The World's Largest Rabbit

Socrates, the Master of the House

Everyone who has been reading our blog for a while knows by now that I have a long standing passion for rabbits. Over the years, we have had three of them: Zacharias, a small black fellow I rescued from the middle of a back road in rural Vermont ; Socrates, my great love, a jet black runaway with one floppy ear who ended up in my sister-in-law's garden in Kansas City, MO, and  flew back with us to Wellesley; and Mucca, white as snow and the only female, abandoned at a vet's who was a friend of mine.

All three had distinct personalities, idiosyncratic, box trained [for the most part], adored chewing on wires, especially telephone cords [did they get a high from the shock?!], had both endearing and challenging traits, and were adopted by our cats. They would groom each other, go outside together through the cat door and patrol the perimeter of our property. By choice, they slept on the oriental rug in the living room. They summered in Vermont with us and return to their urban setting for fall and winter. Intelligent, good guardians [they would thump loudly with both back feet whenever alarmed- mostly by dogs passing by outside], engaging, whimsical, sensitive to moods shifts, and utterly lovable and loving.

After the demise of our last rabbit over 15 years ago, I vowed that I would never adopt another one, mainly because I travel so much and it isn't easy to find a "sitter" a rabbit will accept. We learned from experience, often coming home from a trip to find that as punishment, a library book had been gnawed at, pellets left a little mementos OUTSIDE the box, or a piece of furniture scratched to pieces... However, last night I was looking at various internet sites when I came across photos of the world's largest rabbit. I was sooooo tempted to break my word. I immediately emailed my now grown children who were equally beguiled. I am going to resist the urge, but I wanted to share a few of the images with you. Some of these creatures weigh as much as a hefty baby! I wager that they have personalities to match.

If anyone is thinking of falling for a rabbit, especially as Easter approaches, just be aware that rabbits are very high maintenance. They should never be caged but allowed to become another member of the family, free to hop around the house, go upstairs, jump on beds and couches, and go outside if one lives in a safe neighborhood. It is like having a 2-year-old, rambunctious, independent, curious and stubborn, who never grows up!

Hope you enjoy the pictures below! Once in a while it is nice to post something light hearted and frivolous.
Love to all OneWorlders,
Mei-Mei