Even though it was rather chilly and drizzly, Samantha and her pet dog, Tonks, chose to uphold the tradition and prepared for a stroll in the community park.
As soon as they exited the vehicle and departed the parking area, a gray, fluffy animal caught their attention at the entrance. Even from afar, it was evident that the small creature was shivering from the cold and inclement weather.
Samantha had a suspicion regarding what type of animal it could be, but she wasn’t completely certain until they approached a bit closer.
Fluffy Head Was So Lost
Samantha and her canine companion cautiously approached the small creature. As they got within a reasonable range, everything became apparent to her.
“When I first spotted her, I realized she wasn’t a wild rabbit right away, but I initially thought she could be a tiny groundhog,” Samantha shared with The Dodo. “Her shape and movements didn’t match that of a wild rabbit. When I got nearer to her, I noticed the floppy ears and the fact that she didn’t flee or appear to be afraid of us at all, which clarified everything for me.”
It was a frightened bunny, whom they later named Fig Newton, clearly indicating that she had been abandoned in the park. Samantha was aware that the bunny didn’t belong there and that immediate action was needed to assist her.
She sprang into action – moving Tonks a safe distance away and getting her settled, then commencing her mission.
Her Friend Had To Step In
Even though everything suggested that Fig required assistance, the rescue effort proved to be anything but straightforward.
“She allowed me to get about 10 feet away before she would hop a few yards away to maintain the distance,” Samantha recounted. “I proceeded more slowly and was able to get within arm’s reach, but as I stretched out my hand towards her, she dashed into the forest. I lost sight of her and felt disheartened, thinking I might have messed things up, so I called Rachael, my friend who has rabbits herself. I was moving away from the bunny, going up the path toward Tonks when I saw she had re-emerged from the woods and had begun to trail after me up the path. It was evident that she wanted to be rescued and didn’t wish to be abandoned out there. So I gradually moved back and closed the distance again.”
While waiting for her friend to arrive, Samantha made every effort to earn the trust of the adorable little bunny. Despite the damp ground from the heavy rainfall earlier that day, Samantha opted to sit down close to Fig.
This proved to be a wise choice as the bunny gradually began to hop toward her would-be rescuer. Being calm and lower to the ground seemed to help Fig feel more at ease.
At that moment, Samantha was confident that the mission would end in success, eagerly awaiting her friend Rachael’s arrival, which was soon to happen. When Rachael appeared, this “rabbit expert” understood that she couldn’t come empty-handed, so she brought along some goodies for Fig.
Fig was in the rabbit carrier in no time.
“Once she was in the carrier, we provided her with rabbit grain pellets and some fresh rabbit-safe greens, and she appeared quite relaxed and happy,” Samantha joyfully concluded.
They Fell In Love With Each Other
Immediately after rescuing her, Samantha brought Fig to the veterinarian. There, it was discovered that the bunny was a bit dirty and tangled, underweight, and had overgrown nails, but everything else appeared to be fine.
The initial plan was for Samantha to take Fig home as a temporary foster where her friend, Rachael, would assist her in learning all about rabbit care. Following that, she considered transporting her to a rescue to find a permanent home.
Everything unfolded as intended except for the final part. Specifically, during the time they shared, Samantha and Fig developed a bond and fell in love, leading Samantha to decide that Fig would remain in her home forever.
“Rachael taught me a great deal about rabbit care in a brief time, and I realized I could provide the necessary care she required,” Samantha stated.
From a trembling bunny left alone in the rain, Fig flourished into a fluffy ball that exuded joy at finally being where she belonged.
It was a blissful conclusion in every sense of the term.