I haven’t seen the Disney movie Bambi in years but I may have to rent it soon. And I will probably cry all the way through it because of Thumper. I think one of Thumper’s most famous quotes in that movie is, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.” He was also pretty wise for a bunny rabbit. He was the cutest cartoon character; so loveable, so adorable, so stinkin’ cute!
Thumper was brave, really brave. We found him yesterday at the end of our driveway. The Sweetheart almost ran over him but decided to get out and inspect the dark little bundle curled up at the edge of the yard. He at first thought it was a mouse because he was so tiny but upon further inspection, he realized what he had discovered.
Thumper, the tiny bunny rabbit, couldn’t have been more than a day old; he had small puncture wounds under his left ear and left hind leg. Later in the day we would discover the empty nest and the black cat lurking by who had likely taken the rest of the family.
Luckily for us, middle son Kristopher, the RN in the family, was visiting for the weekend. He is also a lover of animals of all shapes and sizes. What I didn’t realize is how this small little mammal would capture our hearts so quickly.
We brought him in and immediately found an eye dropper and warmed up some milk, and began searching the internet for any information on how to care for a “kit”, as they are referred to in their infancy. We learned they needed a heating pad for warmth, and that kitten’s milk would be the best. Kristopher cleaned his wounds and fed him some milk we had on hand; we got him settled in a box with his heating pad. But he was still pretty lifeless, so off we go to get the right kind of milk, just to make sure this little guy doesn’t go the way of his siblings.
All day long we tended to his needs, huddled around the cardboard box as if the world had stopped for this one little creature. He had to make it! We called the veterinarian; yes, we called the veterinarian on a Friday night! She told us that, in most cases, they do not survive without their mother but she would continue to doctor him exactly as we were doing. Keep him warm; feed him every three hours. He would probably even show signs of improvement but not to expect a miracle.
At his 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. feedings he was like a different bunny rabbit! He was moving around in the box, rooting under his blanket and really going after his milk. We were ecstatic, we talked to him like we were feeding a baby. Good thing nobody was watching, we were probably making fools of ourselves but we didn’t care, Thumper was going to make it and we were saving him! I felt like Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman!
You can see our first feeding attempt on video by clicking the link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxbwND3hzyE
At the 4:30 a.m. feeding I got up to check on Kristopher and we saw Thumper wasn’t doing so well. He didn’t want to take his milk, his breathing was labored and we were very worried. We were all gathered around the box again. Kristopher had him all cocooned in his hand with his blankets to keep him warm, he was lifeless, but kept opening and closing his mouth, and we realized he was gasping for air. We had prayed for this rabbit, you would have too! My heart was breaking for one of God’s little ones who had suffered under the hands of another so cruelly, it just didn’t seem fair. I was so hoping we could save him; but it just wasn’t meant to be.
At 5:30 a.m., almost exactly twelve hours after we brought him in from the cold, Thumper quietly slipped away. Our hearts were broken. How can you fall in love with such a pitiful looking little guy in such a short time? He fought hard, we fought hard, but it seemed we all had lost.
I’ve thought about it all day, Thumper, maybe you are better off. It’s a scary world for such a little guy. Even though I couldn’t understand why we lost this battle, I was wonderfully reminded how blessed we were to get to spend twelve hours close up with one of God’s special newborn creations. We were able to feed him, hold him, and try our best to breathe life back into him. For that I am grateful, because it taught me so much in that short time. Lord, help me to take the time to LOVE, even when I think it might not be worth the effort. Thumper was worth it.
I think he said it best, “Being brave is easy. All you got to do is be scarier than what is scaring you!”
Goodbye Thumper, you will be missed…
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I have exciting news to share! Hope in the Healing debuted just a little over eight weeks ago and I am so thankful for all of you that have encouraged and supported me to keep writing. I started the blog as an avenue to share faith and the love of God, give hope and encouragement to those that are suffering and hurting and hopefully even provide some laughs and chuckles along the way.
