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4 years ago, I drove across town to rescue two bunnies whom the owner was threatening to turn into dinner if no one took them. There were 6 in total. All the other rabbits, brown with big eyes, were snatched up quickly.

The two white ones with red eyes no one wanted. So I took them.

I brought the twins back home, swearing that I would find them a home. That home turned out to be mine.

What to name them? It was so hard to name one bunny, but two? I posed this question on a bunny Twitter account I had created for Rainbow and Pat.

“Twins?” someone remarked, “How about you name them after the Weasley twins on Harry Potter, George and Fred?”

George and Fred they were named.

Fred was a very shy, timid rabbit. He was big bunny, but he always seemed to squeeze himself into the tiniest spaces.

We took him everywhere with us. We got to go to cool events all over Houston. Fred went to glamorous events, parties and took photos with DJs, Olympic champions as well as hundreds of people who wanted to take selfies with him. We once almost got tossed out of a fancy hotel, because I took a photo of Fred in front a fancy spa! I loved pushing the envelope, though with Fred, I was always mindful of his very shy nature.

One day, I brought home a tired, skinny, filthy rabbit who had been left outside all winter. While I was getting him ready to go to a new home, Fred begged to see the new rabbit.

What harm could it be to let them see each other? So I watched closely as they sniffed each other, tentatively.

The loneliness of the new bunny took over and Fred’s very sweet nature made them hit it off quickly. Off these two waltzed into Fred’s cage and they were inseparable.

We named the new bunny Mocha, and Fred got to work parenting him. He taught him how to use the litter box, settled him into our household routine and constantly, constantly snuggled him. Fred washed Mocha’s fur, and let him eat most of the food.

Suddenly, Fred wasn’t so shy anymore. He advocated for Mocha, and watched us carefully when we took care of him. Did he feel we were we being a little too rough with his baby? THUMP! Did his little Mochaccino need a break from us petting him? He pushed our hands out of the way and blocked us from touching him. He loved Mocha with the same level that a parent loves a child. Mocha is terribly spoiled, but loves his adopted father just as much.

Soon, another heartbroken rabbit, Theodore, came to us. Fred knew what to do. He socialized Theodore and helped him feel like he was part of the family. During violent thunderstorms, Fred would sit nearest the window, eyeing the storm, daring it to even try and come hurt his babies.

When Fred got sick, Mocha and Theodore took turns keeping Fred warm, snuggled and loved. They groomed him. They gave him kisses. They ran to him after those awful force feedings and medicine sessions. They tolerated lights being flicked on at all hours of the night so I could check.

Today, we missed seeing Fred alive again by 5 minutes. He died before Fred could see us all together one last time, right as I was getting off the freeway to the hospital exit. I hope he knows how much we loved him and how much we wanted to be there when he died, but I didn’t want him to be forced to wait for us. When he was ready to go, I wanted him to let go.

He was a loving rabbit, who spent hours staring at me, as I imagined little hearts floating above his head. He loved his family. He loved going to the park and playing.

Life isn’t the same without him. RIP

Fred Shen

May 1, 2016 – July 12, 2020

Before the pandemic, we lived a lot of our lives outside. We went to the park whenever we could. We visited different parks, all over town, even botanical gardens.

We live in the Houston metro area, if you think that this Texas town is flat, dreary and ugly, well, you’re right. Partly.

Houston has spent a lot of time, money and real estate in building parks of all kinds. Large parks, with miles of trails and lots of trees. Medium parks, with winding concrete trails. Small parks, tucked into small pockets of town, near homes and businesses.

We live in the town of Sugar Land. Sugar Land alone has a dozen parks or so, all lovely, green and inviting to kids, parents and bunnies alike.

We pack up our rabbits, their wagon, and an exercise pen and drive 10 minutes to a cute park that is just across the freeway. We let the rabbits run around and play. They LOVE it. Park goers love it too, as they gather to watch the rabbits play. Rainbow and George love to explore, and Theodore and Mocha love to snuggle up to trees. Pat used to go play with children, while Fred used to keep an eye on his two spoiled babies, Mocha and Theodore.

Once COVID-19 hit, we visited parks even more. We chose parks that were deserted. It was sad that no one could pet the bunnies anymore or come near us, but we were happy to be outside.

Then, a rabbit pandemic struck. Highly infectious and a 90 percent or more mortality rate, we could no longer take the rabbits outside. Once the heat of a Texas summer came along, we no longer went outside.

So we sit at home, until we can get a vaccine for the rabbit pandemic and the weather cools down. I can tell the rabbits miss the park, but someday soon, we can all go out again. Thanks for reading.

There are four humans and four bunnies, living in this home. There is constant noise; I just noticed because as I sat down to write this blog post, I decided that I wanted absolute quiet.

During the day, that’s impossible.

I have two children who love to watch funny videos or game. The laundry is going, an air filter is on, a fan is blowing, and the dishwasher is cleaning dishes.

I just realized: It’s pretty loud in here.

At night, I don’t like the quiet. I like to listen to music or documentaries. We share a room with the rabbits, so I can better keep an eye on their health and cages.

Four little fluffies, listening to noise 24 hours a day.

My goodness! What if I had large ears, and had to listen to all this racket, only three times as loud? I would go completely out of my mind.

Yet they take long naps, rest, hop around and act normal to me. They seem to be used to all of the noise that makes home, home.

I’m glad they are so happy. But I think I will try and make things a bit quieter. At least for a few hours a day. Thanks for reading.

I have four bunnies. I used to have six. Two of them passed away within 13 months of each other, and no one is over it.

Still, we have four adorable, independent rabbits, all with their own habits and personalities. We even give them their own voices.

Three rabbits have accents – bad ones. Rainbow, our first-ever bunny, has a French accent. He can be dramatic, sassy and only craves the finer things in life. Deep down, he loves with a full heart and just wants to be loved in return. On his own terms.

George is his bonded bunny friend. George has a Scottish accent. I have just assigned this accent to George. George is a large and slender, rather like the strong and silent type. He used to be a fierce individualist, but after years of being on his own, I knew that he was lonely. I was finally able to pair him up with Rainbow without fighting and they have been roomies ever since. George has grown softer, more gentle and very affectionate.

Next, we have Mocha. Mocha has the voice of a small child. He’s the baby of the family, the spoiled baby. He will be 2 years old next month. He’s skittish, shy and stressed! But boy does he love treats and petting. He’s a super snuggler. He is so loved, and he knows it.

Last, but not least, we have Mocha’s housemate, Theodore. Theodore came to us last year, but he’s the oldest, turning 5 next month. He’s distinguished, proper, sophisticated – so we gave him a British accent.

Fred and Pat are no more, but they are still very much a part of the family.

This is our little bunny family. Life is quiet with the pandemic, but we manage to have fun too. Thanks for reading.