Chapter 114 - The Meaning of Life
Bentley looked out the window. Spring was in the air! The sun was shining, the air was warm, and the trees were green again. He looked forward to this time of year. It meant willow was back in season! Soon, Dad would be making fresh foraging balls for him. Usually, he got the first one for his “Gotcha Day” present.
Sure enough, Dad came into the room and exclaimed, “Happy 8th Gotcha Day, Bentley! I made you a fresh willow foraging ball!” Dad set the foraging ball on the floor and sat down to watch Bentley. Bentley sniffed the ball and stuffed his head into it, searching for the treats inside.
As he nibbled on the first one, Dad said, “Can you believe we’ve been together for 8 years? That’s a long time! I still remember the first day you came here. It was supposed to only be temporary, but within the first hour, you stole my heart and I asked you if you wanted to stay.” [ You can read more about Bentley’s first day here: https://smallpetselect.com/through-abigails-eyes-foster-fail/ ]
Bentley remembered. He had been forever grateful that Dad had saved him from “the list.” He found a good life. He had his own territory and a Dad who loved him. But he wondered, “Dad, why am I here? Why do you feed me and take care of me? What’s my purpose in life?”
Dad replied, “Gosh Bentley, that’s a deep question. I suppose the short answer is, you make me happy! You’re the first thing I see when I wake up, and the last thing I see when I go to sleep. Petting you gives me peace. I just love you, Bentley.”
Bentley pondered the answer as he chewed on a fresh willow leaf. It tasted so good! He thought, “OK, I’m good with that.”
Dad said, “I know 8 years is getting up there for a rabbit. But the vet gave you a clean bill of health and said you’re the most rabbit-like-rabbit I have, so you shouldn’t really have any health issues. No pushed in face to cause misaligned teeth like Dwarfs have. And you have uppity ears so you aren’t prone to ear infections like lops. So I expect you to stick around for awhile yet, OK? I can’t take any more losses.”
Bentley thought, “OK, Dad. I do my best to stick around and take care of you!”
Bentley ponders the meaning of life while chewing on his fresh willow foraging ball.
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Maurice lives with two rabbits, and does most to of the typing for Abigail, our novelist.
