Fred Astaire
Fred was a Californian boy, a lovely, friendly, cuddly, happy rabbit.
Still, whoever the humans were who first took him in-he was most likely an "Easter Bunny"-they got sick of him, didn't want to be bothered caring for an adult rabbits needs, most likely had no idea what a rabbit needed at all, baby or adult. And before he was even 6 months old they dumped him at the shelter. Just walked in, said we don't want the bunny, and left him in a box.
We all loved Fred. Hew as super friendly and playful and practically fell out of his cage into the vols arms every time we were there (every day).
Perhaps by now you have noticed that I am using all past-tense verbs?
That's because today Fred appeared to be ill. One of my volunteers called me to say that he was lethargic, totally unlike Fred, and did not seem to be eating. So of course I went to the shelter to pick him up, planning to take him to the vet and them home to nurse.
When I got to the shelter, Fred did seem a little less-Fred than usual, but he was bright eyed, jumped into my arms, kissed my face and ate the parsley awaiting him in his carrier. I told him he was a clever and tricky boy to feign illness just so I would take him home! I think he smirked at me.
Still, off to the vet we went, so she could re-assess my assessment. We both agreed that he seemed to have mild gut issues, temp was fine, he was bright and alert and we agreed on a prelim treatment plan. And I took Fred home.
That was at 5pm. By 8PM I realized that he was a bit more ill than we had though, so I brought him into the kitchen to check him out again--then I called Dr. K at home and told her I needed to come over to her house, Fred was absolutely not okay. He was about 75% worse than earlier and I had no idea what the problem was. By the time I got to her house...he was so much worse.
And he continued to crash.
Fred died a little before midnight tonight. He was warm and had spent the afternoon getting snuggled and kissed. I think he realized, before her really crashed, that he had adopted his own human today. Yet, aside from the daily attention of our volunteers at the shelter, this afternoon was probably the only real love and attention Fred ever got.
Rabbits are wonderful pets. They are social and have amzing personalities, they can be litterbox trained and they love to interact with humans!
If you already have a rabbit, please make sure he or she lives inside your home as a part of your family. Learn how to care for him or her properly. Find a local rabbit vet (not all vets see rabbits) and get regular check ups.
PLEASE DON'T BREED! Have your rabbits spayed or neutered. If you want another rabbit, contact a local rescue or shelter and adopt someone else's "discarded bunny."
If you are thinking about getting a pet rabbit, please don't buy from a breeder or a pet store: visit a rescue or shelter and adopt a sedcond-hand rabbit
There are thousands and thousands of rabbits like Fred Astaire in shelters all over the world. They did not ask to be born and they certainly did not ask to be abandoned. Don't let them die because of another person's selfishness.
For more info, or to adopt or foster a rabbit, or if you wish to volunteer: contact us!!
Zooh Corner
Here also is a link to our myspace page:
MySpace
MySpace about Fred:
MySpace
If you are not local to us (So Cal, San Gabriel area), find a local rescue or shelter--they are out there!
Sorry if there are lot sof typos. Hard to type and sob.
Fred was a Californian boy, a lovely, friendly, cuddly, happy rabbit.
Still, whoever the humans were who first took him in-he was most likely an "Easter Bunny"-they got sick of him, didn't want to be bothered caring for an adult rabbits needs, most likely had no idea what a rabbit needed at all, baby or adult. And before he was even 6 months old they dumped him at the shelter. Just walked in, said we don't want the bunny, and left him in a box.
We all loved Fred. Hew as super friendly and playful and practically fell out of his cage into the vols arms every time we were there (every day).
Perhaps by now you have noticed that I am using all past-tense verbs?
That's because today Fred appeared to be ill. One of my volunteers called me to say that he was lethargic, totally unlike Fred, and did not seem to be eating. So of course I went to the shelter to pick him up, planning to take him to the vet and them home to nurse.
When I got to the shelter, Fred did seem a little less-Fred than usual, but he was bright eyed, jumped into my arms, kissed my face and ate the parsley awaiting him in his carrier. I told him he was a clever and tricky boy to feign illness just so I would take him home! I think he smirked at me.
Still, off to the vet we went, so she could re-assess my assessment. We both agreed that he seemed to have mild gut issues, temp was fine, he was bright and alert and we agreed on a prelim treatment plan. And I took Fred home.
That was at 5pm. By 8PM I realized that he was a bit more ill than we had though, so I brought him into the kitchen to check him out again--then I called Dr. K at home and told her I needed to come over to her house, Fred was absolutely not okay. He was about 75% worse than earlier and I had no idea what the problem was. By the time I got to her house...he was so much worse.
And he continued to crash.
Fred died a little before midnight tonight. He was warm and had spent the afternoon getting snuggled and kissed. I think he realized, before her really crashed, that he had adopted his own human today. Yet, aside from the daily attention of our volunteers at the shelter, this afternoon was probably the only real love and attention Fred ever got.
Rabbits are wonderful pets. They are social and have amzing personalities, they can be litterbox trained and they love to interact with humans!
If you already have a rabbit, please make sure he or she lives inside your home as a part of your family. Learn how to care for him or her properly. Find a local rabbit vet (not all vets see rabbits) and get regular check ups.
PLEASE DON'T BREED! Have your rabbits spayed or neutered. If you want another rabbit, contact a local rescue or shelter and adopt someone else's "discarded bunny."
If you are thinking about getting a pet rabbit, please don't buy from a breeder or a pet store: visit a rescue or shelter and adopt a sedcond-hand rabbit
There are thousands and thousands of rabbits like Fred Astaire in shelters all over the world. They did not ask to be born and they certainly did not ask to be abandoned. Don't let them die because of another person's selfishness.
For more info, or to adopt or foster a rabbit, or if you wish to volunteer: contact us!!
Zooh Corner
Here also is a link to our myspace page:
MySpace
MySpace about Fred:
MySpace
If you are not local to us (So Cal, San Gabriel area), find a local rescue or shelter--they are out there!
Sorry if there are lot sof typos. Hard to type and sob.
VIEW 7 of 7 COMMENTS
amadio:
I'm a fan of Shakespear so I think when I see that style of writing in other films it makes me like them more. "My own private Idaho" does fit that bill. Most recently I thought the same of "Kiss kiss, Bang bang"... Dark theme with great comic relief.
vegasdaddy:
I used to be a California boy, a friendly, cuddly, happy rabbit. 