Sunday, December 6, 2009

Friday, I took the rabbit to do his hospice visits. While I was there, the aide asked me to visit another resident. This lady was so sweet, so excited to see the bunny, and when she reached out to him, I realized that she was extremely spastic, her arms flailing around uncontrollably.

She realized it, too, and stopped extending her hand. I paused. However, Bob didn't hesitate. He stood on his hind legs, extending his head to her hand. Following his lead, I extended the basket closer. When her hand touched the rabbit, the lady's arm tremored, ruffling his fur, but Bob didn't move. Within seconds, all involuntary movement had stopped, and the lady's hand rested quietly on the rabbit's back.

Once again, I was humbled by his ability to discern what I could not.

6 comments:

maeve said...
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maeve said...

Amazing!Rabbits aren't supposed to be smart. This one has great instincts. It's so great that you do this hospice work.

debinca said...

wow! whatever happened there is really proof that animals are therapeutic! Good work Bob, and to Diane I am really impressed that you continue to do this work with all you have going on!

Anita said...

I am impressed too, like debinca. I was in a nursing home today visiting my father-in-law, and it was humbling. You never know where the end of your life will be spent.

Munchkin Mom said...

I know what you mean: his little brain can't be any bigger than a walnut, but he somehow "gets it." Bob knows his purpose, but at home, he is just a bunny.

Munchkin Mom said...

Anita,

I usually shock people when I say I am not putting my children though Hell again. If I get diagnosed with anything incurable, I will leave then, on to my next adventure, even if it means digging a hole in the backyard and doing myself in. I'll be back there with my pets. That works.