Friday, August 29, 2014

Hoppy Friday! Well actually, Hoppy Harrington Day!

Hi ya! Hoppy Friday!


Today I am grateful for my sweet, ever so soft, fuzzy, boy Harrington. Four years ago yesterday, I brought him home from the rabbit rescue.


I really can't believe four years has gone by so quickly. I have learned to cherish each and every day I have with my rabbits. It is a gift I treasure.

Harrington is the softest bunny I have ever had. His fur is like silk. Of course, all his personality comes from his wonky ear. ;)


I love his fuzzy feet and how he is ticklish when I give him nail trims.


I love when he does his "pout" face


I love how he does a big flop on the floor and takes a nap. When a rabbit does this, they feel safe and happy.


I love how he pretends he's just going to "lick" my sewing cabinet not bite it. ;)

But most of all, I love how absolutely sweet he is and how blessed I am that God brought him to me.
 
I have received a bunch of emails from friends telling me how much they enjoy my animal stories and to keep writing them. So, I decided I would share the post on Harrington's story from 2010.

Razzy bunny had passed away in July of that year. Razzy was friends with Sugie, who you will see in the post. She was such a sweet girl. I lost her in April of 2011. Hannah came to be Harrington's friend and live in Bunnyville in May of 2011. Also, you will see Harrington's fur looking discolored in the photos. This was from him being kept out in the sun by his previous owners.

From 2010:

Doorways of Happiness - Part 2

So yesterday I told you about the rabbit I drew for a new pattern and named it Sir Walter Harrington. I also posted the quote from Helen Keller about one door of happiness closing while another is opening. Here is the rest of the story.

Since Razzy's death, Sugie and I have been terribly sad. We miss him so much. When a rabbit is "bonded" to another rabbit, it can be a little bit more complicated. You see, rabbits can grieve so much that they make themselves sick and they can truly die of a broken heart. David and I kept a good eye on Sugie and I spent tons of time in the studio with her and gave her lots of attention....but....

she was still incredibly sad. Then, she got sick. Sugie has a genetic disorder called Megacolon syndrome. She will be prone to issues with her digestive tract for her entire life. I have learned what I can do to keep her issues under control. However, stress can triger more issues. She got sick and then got an eye infection. It's like she was crying all the time. I'm still grieving the loss of my Razzy boy, but I didn't want Sugie to die of sadness either...so

A friend of mine told me to go visit a lady an hour away who has a bunny rescue. She had a sweet little bunny named Snoopy who looked just like Sugie. She also had another boy named Simba. Both were under a year old. A little bit of a concern for me as Sugie is 2 and baby bunnies and adult bunnies eat different stuff. I went to the rescue on August 28th. Bonnie, the lady at the rescue, got Snoopy and Simba out of their pens and put them in playpens for me to visit with them. Then out of the clear blue she says, "Oh, did I tell you about Sir Harrington?" WHAT??!!!! did you say???
"Oh" Bonnie says, "I thought I mentioned him." My heart skipped a beat and I got goosebumps. My rabbit drawing I named...the font I use (Harrington) on my patterns....Bonnie is a weaver and also does ceramics (visit her here). On each of the bunny pens in her rescue, she makes a little ornament with the bunny's name on it. I walked to the pen and saw this.


She opened the door and Sir Harrington came running to her. She handed him to me and he snuggled against my neck. I put him in the playpen and he danced around and did binky's (that's bunny talk for happy bunny dance). When I sat down on the grass, he came running over to me and licked my hand and layed down for me to pet him. Bunny people know that when a rabbit licks you, they are saying they love you. Even when I went into the other playpens to visit the other two, Sir Harrington kept hopping around and dancing trying to get my attention. His coloring...chocolate...like Razzy. Needless to say, I filled out the adoption papers and we made our way to Bunnyville.

Harrington is a mixed rabbit, but mostly Havana . His ears go up, his ears go down, but he prefers one up and one down. He comes running for attention and closes his eyes when you pet him.

When one door of happiness closes, another door opens. We just have to find the strength and be willing to look at the open door and walk through it. Sugie and I both needed a hug for our hearts. The hug was Harrington.

Hoppy Friday dear friends.

xx,
Michelle, the Bunnies and the Kitties too

20 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Bunnyville is a special place - Sir Harrington was meant to be there.

Christine M said...

Thanks for sharing Harrington's story with us Shell. He is such a cutie!

Lesley said...

You just started my day with a huge smile. Enjoy yours in Bunnyville!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

What can I say but that this is what I love the most chez toi....first of all, these photos of Harrington warm my HEART! And as you mentioned the way rabbits FLOP then sleep, showing their contentment, that is fascinating. Since we have wild rabbits living outside, we watch them with delight (but this year the population was really low). We would see how they'd FLOP, then lounge in the sun and fall asleep! It's good to know they felt safe and happy in OUR garden!

Shell, you are blessed indeed with an intuitive sense to respect and honor nature. These animals are a gift and need the care that only dedicated humans can give. I love that photo as well of Miss Hannah-Banana in the background..teeehee...she's got to get into that photo!

Love your story. Have you ever thought of a book?

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

So happy you fond the perfect bunny companion for Sugie, & you,Phyllis

Natascha said...

Wow four years has gone by fast. What a cutie patootie! His fur looks so beautiful and rich now. Amazing the difference. I just love bunnies and never tire of seeing them and hearing about other people that enjoy them as much as I do. :)

paulette said...

Bunnyville is like the Hilton for Bunnies!! ALL of your bunnies are special!

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Happy Anniversary--Harrington--
4 years at Bunnyville--you are one lucky bunny--
hugs, di and miss gracie

Cobi said...

thank you for this lovely story. It's a pity bunnies are vulnerable. hugs and nose kisses for Harrington and Hannah.

Jeanette said...

Beautiful story Shell. Love to read about the bunnies. Hugs to you all,xx

Annette Tait said...

happy Harry versary heh heh :)
and I so remember your story about him coming to you, and it gave me goosebumps back then, and then again today! pure magic ;) xxx

RG said...

A lucky bunch all the way around there.

Tina said...

What a wonderful story on how Sir Harrington (such a handsome boy!) came to live with you!! I loved it!! Hoppy Friday to you all and thanks so much for the lovely story!!!

Little Miss Titch said...

Fate always finds away to bring people and pets together!this one was meant to be!Happy Hoppy Harrington Day!xx Rachel and Speedy

Sparklyjools said...

A lovely reminder of how my favourite boy bunny arrived at his forever home! I can hardly believe it was 4 years ago now, bless him! Big Cuddles to the lovely Sir H! xxx

Elly D said...

Oh he is such a little sweetheart! He reminds me of our Malachi Bun who sadly past away a couple of years ago. Xx

Createology said...

Reading your story of Sir Harrington coming to Bunnyville is a "Pinch of Joy". Blessings for Bunnyville!

Judy1522 said...

What a great story Sir Harrington is truly a beautiful bunny.

tink's mom said...

I wasn't following you then. Love the story. Hate the tears. Love you all.

Deb said...

Hoppy Harrington Day! Wishing you many more hoppy years in Bunnyville Harrington with sweet Hannah and your wonderful Mum!

Lady Hannah Goldenhare - Nothing Gold Can Stay

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