Wascally Wabbit Wisdom

There are advantages to living in the 'country'.  Among them, I particularly enjoy the wild life.  We have all sorts of creatures around here from your usual back yard critters to deer, moose, wild turkeys, fox, snapping turtles, coyotes, a gazillion birds, cows and goats (generally penned in by the local farmer but occasionally escape) and even a random black bear now and again.  My personal favorite are the wild rabbits.

I've always loved the 'jack-bunnies', ever since I was a little girl.  Sure, they are cute, but why do I still find them such a joy to watch?  They always make me smile.  Lately, I've pondered my fascination with rabbits.  What I've come to realize is rabbits may hold the secret to being joyful.  Perhaps everything we need to know we can learn from rabbits.

The pearls of rabbit wisdom I've come up with are as follows:

1. Eat your vegetables.  The bunnies love to munch on the tasty grass and flowers.  They enjoy vegetable gardens, which I know makes you gardeners dislike them, but they are just trying to eat well!  
2. Play more.  The rabbits are so fun to watch when they play with each other.  The leaps, jumps, rolling around in the dirt, seductive side-lying poses and games of chase are fun!  They exude pure joy when they are playing.
3. Make informed choices.  Rabbits have a keen sense of hearing.  They are always aware of their surroundings and carefully assess any danger.  They use their ears like radar dishes.  They freeze when they are unsure to assess their surroundings, we refer to it as going "chocolate bunny" because when still, they often look like a chocolate Easter rabbit.   Once the situation is assessed, they act accordingly.
4. Look out for each other. They thump their back legs to warn other rabbits of potential danger. They've got each other's back.  
5. Run away when danger approaches.  If they feel threatened they run.  Often all zig-zaggy and into the thicket where they are hidden and protected.  
6. Show off your talents and court your mate.  Rabbits have amusing mating rituals involving lots of aforementioned playfulness.  It's hard to show a girl you are 'the one'.  It's equally as hard to choose a proper mate to father your young bunnies.  Lay it all out there.  Be yourself.  Show the world the real you.  Respect their response to your advances.  Not every bunny loves some bunny. 
7. Make love.  Often.  Everyone knows rabbits love the bunny love.  It's why there are so many baby bunnies on a regular basis around here!  Maybe it's why when they run, they flip their bunny bums around and do pogo jumps.  They are in love!  Hey, there are lots of physical and emotional benefits to orgasm, regardless of how big your ears are! No wonder bunnies are a symbol of fertility!  And no, I'm not having any more babies!!!
8. Young rabbits do not realize the dangers that lurk in the 'real world'.  We must show and teach them.  We notice the baby bunnies, although adorable, don't know enough not to run into the road, they haven't learned to assess danger and warn others and they tend to do 'panic bunny' instead of  'chocolate' bunny and run to safety.  Sometimes, they even walk right toward a very dangerous situation, oblivious to the potential danger.  Even if their parents try to teach them, they need reminding, nurturing and a good example to follow.  They grow and learn and eventually become responsible adult bunnies. Sometimes they pay for their mistakes or those of their parents, with their lives.  
9. Realize not everyone is going to like you.  It's part of life.  Stay away from those who don't accept you for what you are, seek out those who do.  Psst, bunnies, this means stay out of the gardens of the neighbors who called the police in town and asked how to get rid of the 'nuisance rabbits'!  You are always welcome here!  

To think, all this wisdom from sitting on my deck, watching rabbits in my yard and on my morning runs.  

So next time you see a bunny in the yard.  Ask yourself what it's there to teach you.