RABBIT RELIGION

Sometimes I wax horrifically philosophical. Sometimes.

WAX ON

I often exclaim “Rabbits are perfect!” I actually believe that. And living through the last week (my Adventures in Stasis Land with a rabbit), I certainly am convinced more than ever that rabbits are, indeed, perfect.

They are perfect in creation.

Having studied Jungian and feminine symbolism for decades – and yes, I am old enough to say “decades” – I could write for days on rabbits and their symbolic meanings and pepper it with a dash of archetype. Instead, I am going to direct you to a wonderful article on the House Rabbit Society's page: RABBITS AS SYMBOLS


I will, however, write a little on “perfection.”

According to Strong's Concordance: PERFECT - tamiym - tä·mēm

1. complete, whole, entire
2. whole, sound, healthful
3. complete, entire (of time)
4. sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
5. what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact

One thing that I could not ignore while laying next to the little one as she fought through the night: I knew if she were going to let go, she would just... let go. That's the way animals are.

Socrates once stated: Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
J.R.R. Tolkien, in his Middle-earth legendarium, illustrates mortality as a gift as it returns the Spirit to the Supreme being (as opposed to immortality). 

Perhaps it is a romantic ideal, but I like to think that there is no fear in animals. They know they are returning to the Great Creator (however one may view that Higher Power and place).

Part of a prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi implores: “... if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. “

The beasts of the field are in alignment with the fact that death is merely “transition.”

If only we, as human beings, were able to simply “be” and be in that whole, healthful alignment in mind and spirit; to be complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact and to have integrity.
If only we had the ability to simply “let go.”
If only.

I know that I do not. But alas, that is part of being human.

I am convinced that all rabbits are Buddhists...

NOT. YET.

I suppose it is a natural course of events for an artist to be "emotional." After all, isn't that part of the reason we become artists: to "get it out"? Regardless, one of my coping methods has always been to draw it out. It doesn't always give me the answers to life, the universe or ANYTHING -- but it does manage to let off some steam.

In the course of the past week, I almost lost one of my little heart-beats at my feet. This was, naturally, due to an act of abject ignorance on my part. One should never leave half-eaten dried apricots around when there is an ornery Dutchie Grrrl on the loose. And when said Ornery Dutchie eats said dried apricot, at least Google if there will be any lasting effects.

UPDATE: Russette (She was a "Russel" until... well... ) is feeling better and was even back in my face as I worked in the studio yesterday. I was so happy when she jumped into my lap and stuck that nose into my eye. (She also ate an aglet off one of the laces of my hiking boot. This made the vet chuckle. Seriously -- An aglet is ok but 4 bites of a dried fruit almost killed her).

AGLET: NOUN: A METAL OR PLASTIC TUBE FIXED TIGHTLY AROUND EACH END OF A SHOELACE.
ALSO A TASTY SNACK FOR RABBITS.

The rabbit is on the mend. Her human lady, however, is in need of decompression. This is the result of trying to decompress:

THE STASIS

That has got to be one frightening word to bunny parents. I just spent 2 days holding vigil over my ornery Dutchie girl, Russette. She ate half of a dried apricot – and it almost killed her.

As you know (or maybe don't), the minute you notice bunny listless, not eating, drinking and voiding, it is time to call the vet. Which I did. The poor girl wouldn't even move. Her eyes were dull. The mischievous one was seemingly gone.

THAT EVIL GLINT!

The vet took her in for a few hours of observation. I usually see a farm vet (whom I LOVE). She informed me that I needed to get Russette to another vet STAT. This vet is “One of the best” for these issues. She introduced herself as Doctor “O.”

DOCTOR O's
BIRD & EXOTIC PET WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. O. snuggled up to Russette on the table, kissed her on the forehead and said, “Poor girl – we gotta get you better.”
I did what any strong American raised-in-a-farming-community gal would do: I blubbered like a baby.

I was told that she was in pretty bad shape and the doctor could not guarantee anything. If things did not improve by morning, I was to rush her back into the office.

It is a fact that rabbits, when ill, fair better in their home surroundings. I brought her back to her hutch, her husbun and her insane humans. I was assigned the task of giving shots (anti inflammation), administering oral medication (for pain) and Critical Care feeding. And also lots of love, some belly massages and a heating pad set on low.

YES, MY HEATING PAD *HAS* LEOPARD PRINT!

I have poked myself and bled. I now have a Critical Care Feed cemented hair style. I now have a fur covered T shirt, scratches and one hateful rabbit. I love her that much.

I slept with that rabbit next to my body on the heating pad . There was a point I really thought that she was going and
I told her that it was ok. If she needed to go – “go.”

Oh, and I prayed to a Catholic Saint for intercession (I am NOT Catholic – or even close to it) and promised that if she pulled through, when I became a millionaire that I would build a rabbit rescue in his honor: St. Francis of Assisi Russette Rabbit Rescue.

And I blubbered some more, which woke her up – which apparently offended her. She took off like lightening down the hallway, crapping all the way! When I caught her (20 minutes later), she crapped on my foot.

I put her in her hutch and held vigil... all night. She is now more active, her kidneys are working, her intestinal track is working, she nibbled cabbage and laps water from her bowl. I will keep you all posted.

In the meantime...
I am currently taking donations for the St. Francis of Assisi Russette Rabbit Rescue.

BRAIN DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

I love perusing Floyd art which IS the art of Storm Thorgerson. (The splash page will cause a seizure, so beware).
This man had a MOST ethereal sense of negative space I have EVER seen. Thorgerson is the artist behind
Dark Side of the Moon's prism.

Between the music and the art, there is plenty of inspiration to take in. Brain Damage UK is a Pink Floyd fan site located, as I am sure you have guessed, in the United Kingdom. This site is chock-full of information, articles and fan art. and...
I just could not help myself.
RUN RABBIT RUN is now in their fan-art gallery.

Included is a lovely blurb about me and my buns!

"You'll notice that rabbits form the basis of her great artworks..."

::blush::

I know, I am a nerd. The metal print, however, HAS arrived. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to photograph it to do it justice, however. The black is sheen and reflective, much like a polished Onyx stone. So here is it on my wall where I hang art samples:

HEY KIDS! FREE SHIPPING WITH THIS LINK!

And it has to be THIS link:
(That's how they "getcha").

THE MAGIC LINK
...go on... click it... you know you want to. All the cool kids are clicking it...



THE SMALL PRINT:
Promotion expires June 8, 2014 at Midnight Pacific Time. *Offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases, Throw Pillows with inserts and Rugs.

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