Belinda Says Hay: “A New Romance”

Hello. It’s Belinda.

I hope you had a good Independence Day holiday. I had the day off, which was a nice break in the middle of the week. Mostly I loafed.

I also spent a lot of time thinking about independence. What it means to need others and vice versa.

It’s especially interesting right now because there’s a little “rom-com” playing out here at home. Romantic comedy. Between my boyfriend’s companion and the English.

Can you believe it?

My roommate is always trying to fix the English up with other rabbits. But you can’t force two rabbits to get along. He was downright rude to me when I first moved in, if you want to know the truth.

Fine with me. I don’t mind being single and I wasn’t looking for a partner.

And I didn’t “chase after” my boyfriend—he kept jumping the exercise pen to chase me. One thing led to another.

After he died, I missed him so much I had a hard time sleeping or eating on the bottom floor. But my boyfriend’s companion was even more upset. They were together day and night for years.

Sometimes she stares at the steps as if she hopes to see my roommate walking down to us, carrying my boyfriend home from the vet without the first lump or the second one.

That’s why my roommate set up a new pen in the kitchen. She moved the companion upstairs so we can all be together during the day. I chase her but not when there’s a fence.

But it’s not the same as a boyfriend and my roommate knows it. So her bright idea was to play matchmaker. Bring the English downstairs from the bedroom level and try to force them to fall in love.

When I hear them bickering over the cilantro during one of their “dates,” that’s my cue to go to the bottom level. I’m staying out of it. Not my business.

But when I’m down there under the steps, having a chew, I can hear them run across the ceiling. And I try not to worry about how things will change if they end up together.

I like taking care of my boyfriend’s companion. Remembering to say good morning and good night. Timing my hays so she’s not eating alone.

In fact, we all take care of each other in some way and that includes my agent. We remind my roommate to take breaks from the computer. We dump the water bowl so she doesn’t have to.

Everyone has a job in our little warren.

So independence is fine but I would rather be part of a family. I was free when I was living outside in the city and “no thank you.” Sometimes freedom is just nothing left to lose.

And if the English can stop being so rude, he might find that out for himself.

Sincerely,

Belinda

Spokesrabbit, Small Pet Select