Fond Farewell to a Bunny Girl

Almost 11 years ago we welcomed a beautiful furry friend into our home. I had about two miscarriages before this and that holiday season Kent had considered buying me a rabbit for a gift. We shopped for her together on his birthday and when I picked Sunshine up she immediately gave me what we fondly refer to as 'lickey kissies'. Kent was not so lucky and picked up one who peed on him in fright! It was a rather clear decision.

We named her Sunshine after the song I would fondly sing to her and for many years she was our first 'baby'. She would play tag with us in the backyard doing Mary Poppins leaps whe she was particularly happy, then settle quietly in my lap in the evenings while we watched a movie. It was always funny how she would silently hop up to a guest and starle them by nudging their feet. She loved bananas and cold cereal and was rather particular about certain spots in the home where she would nap. She was our little music critic and even my piano students would notice how she'd settle down next to their feet if they played a quieter soothing song well. We took her to see the nursery kids and she would put up with all the petting and curious poking. We loved her. Of all the kids she connected the most with keila even when she was young and most likely to be rough with her. keila often sought comfort from sunshine when things weren't going well with big brother. Here she is in her younger years.

We held a small memorial where we each talked about our favorite things about her. It was really nice and in the process the grief the kids we were feeling turned into gratitude for the small joys a loving pet can give. It's hard to believe it's been almost 11 years, we will miss our dear fuzzy friend.

A Music Critic

When we left for residency, Kent and I decided to leave the piano with some friends. Little did we know how much we'd miss our venting sessions on it. Bach when we want a challenge, Chopin for the moments we just want to show off, Beethoven (especially for me) when we're moody, Debussy and Mendelssohn for our mellow times and the occasionally Rachmaninoff with all it's passion. Since coming back to our house Kent and I try and find the opportunity to play piano like we did once before but find it difficult with a little boy who wants to play just like his parents. The few times we really get some of that practice in we come off refreshed - better and cheaper than a session of counselling!

Unfortunately we've had a commentator of sorts while we play. It isn't Isaac; he doesn't seem to have too much of a discriminating taste. Rather it's our pet rabbit Sunshine. It's obvious the moment we finish warming up with technique, she wanders over and settles herself comfortably at the base of the piano. She'll sit for a moment and if things sound good eventually she'll stretch our like a little brown pelt and lay in peaceful bliss. The moment I want to work on a few measures, perfecting that Chopin run or when I feel the need to pound out some Beethoven, she gets up, give us a baneful expression and hops off to the other room. Amateurs! Well I guess you can't make everyone 'hoppy'! ;0)



The soothing effects of Debussy's 'Clair de Lune'.

Home Sweet Home

I LOVE being home!!! While there's a lot work yet to do there's something about having place you know you'll be for a few years to make your own. Isaac is loving the backyard. He still continues to get up anywhere from 5-5:30am .... leaving plenty of time to play out back. His latest craze ... basketball, baseball, kick ball ... yep, anything with a ball. He's been more content lately in the house as he has the chance to release his energy. I don't know what we would have done if he were still stuck in an apartment. The following are pictures from day 2 in the house.




That boy was so flushed from playing for just 15 mins. He slept like a rock that night.


Even our rabbit, Sunshine is already feeling right a home!

Late Night Bunny Recovery Team

As some of you may know, we have a pet rabbit named Sunshine. Previous to our move she was an indoor rabbit, running about the house much as a cat would. Our house was all tile and she was 'potty trained' easily so it was never much of an inconvenience. Once we moved, all our apartments had carpet. While the traction was great for her, she also loved sinking her teeth into the fibers. Soon we had to relegate her to the balcony with supervised playtime indoors. Typically we put her in her box for the night and bring her indoors but last night she was missing. The wood panel we'd wedged into place had blown over and she'd squeezed out through the gap.

So at 10 pm Kent and I found ourselves outside going from bush to bush calling, "Sunshine... come bunny come!" She isn't very adventurous so we figured she hadn't wandered too far. A half hour later Kent found her. She had crossed the parking lot and sat huddled between bushes. Kent muttered something about the, "Stupid rabbit ..." but kept it under his breath knowing of my love for the silly animal. Between her fall from a balcony last year (see older post of 'Bunnoudini' ) and her late night adventures, I hope she makes it until we move back into our house. How many lives does a rabbit have anyway?


This is an old picture of Sunshine, she hates being carried this way! ;0)