Mikey and Melvin
Melvin stomped his back feet. How could they leave him all alone? Stomp.
He tucked himself into a small ball to protect himself from whatever evil lurked beyond his small cage.
Stomp.
Suddenly, a soft voice said his name. A warm hand lifted him out of his compact cage. Melvin wriggled. Izzy gently pet Melvin and buried her face into his soft bunny body.
“You poor boy,” Izzy cooed. “I have a better place for you to live than in a fraternity house!”
Izzy maneuvered around the moving boxes, holding Melvin in one hand, and her phone, connected to FaceTime, in the other as she called her sister.
“Nicky! Look! Your bunny Mikey is getting a new friend!”
Mom Nicky with Melvin
It was the Covid-19 Pandemic and life was not normal. Nicky wasn’t sure her folks, with whom she lived, would be okay with her getting another rabbit.
More importantly, no one asked Mikey if he wanted a new bunny brother. In fact, he really didn’t. So when the youngster arrived at Mikey’s home, he sat and stared at the new “friend” who had invaded his castle. He stomped his back feet.
Melvin, on the other hand, was very happy to have a friend who kind of looked like himself. Well, except for those ears.
“What’ with his ears?” thought Melvin. Bunny ears stick up, like mine do as a Netherland Dwarf. They don’t fall down. Yet there he was, kind of the same. But those ears! They were weird but Melvin really did want to make friends.
Melvin wants to make friends
Mikey ignored Melvin. He was an intruder. Since rabbits are prey animals, Mikey is well versed in hiding. Besides, Mikey thought to himself, being a Mini Lop Rabbit is just as grand, if not better because of our swinging ears.
Suddenly, in one huge hop, Melvin pounced toward Mikey, landing a hare’s breath away from his new friend.
Mikey dashed to the hidey house and ran inside. Melvin actually missed his frat brothers - well, their company, anyway - so he darted after Mikey.
Nicky with the boys
They chased and played. They ran and hid. And soon they began eating together. And sleeping together. In no time at all, Mikey realized this youngin’ might be okay.
Quick as a bunny, Mikey and Melvin became inseparable. Best friends - a bonded pair - even though they are nearly opposite.
Mikey - Michealagelo - was adopted by Mom Nicky from the Human Society in 2017 when he was found weighing a mere 3 pounds. Mikey should weigh 4-5 pounds. Mom Nicky was on it.
Mikey loves Mom Nicky
She was living with her folks, just outside of St. Paul. As an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter, Nicky also has a gift of understanding bunnies. She listens and watches carefully as her fur babies reveal who they are. When she realized Mikey was a picky eater, she adjusted his diet. Mikey loves his hay, salad (no to that spinach, thank you), and pellets. Mikey ate and ate. Both bunnies adore their Craisins.
Melvin wants to wander
In June of 2023 Nicky moved into her own apartment. Her father decided to build a special Rabbitat for the boys. It’s big, strong, and safe for them both.
Mikey is a few years older than his new mate Melvin and they have distinctly different personalities. Mikey is content to hang. And chew on a stick. And then hop over to the hidey house and hang. And chew again.
Nicky’s Mom with Mikey
Melvin strikes a pose
Melvin, on the other hand, is a curious little guy. Mom Nicky says he’s smart and clever. He bounces from floor to night table to bed, with the greatest of ease. In fact, Nicky was panicked one day when she could not find the little rascal.
She looked everywhere. She threw pillows on the floor (some frayed because of someone who likes to chew). She examined the hidey house. She probed corners and cupboards, boxes and the bed. Finally, almost in tears that she could not find that wanderer, her shoe moved.
Nicky looked into the closet. It moved again.
Relief and delight filled her heart as she realized Melvin had buried himself between her black shoes. Gently, Nicky picked up Melvin and pet his soft ears. For a bunny minute, Melvin was reminded of his lonely days at the frat house. He fell softly into Nicky’s arms.
The Rabbitat with the Hidey House
Back in the Rabbitat, Mom Nicky offered him a Craisin. Mikey hopped over to join the feast. Nicky sat in the hay and next to the hidey house as her boys enjoyed their treats.
When Nicky first became a bunny mom, she attended a Bunny Basics class which is offered through The Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society, where she learned that rabbit teeth continually grow.
And grow.
And grow.
It’s a reason they gnaw on sticks and wood; it helps trim their teeth.
Thankfully, Carver Lake Veterinary Center takes exquisite care of Melvin and Mikey. They are exotic animals and need special TLC. Her friends at a CLVC are kind and efficient.
Mikey loves his Craisins
Also, rabbits do not have paw pads. For Mikey, that means that walking on carpet or a rug is his preference to a bare floor. But he doesn’t explore much. He’s good.
And Melvin is…off. Again. He does not like being cooped up. He wants to explore and jump and play. He was in that tiny frat house cage for much too long. However, he might just stop long enough to spin for his mom.
Since they became a family, Mikey and Melvin have brought great joy to Nicky. Although bunnies do not much like to be held, Nicky is Mom and they know they are safe and loved.
February is Adopt A Bunny Month.
