Trick and Treat
“Trick and treat”—all rabbits know that’s the correct phrase! Bunny had to teach his family that “trick OR treat” has no place in a rabbit’s vocabulary, and that “trick” is synonymous with “treat.”
The white mini lop first taught this idea to his human mom, Kim. Bunny stood on his hind legs and reached up to her. She had a small carrot stick in her mouth when she bent over to pet him. Bunny gently took the carrot right out of her mouth! That’s all it took; Kim was immediately hooked into the concept. And after that, “trick and treat” became a family phrase.
The family loved Bunny too much to always give him food treats; a rabbit’s digestive system is delicate and obesity can be a serious problem. So, most often, Bunny’s “treats” were love and play.
Sometimes Kim held Bunny, gave him a cheek rub, and listened to him tooth-purr. Other times she’d play hide-and-seek with him; he never failed to find her, no matter where she hid. On occasion she would ask, “Where’s the Bunny?” and start running. It was his favorite game, and Bunny always dashed behind her—he knew she would eventually stop, pick him up, and hold him on her lap.
There were times when an old bed sheet was put on the living room floor; Bunny loved romping through the cotton folds. Or a family member would play ball with him. Sometimes Michael set up an obstacle course, which Bunny loved hopping over, under, and through.
With all the activity “treats” Bunny received, Kim proclaimed him “the fittest bunny ever!”
Warm thanks to Kimberly K. Dezelon, Director of Fundraising for Brambley Hedge Rabbit Rescue in Phoenix, Arizona (www.bhrabbitrescue.org) for providing information for this vignette.