Today I took one of my rabbits, Panda, to get spayed. When I brought the portable crate into her enclosure, I set it down with the door open and stood back for a minute. She hopped in, all curious and trusting, with no idea that we were headed somewhere strange and scary.
I wish I could explain to Panda why getting "fixed" is for her own good. Middle-aged lady-bunnies who haven't been altered are likely to develop tumors in the reproductive organs, according to a 1958 study cited by House Rabbit Society and Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund. Who knows, though--even if she could understand the reasons, she might still want to keep her uterus and ovaries, so she could have kits...
I hope Panda will forgive me eventually. Better yet, maybe she doesn't have the rational thinking skills to figure out who was behind her ordeal. I know I'm anthropomorphizing her egregiously. I just feel so bad! Surgery is awful, no matter what species you are. At least it will be a good thing in the long run.
Anyway, the procedure went fine. We got it done at Napa Humane, which is a local nonprofit shelter/clinic that I deeply appreciate, both for their accessible prices and their mission. In fact, I wanna promote something real quick: Sage Flower Hill, a handcrafted bath & body boutique, is donating 10% of February's online sales to Napa Humane.
Sage Flower Hill produces "high quality cold process and milled soaps using ingredients that are good for skin, less impactful on the environment and easy on your conscience. [...] Due to our concern for the environment, we decided to keep our focus on using ingredients that are derived from natural sources. [...] All of the oils in our products are organic and/or fair trade. Early on we decided that our oils needed to come from sources that paid their workers a good wage, had less impact on the environment and were skin loving... all at the same time!"
This company sounds inherently awesome, and "Don't Get Fresh With Me" scented scrub would be an amazing Valentine's Day gift. Go buy it. (Sonya Mann, mistress of subtlety!)
Vest AND cardigan. Obviously I was still cold.
Postscript: I'm taking a day off from the internet today--this post was queued--so I'll respond to any comments tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!
I'm sure that Panda appreciates your love for her. It's hard to make a decision for a pet. They are so small and helpless. Love the pictures of you by the fence!
ReplyDeleteXoxo-Joelle
Countrylivinginheels.blogspot.com
Thank you, I sure hope so! And yes, it's hard.
DeleteIt's though to make decisions for your pets, but if you felt you were doing the right thing then I am sure Panda will forgive you eventually. Also, I want to steal that cardigan.
ReplyDeleteIt helped to give her some little pieces of banana :) Thank you!
DeleteNever. Ever. Apologize. For talking about bunnies. :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha, good point!
DeleteThat bit at the end about you taking a break and that the post was queued... totally blew my mind. It was like a twist in a story! I was envisioning you typing it with a warm cup of tea in the morning today, lol.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hearing about anything you choose to talk about! Because it's what YOU like! :D
Hahaha, PLOT TWIST! I actually write almost all of my posts the day before, but usually I'm around the next day.
DeleteYou have a ridiculously picturesque garden - has anyone ever told you that? :-D
ReplyDeleteHigh fives for the cardigan - cardigans are always appropriate. Always.
It's actually not my garden, but I'll take the compliment anyway! And I agree re: cardigans.
DeleteMy friend Pollyanna is a certified agent for some group that does rabbit rescue and she's gone on a few times on spay/neuter rabbit tangents. Until I became friends with her I had no idea how delicate they are. Rabbits are extremely vulnerable creatures, so I'm sure Panda will appreciate you keeping her safe - even if she doesn't understand it.
ReplyDeleteAlso loving your garden setting. There's something Alice in Wonderland about it.
Rabbits are definitely delicate and finicky. I hope Panda will somehow intuit my intent (although that is far beyond her intellectual abilities, haha)
DeleteMaybe a bit of alfalfa, rolled oats, or whatever her favorite treats are will soothe? Doctors visits are always better when there's a treat afterwards.
DeleteAbsolutely! She's been getting lots of veggies and more bits of banana than usual (which she loves) and actually she's surprisingly chipper for a critter who recently underwent surgery.
DeleteThat vest is so cool! I'm glad your rabbit's surgery went well too.
ReplyDeletehttp://mattekat.blogspot.ca/
Valentine colors! I love it! I need to wear some pink and red together asap.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your rabbit got through her surgery well too!
Exactly! Thank you!
DeleteAbsolutely love this outfit! That sweater and those jeans are amazing!
ReplyDeleteOriginalluxury