Chapter 298 - A Tragic Setback

One night, after cuddling with Dad on the couch, Abigail decided she wanted to reclaim her territory in the living room. She hopped down off the couch.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” asked Dad. Abigail was on a mission. She ran past Merlot and Enzo. Dad watched closely as both of them chased after her. It seemed playful, like old times for a few seconds, until Merlot caught Abigail. This time, Abigail pushed back and it was Merlot who ran off into the guest room. 

Dad jumped in to intervene. “OK, that’s enough for now!” he said. He placed Abigail back inside the exercise pen. “I was thinking of a more controlled introduction,” he said. He knew that rabbits had to work out their hierarchy for themselves. Abigail and Merlot had worked it out before. Peacefully.

But now, after Abigail had spent two months inside the exercise pen, Merlot claimed the rest of the living room as her territory. This did not sit well with Abigail.

Enzo looked at Dad quizzically and thought, “Why they do that?” Dad said, “I don’t know. Two girls, I guess.”

Dad kept them separated for several days. Many times, Dad found Enzo and Merlot sitting peacefully next to Abigail, just outside of the exercise pen, just like they used to do.

One night, after snuggling with Dad, Abigail hopped off the couch again. “Are you sure you want to try that again?” he asked. Abigail was sure. As soon as Merlot spotted Abigail, she chased after her. Abigail ran into the guest room. Enzo ran after them and stood between them, trying to protect Abigail. “Merlot! Lay off!” he said. He blocked her as she tried to get to Abigail.

Just as Dad caught up, Abigail ran under the bed. Merlot darted around Enzo and chased after her. There were sounds of a scuffle. As Abigail ran out from under the bed, she felt her back leg give out and she rolled over on her side. She screamed an awful scream, “Ooowww!”

Dad quickly scooped her up to protect her. “Are you OK?” he asked.

Gently, he placed her back inside her ex-pen. But Abigail was not OK. She stumbled around, dragging her back leg. “Oh, no! What happened?” asked Dad.

Dad stayed up all night with Abigail, cuddling her on the couch. He was worried she might be partially paralyzed. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. I should have protected you better,” he whispered.

The next day, he rushed her to the vet. After taking some x-rays, her vet declared, “She has a broken leg. This time, it’s her back right leg.” Dad was heartbroken. Abigail had just recovered from a broken leg and now she had another one.

“At least it isn’t paralysis. It isn’t permanent,” he thought. She had healed once from a broken leg. She could do it again. Or so he thought.

Would you like to read more of Abigail's weekly blogs?  See them all HERE.