I couldn’t think of anything to title this post. I am considering that perhaps The Havens will need a name change in the near future. Out in California, there is a city called Twentynine Palms because when it was settled there were 29 palm trees there.
I’m thinking that we need to change the name of The Havens to Twentynine Thousand Elms:
You see all those little seedlings down along the driveway in this picture? Those are sprouted elm seeds. It is like that all over my gardens right now. Like I need another project: pulling up elm trees.
While I was throwing water at my lavender bed today, I noticed that one of the shrubs was shaking in a most emphatic manner. When I moved the branches aside, this is what I saw.
That is a baby rabbit, that was stashed there for nursing purposes by its mamma. I think it is very interesting that soon after rabbits get past the two inch stage, the mother separates them out of the nest and stashes them in various safe places, then visits them regularly for feeding. I can see that this would be a good thing because if a predator comes across one baby, it has not come across the whole litter. It must make for a very busy day for the mother, though.
Anyway, the burden of what this little guy was telling me was something like, “My mommy told me to stay put but it is so WET all of a sudden and I just don’t know what to do now!”
Yes, very wet behind the ears. And everywhere else, too. Despite the knowledge that in short order this little bunny will be eating my flowers, I did NOT snap its neck after this picture was taken. I put him back down in the lavender for his mother to take care of.
I probably was feeling kindly towards all young wild ones this morning as I discovered that the robin nest under my window that I was featuring is empty this morning. A skunk, raccoon, owl, cat, or snake cleaned it out in the last 24 hours. Sad. But we still have lots of robin nests around the place with kiddios, and the parents are starting over again already. They have chosen and high place in the elm this time, probably it will be better luck for them than a shrub at nearly ground level.
This is basically what my father thinks I am right now, since I am part and parcel of the conspiracy to “isolate” him at an apartment in town. Like he isn’t isolated right now, at the end of a half mile driveway that crosses a hollow and is washed out so badly the only vehicle that can manage it should be a truck, preferably 4 wheel drive. Like he isn’t isolated now, since all his friends are dead and no one around the neighborhood can stand him because he is so opinionated; even my mother lives in a separate house and doesn’t go to visit him, he goes to visit her.
Oh, he blows hot and cold. He tells me that he can take care of himself, does just fine, and blows off the suggestion that the fact that he was admitted to the hospital malnourished and dehydrated belies this statement. Then in the next breath he wants to know what he is going to do for food at the apartment if he is” isolated” in town. This is because deep in his heart he knows the only square meals he gets are the ones my mother prepares for him, and if he’s in town she won’t be catering for him. Jim and I will be, but he doesn’t know that yet.
I am taking note of all this experience. I will give Jesse a link to these blog posts so he can show them to me when I get old and difficult and need help and am insisting that I can do it all myself.
adore the baby rabbit – fond memories of finding the ‘stashed’ bunnies all over our yard in the spring. and being under strict orders from my mom to leave them right where they were so momma rabbit could find them.
wish i could offer suggestions for dealing with your dad. but all i can say is that no matter what you do, or don’t do, it won’t give him what he wants – which is for things to be the way they used to be… when i ask mom what she wants, that’s exactly what she says. and eventually says “but i know this isn’t possible.”
I’m always very grateful for any help I can get … not that anyone ever does of course … I’ve done my best for others over the years … still what can you expect … they’ve got their own lives to live I suppose … *grumble mumble* [Just getting some practise in]
How interesting about the ‘bunny’. You learn something new every day.
I really can’t think of anything useful to say about your Dad, except that what you are doing is clearly right, and a younger version of him would have known this as he no doubt had to make, or help, in similar decisions for family member or friends in the past.
Malnourishment and dehydration is no way for him to be, it doesn’t even give him a shot at staying healthy.
Well, I did not know that about rabbits. Glad you had mercy on it. Hmm…your dad. You are doing the right thing. He might realise this one day, even if he’s too stubborn to let you know.
It must be very difficult for you with your dad. I really don’t know what to say other than good luck.
That bunny is so tiny. I’ve never seen a baby rabbit before.
It’s even more difficult that I imagined because the dysfunctional family is now involved. But I have a good support system and reality check, so I’ll be okay and my father will get the care he needs and deserves despite the other players.
That bunny is actually fairly well grown. I have seen them when they were about the size of a thumb, six or seven of them all cuddled together in a lovely grass nest lined with Mama rabbit fur — even more darling. Hard to believe they grow up to be such pests.
With your father getting the right care and medication, who knows, he could get a whole new lease of life. Which could make some at least of the difficulties you are facing seem more worthwhile.
I want that wabbit