Lessons in Rabbit (and Human) Taming.

Tonight was a major breakthrough with Skip. I mean major.

This may not seem huge to you dog and cat owners but keep in mind I have a prey animal as a pet. Skip jumped up on the couch too many times to number while I was sitting on it, working on my grad work. One time, he speed ran down the hallway, took an abrupt turn to the right, jumped on the couch, and slid into my knee. Pretty awesome.

I think he likes me. He HAS to like me, right? I mean, what does a rabbit get out of jumping on the couch so much except to hang out with me? Bonding is happening... and what is funny is that I was reading up on childhood attachment while sitting on the couch this whole time. Skip is confirmed in a secure attachment to his caregiver (me).

And now, before I go to bed, my mind is swimming with a ton of thoughts about all of this. I'm remembering all the efforts I've gone through to help Skip feel safe with me...
1. over a year of tactics for litter box training, learning when to come to his cage training, and overcoming anxiety training
2. much more time than is healthy in forcing Skip to be near me so he can get used to humans (this included bunny attacks, growling, and the likes)
3. lots of reading on rabbit behavior and trying to act like a rabbit to communicate with Skip and become his rabbit friend

Was it worth it? You bet... and he's not even my child. I was so happy to see him conquer his fears because it allowed him to finally "feel" attached to me and this made me happy but mainly because I knew it made him happy.

Theological implications? more than I can think of at 10:17pm. But one comes to mind. God works painstakingly, lovingly, and mercifully to bring me out of my isolated fear state where I fight, defend, and run away from all the lovely things I should be nearing. One day, I will lay down arms and come near what all along was my security, though I didn't believe it. And God, well, he is indeed happy over the nearness of me but also happy that (the anxiety battle being over) I am happy being near him. For a girl whose major life struggles almost entirely revolve around fear, it was a pleasant evening being happy to be near the rabbit who is most happy being near me. I felt proud of him. And I felt satisfied in the work I'd done.

Let's congratulate Skip on moving towards all things good and trusting that what is trustworthy is trustworthy.