RABBIT MIDWIFE
By Connie Whiteside

When I was a child, my grandfather raised white rabbits for a hobby. After my grandfather passed away, the family left Gonzales, Texas and returned to our homes around the nation. My mom, dad, brother, and I lived in Michigan. My cousin and her parents lived in Shreveport, Louisiana. Each of us children was allowed to take a baby rabbit home with us.

By the time we got back to Michigan, my brother's rabbit had died. Mine lived on and grew to be huge. My mom let the rabbit loose in the house during the day. She followed mom around like a dog would.

The rabbit's cage was in the basement, but she soon learned how to unlock it. She would come upstairs to visit whenever she was in the mood. We also had a pregnant cat at the time who was half the size of the rabbit.

One day, Mom heard a funny noise and went to investigate. Near the top of the basement stairs, she found the cat and rabbit. The cat held the rabbit by the scruff of the neck and was trying to take her downstairs!

Mom picked up the cat and rabbit and carried them to the big box we had set up for the expectant mother cat and her brood. She placed the two furry friends in the box. The rabbit stayed cuddled up to the expectant mom until the first kitten was born.

That cat wanted her furry friend with her for comfort in her time of need. Who says animals can't think?

BIO:

Connie Whiteside currently lives in Georgia but has lived all over the country. She has been an animal scavenger all of her life. As a child, through her teens and into adulthood, she has always brought home lost and unwanted critters, including a Capuchin monkey. Connie now has four dogs and five cats, all rescued. Friends bring her found angels all of the time. She usually takes them in, intending to find homes for them. The home she finds turns out to be hers. Connie also is the volunteer coordinator for the Meals on Wheels program in her county and fundraiser for a local senior center. To her, these seniors are more critters, but they have only have two legs.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

What unusual animal combinations have you seen forming friendships?