends. At the show her human brought her boy bun after boy bun, she rejected each one. Couldn't the fool see that these were not the golden eared one? finally there was but one male rabbit left, Hermes. He saw her in all her black and white glory and immediately feel in love. Once the Dutchie was convinced that he was indeed her destiny, she too was happier than happy. Of course, I cried my eyes out, silly impractical heart will miss him, even if the brain says it is better this way.


22 comments:

Jade said...

Happy-sad endings always make me cry--so happy that Hermes found a home, but sad that he had to leave yours to do it.

That said, I want to see the wedding photo, complete with teeny-tiny shotgun (she is a Dutchie, after all, and they can be very...persuasive...) ;)

Raymond and Busby said...

We love this story and we think Hermes is a lucky bun.

Anonymous said...

He is a very lucky bun.

Karen M said...

What a sweetie! I hope they have many happy years together.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Such a bittersweet story. Will pictures of Hermes and his bride be forthcoming?

Christina said...

I couldnt be more happy for Hermes. Enjoy your knew home and bondmate buddy.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

BG and J-
I hope I will get some pictures of Hermes and his new Bunwife, I am sure they make an absolutely stunning pair <3

Crafty Green Poet said...

Oh how lovely! I'm so happy Hermes has found a wife!

SixBunnies said...

Love this story of the Golden Eared Bun and his beautiful Dutchie Princess Bride!

Unknown said...

:)

Glenna said...

Awwwww. I'd have wanted to keep Hermes, but it's wonderful that it turned out as it did.

Lavender Rabbit said...

Hugs to you. Congrats to dear Hermes and his new bunwife. They must be adorable together.

Lo said...

Damn.....I love happy endings.
My best wishes to the happy couple.

bunnits said...

I had begun to think that Hermes had found his Forever Home with you, but am so glad that "The Golden Eared Bun and his beautiful Dutchie Princess Bride" found each other and wish them many happy years together.

Lisa said...

I am so, so happy to hear that your sweet little foster boy FINALLY found a forever home, and I am doubly happy that it was with a bunwife :) Sad that we won't be seeing him anymore though, and my heart hurts for you losing him but I know you were getting awfully crowded over there and he just couldn't stay. I wish him all the snuggles and eye lickings and follow-the-leader games that a long happy bun marriage could offer.

RG said...

Just goes to show ... set your sights high and dream big - as did Hermes. Now he lives in Marin!!! Almost as good as living with the Gates'

Annette Tait said...

what a beautiful story and a beautiful ending!
just like how Arabella came home with me and Zai - he rejected every doe until the very last nameless one in the last hutch (Arabella) was brought out at my insistence! and he was besotted by her!
Hermes is stunning, I can feel his presence just by looking at him!
kisses to them both xx

Lisa Alto said...

Sob! What a lovely happy ending to a sad story (and very well told!) x

bunnythreads said...

you are such a gifted writer-you had me at Hermes :0) will they keep in touch w/you?? I miss him already :0( but wish him happiness & joy

d. moll, l.ac. said...

Rabbit Haven has not heard from Hermes' new peeps, but I am told the new peeps often take their bunnies on vacation with them so Hermes may be out and about, a bun on an adventure. They are experienced rabbit folks, so I'm sure they will figure out each other. But I would feel better if I heard a word from them. I KNOW Hermes would write if he had opposable thumbs, he was a proper sort of gentlebun in that way.

Junkstylediva said...

I am happy that Hermes found a home. He just had to wait for the perfect one. You are wonderful for taking care of him and others until they find a permanent home.

Heart of a Cowgirl said...

Yay for Hermes! :( for you. Hard to see them go. So awesome that he found a girlfriend.