Smooshy the Rabbit

Smooshy. We actually picked the name even before we were solid on the idea of getting a rabbit. I have been living with domestic rabbits since I was 5 years old, but my boy is another story. He was always a dog person, never even seen a rabbit in a close proximity before. So, it wasn't a surprise when I brought up a rabbit his first reaction was a sane confusion. Like 'what? those things that live in the bushes?' It took some time to explain the lifestyle, but after a year of living in LA without having a little furry friend, I couldn't wait any longer.

Well, I think it's fair to say that after taking the first look at little white furry ball with brown nose and brown ears, that could literally fit on the palm of your hand, we new that we found Smooshy. Poor thing was so scared, I couldn't wait to create a safe, warm and cozy home for him. And even though he spent his next couple of month adapting and mostly hiding under the couch, once we gained his trust , little guy never leaves us. Yes, he sleeps with us in the bed. Like a dog.

There is a lot of myths going around regarding domestic rabbits and a lot of misunderstandings. First of all , as any creature that grew up at home they can't survive outside alone. They simply don't have any survival instincts similar to the wild rabbits, because as any other pet, they grow up with having someone taking care of them , like giving them water. And they can't protect themselves. Rabbits are very fragile creatures, from bone structure to the inner organs, very easy to get sick if they don'y get a proper care. However, it isn't that hard to give them a proper care as it may seem. First and foremost, tons of fresh hay and regular brushing will solve eighty percent of your problems. Or more. The most common misunderstanding, I think, is they can spend their life in cages. No, please. They are so not. The guy can't sit on the same spot for more than 5 seconds sometimes and running is everything. They are very clean animals, they would spend about third of their time on cleaning themselves, and they are litter trained. That's why you would probably have a cage, but other than that, if you create a good rabbit designated space at you home, where they could run and play all day - you will get the happiest little friend in the world. Ok, enough with trivia, back to Smooshy.

Smooshy acts more like a human than anything else. Sometimes we debate if he has and identity confusion and thinks that today he a s piglet, and tomorrow at 7 pm he will turn into a deer or horse, or whatever runs and on Sunday afternoon he might feeling his inner squirrel while , hanging out with squirrels. To be completely honest, I expected him to be a little bit more impressed with squirrels when he saw them for the first time, but he wasn't it as much. Like. Not Impressed.

Also, please, tell me what kind of rabbit sleeps like this. Absolutely , no concern or concept of predator. I mean, I get it , I nap in a very similar way, but this gut knows everything and beyond about comfort. Nothing can break his schedule for an afternoon lounge.

He is a free roam rabbit, and probably the most free spirited guy I have ever met. No literally, you think our guys are so independent? Get a boy rabbit, you will see what freedom means. Well, I have to admit , part of was the fact that we stopped locking his cage about a 6 month after we got him. And so, at night when everyone was asleep, I guess, he felt more comfortable to learn who we, humans were, how we smell, how we move , how fast do we breathe. He had good 6 to 8 hours to study us and connect better, so we didn't even notice how every morning we would wake up with Smoosh sitting right next to our face. Sometimes chewing on our hair. Sometimes licking my face. Sometimes just sitting on my chest like a king of the mountain. You know, all types of different things, but mostly we knew that he considers himself a part of our family now. And for us he was always more than a pet. He was our family the moment we got him.

About a year in living with us, we started slowly taking him outside. First, to the grass on our back yard , then to the park, away from other animals, especially dogs, and once we took him to the beach. 20 minutes of confusion and he found that silver lining - digging. Man, there were an unlimited resources for that hole! I don't really think that he could completely comprehend the vast amount of space around him, I wish I could be inside of his head! That first trip probably felt like a trip to Mars. He got comfortable with next 3 or 4 trips, and now there is no stopping for curiosity. He runs the moment we put him on the grass, he likes digging and rubbing his chin on things. Oh yes, when rabbits rub their chin it means they mark the object as their own. So evidently, my feet now belong to Smoosh.

Bananas are always good. Bananas, peaches, strawberries and watermelons are the favorite Smoosh - desert! I have to make sure that there is a limit though, and give it to him only in small pieces, because rabbits just don't know where to stop when it comes to sugar and too much sugar can kill them :( A little bit of sugar can make them immensely happy :)

This year we took traveling to the whole next level. It's summer in LA, so going on a road trip we couldn't leave him home as it gets insanely hot. So after gearing up for a good carrier and travel supplies , we went to Idaho and Wyoming, while making stops at nice grassy parks to let him out and play. And one sunny afternoon by the river Smooshy met beavers.

Frankly, I was really nervous, just a step away, ready to grab him in case beaver would try something malicious. To my surprise beavers were afraid of the rabbit! Every single time Smoosh would look back at them, they would make a couple of steps back or run back to their hole. Smooshy the invincible , his reaction was pretty similar to when he met squirrels. The only thing that concerned him was his own apple.

Besides all the joys of sharing a watermelon with my rabbit and reading a book while at the picnic, the thing that I personally cherish the most is our connection. I can tell how he feels, just my the look on his furry face, his eyes say it all. Mostly, people assume that rabbits don't have personality or have a very little of it. Well, I can reassure you, they have so much personality! I can tell when he is happy, slightly annoyed or very annoyed, when he is hungry, buy trying to fake it as if he just wants attention; I can tell when he actually wants attention and he comes for rubs, when he is full and content, when he is relaxed and comfortable, or even when he thinks that danger is approaching, even, if it's not , it's just a woodpecker. So many emotions and so many different behaviors. Every single time one of us comes home after long day at work he would run around our feet all excited and happy. His happiness means so much to both of us.

Every single time, after I have had a bad day or an argument, or it's just a scheduled crying time, Smoosh comes to me and doesn't leave until I feel better. He would just snuggle with me and let me pet him until I would calm down and internally feel better. He somehow knows, when I need him. I never feel alone when he is around. It's wonderful to know that your little furry friend cares about you so much.

As much as Smoosh appreciates his independency , sometimes the guy just wants some extra attention. It gets obvious, when he sits right on your keyboard, while I am typing this. Also, I am pretty sure [in his mind] this apartment is his apartment and he just allows us to live here. But, it's okay, as long as carrots are on time.

Rabbits are very loyal, sweet and loving creatures. Once you gain their trust, they will never want to leave you and be away from you. They are very fragile and defenseless, as I mentioned before, but so very attached to you. They count on you a lot, but they give you so much more. You know, that unconditional love. Once they connect with you, they will never disconnect and you will never feel alone. My guy definitely helped me to get through this quarantine. And more to come, I know I always have a friend.