Why children should have pets and why you should get a rabbit (today)

On Thursday Noah stayed up, in the lounge with the TV on until 23:29pm and I let him. On a school night. Whatever.

Remember we got that new Rabbit - Roger? Well Roger is now officially a house-bunny. He is also litter box trained now, and generally just roams the house doing whatever he likes and begging for food. Charlie and Lola sleep outside, but the baba bunny is an indoor rabbit. All our bunnies are bucks, and Charlie is the alpha. I get him. He is the most difficult, moody and aggressive of the rabbits but he is definitely the best. Lola is a bit skittish but I'm slowly gaining trust. I always need to assess Charlie before being able to touch or stroke him to see what sort of mood he's in. If he's a content bun, then I can scratch him as long as I don't try pick him up. Sometimes when I'm feeling brave I'll snatch him to on my lap and after a few seconds of struggling, he completely relaxes and submits to mommy scratches. When I put him down, he stomps his back foot, hops off and spends the next 2.5 hours licking and preening every area of his silky fur that my disgusting human hands have touched. He really is my favourite. Charlie and Lola are basically tame as long as you don't try give them too much attention or try to pick them up.

Handsome Lola who we thought was a she (not the smartest rabbit you've ever met in your life, but such a sweetheart)

Charlie the alpha and the most stubborn of all the rabbits in the history of the world ever

Then we got Roger and everything changed. He really has brought so much gentle love in to our home.

From left - Roger, Charlie and Lola

All he wants in this world is apples, spinach, banana, carrots, scratches, hugs and holding. When you stop stroking him, he licks and nudges your hand to get you going again. He is likely to sleep in your bed, under the duvet with you - snuggled against your face, breathing in unity with you. He comes when you call him. He's curious. He jumps on to the couch to come sit on your lap. He loves playing and is divinely curious, tame and affectionate.

So on Thursday night I let Charlie and Lola in to the house to play and look around for the evening. They spent the majority of this time chasing and trying to bite Roger. This meant that Roger leaped up on to the couch, in to Noah's arms and stayed there. For hours. Then my unsuspecting husband walks past, looks at Noah and says "Are you Roger's daddy? Like I'm your daddy? You must take care of him" and casually walks away. I stood on the other side of the room in horror at the huge emotional responsibility that G had just unknowingly bestowed upon our 4 year old. See, Noah isn't like other kids (obviously not) and he is emotional and sensitive about the things and people he loves. His memory and maturity knocks me sideways and upside down. This is a child that watches documentaries on the human anatomy and digestive system for fun. He is always very concerned about people bumping in to him as to not "hurt his skeleton". He can tell you what a hypochondriac is, define xenophobia and he's likely to call his brother irrational and insist on a compromise on all duties and chores that you would consider presenting to him. He spends hours arguing with us over things like "Why do you say the alarm is going off when it is actually going on?" and his new favorite movie is Matilda. He is an incredible, switched on and passionate child.

So there Noah sat, until 23:29 taking care of Roger. Even hours after Charlie and Lola had left the house and fallen fast asleep. Even after we'd sat trying to convince Noah at every angle that he should go to sleep and threatened with every threat we have - he was unmoved. Noah kept Roger on the couch and took him to and from his litter box at intervals. He fetched and carried water for Roger and fed him by hand all night. He completely doted on that baby bunny until they both fell fast asleep on the couch, under a blankie in the glow of the television. 

Noah you are incredible. I'll continue to bend all the rules for you because that is when you learn and that's all you want to do. You learn the most and generally have the best time when you aren't doing what you're supposed to be doing - I get it.

I really do love having a house full of bunnies and I love that you love them too. I love it when you're gentle, caring and sensitive with them but mostly I love the way that you love animals of all kind - and how aware you are of everything all around you. I hope that you'll carry these traits in to adulthood, and that you'll always have little rabbits around to remind you.