Chapter 33 - Lots Of Rabbits
“OK, guys, I’m off to the shelter to take adoption portraits for the new bunnies. I’ll be back before dinner,” announced Dad. Enzo reminded Dad, “OK, Dad. Have fun! Don’t bring anybun home! We full here!”
Everybun was happy at the House of Buns with the way it was. Enzo and Merlot shared the upstairs floor together. Bentley had his bachelor pad on the lower floor. And Mocha and Hobo had their space aboard the Starship Bunnyprise. All was calm. No drama.
It had been five years since Auntie Heather first asked Dad if he could stop by the San Jose shelter and take some photos of rabbits who needed to find homes. Auntie Heather knew that a good photo could help a rabbit find a home much faster. Dad was a car photographer, but he thought he’d give it a try. He developed a technique and eventually volunteered his services to three Bay Area shelters as well as The Rabbit Haven rabbit rescue. It was a way he could use his talent to help rabbits.
Today was a light day at the shelter. Only sixteen rabbits needed photos. At around fifteen minutes each, that would only take four hours. Sometimes, there could be as many as thirty rabbits who needed photos. That made for a long day! On those days, he sent out for pizza.
One beautiful rabbit, Grover, had colorings that reminded Dad of a Siamese cat. After photographing him, Dad gave him some pets and nuzzled him. Grover loved the attention. He melted and flattened out on the table while Dad pressed his nose against Grover’s. Dad loved these moments. Grover wondered, “Can I come live with you?” It tugged at Dad’s heartstrings, but in the back of his mind, he heard Enzo’s reminder, “Don’t bring anybun home!” Dad said, “I wish I could, sweetie. But we are full at the House of Buns.” It was hard to put him back in the carrier.
Then, it was Faye’s turn. Faye was a gray rabbit with coloring similar to Merlot’s. Faye was very shy. She sat frozen in place for a long time, despite Dad’s stroking her and reassuring her that she was safe. He waited patiently for twenty minutes before Faye finally relaxed enough to be herself so he could capture her personality.
As it turned out, this was a milestone. Faye was the 1600th rabbit Dad had photographed! “That’s a lot of rabbits!” thought Dad, yet he loved meeting every one of them! Happily, they all found homes thanks to the staff and volunteers at the shelters and rescues!
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