A Call to Action

Freckles:

I thought about the barrier to my Other World cave. I hadn’t seen it being built, but I had certainly heard it happening as I lay safely in my Home Place. The sounds from the Other World were those of shifting objects and a scraping that could only have been the barrier moving into place. But, I hadn’t seen who had built the barrier. It could have been the creature who had thumped at me, the one I’d beaten with my superior thumping.

Suddenly, it dawned on me that I had been missing an important clue. The creature hadn’t been the only one in the Other World besides me. The high-voiced one had been there! I’ll bet it had built the barrier that was keeping me out of my safe refuge. I’ll bet it was laughing and feeling so proud of itself that it had foiled me in my attempt to dig my burrow. But, what could I do?

It took me only a moment to decide on a course of action. I stood and stretched, making my body as long as possible. I rose high on my back legs and stared directly into the high-voiced one’s eyes.

Freckles Reflects

Deb:

I wonder what rabbits think about when they are sprawled out and staring. Are they reflecting on their activities and wondering about the purpose and meaning of life? Are they thinking great philosophical thoughts? Are they planning their next meal?

Whatever Freckles was thinking about that day, she did so for a very long time. Nothing on her body moved except her nose and her ears, which occasionally shifted in response to some sound in the house. Finally, she seemed to make up her mind. She stood, stretched, and looked directly into my eyes.

Not a Flaw to be Found

Freckles:

No matter how hard I looked I couldn’t locate a flaw in the barrier. When I did discover a place where the layer was thin, I could see that behind it stood yet another layer blocking my way. It was hopeless. The inner sanctum where I’d felt so safe and protected, where I’d planned to dig my burrow, where the strange fluffy ground was just beginning to give way under my diligent scratching, was no longer open to me.

I’d need another plan. I stretched out near the cave to brainstorm my options.

Remembering Littles

In Memoriam

Littles

Our dear friend Littles passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 of natural causes. Littles, a seven-year old dwarf rabbit who looked like a gray-speckled mini version of Freckles, was a terrific companion to Nathan, Brent, Mani, William, and Mana.

Littles loved special treats, teasing his puppy pal Scramble, running in circles around your feet, receiving nose rubs, and staring at Nice Guy when he visited. Littles lived a happy life and was loved.

Littles, you will be missed!

When you finish reading this, please give your own bunny a special treat and an extra nose rub. If you don't have a bunny, why not consider adopting one? Littles would have approved! (And Freckles thinks it's a great idea too!)

(We're taking time out from our regular story to pay tribute to our little friend. We'll return with the next installment of The Adventures of Freckles and Deb, Bunny Bloggers tomorrow.)

The Barrier Holds

Deb:

Freckles worked her way down the front of the couch, poking the blankets that barred her entrance. I held my breath, hoping on one hand that she wouldn’t find an area to enter and thus my carpet would be safe, yet on the other hand I was kind of hoping she would discover a weak spot and show the world how clever she was.

When she reached the end of the couch, she plopped down in resignation. She seemed to be contemplating her next move.

There Must Be A Way In!

Freckles:

I stopped a short distance from the cave. The barrier blocked the entrance and looked stronger than before. I listened and sniffed for danger. All seemed clear. I stretched to see if I could reach the cave without hopping. It was too far. After two large hops, I nudged the barrier. I couldn’t detect any weak spots. I couldn’t see a way into the safety of the cavern. I checked the rest of the opening, poking each area in turn. There had to be a way into the inner sanctum of safety. If there was a vulnerable breach, I would discover it. I remained determined that the cave would once again be mine!

A Brave Bunny Never Gives Up

Deb:

Freckles hopped towards the couch, taking her sweet time -- almost as though she were out for a Sunday stroll. When she reached the end of the coffee table, she stopped and stared at the newly reinforced barrier of blankets I had built under the couch. She sniffed, her little nose wiggling furiously. She stretched her body forward and then took two hops, stopping at the edge of the couch. She nosed the blankets, testing to see if there were any weaknesses in the barrier.

I held my breath...

The Glare-Stare

Freckles:

Big Guy rubbed my nose with its paw. It seems to like enjoy doing that and the feeling is pleasant, so I let it happen. Plopping beside its giant feets, I rested, contemplating my next move.

The high-voiced one made the usual noises that punctured my ears, so I glared at it, hoping it would stop. Finally, it did. I knew my glare-stare could do it!

After a while I grew bored and decided to explore the surroundings to see if my cave was still blocked. I stood, stretched, and journeyed towards my destination.

A Cozy Night In the Other World

Deb:

Freckles entered the living room. Actually, she kind of flew through the hallway and landed directly in front of my husband, gazing up at him expectantly. He reached down and rubbed her nose. She settled down in her spot beside his reclining chair and glared in my direction.

I peeked around the newspaper at her. Her ears pointed in my direction, so I spoke to her in my most soothing voice. She stretched out beside the chair, relaxing for a good hour. Then, as if suddenly remembering the earlier couch experience, she jumped up and hopped slowly toward the couch.

Returning to the Other World

Freckles:

Sitting under my tree in my Home Place, I kept my ears pointed toward the Portal into the Other World. Finally, I heard the sound I had been listening for – first the rustling noise that comes just before the low-toned sound that Big Guy makes. I jumped to my feet and edged toward the entryway, listening once more. Again, I heard the rustling noise and Big Guy. Leaping as high as I could, I sped down the tunnel and into the large clearing, landing directly in front of Big Guy’s giant feet.

Freckles Gives In

Deb:

Freckles didn’t come out all that day, and she never touched the treats I'd left for her.

After my husband and I finished dinner in the evening, we retired to the living room for some television, conversation, and newspaper reading. I gave the newspaper an extra shake each time I turned the pages. In the past the rattling of the newspaper provided a signal for Freckles to run to the living room. I hoped that it would do the trick tonight. I'd just opened the life section of the paper when I detected a movement out of the corner of my eye. The object streaking through the room bore the same colors as the newspaper, but had a much rounder shape.

Temptations

Freckles:

Determined to remain in my Home Place, a safe shelter from the creatures of the Other World, I rested under my favorite large tree. It wasn’t long before the high-voiced one brought me an offering of soft pointy leaves and yellow flowers. Could I trust it? Were these luscious treats presented in friendship or were they a poisonous trap? I decided to contemplate the possibilities before rushing to judgment. It was making those ear-splitting sounds again – hard to think with all that racket going on.

My nose detected the delicious smells of sweet treats coming from just beyond the Portal into the Other World. I would not be tempted to compete in battle again until I was ready. Sweet treats or not, I would not be tempted!

Coaxing Freckles

Deb:

Freckles didn’t come out of her room that day. I waited and waited, while trying to read my book, but lacked the attention to concentrate on the words. I crept down the hallway to see if she was okay. She lay in a meditative position under the desk in her room. Every time I checked on her she was in the same position. I worried that she might be sick.

I tried to coax her out with her favorite dandelion flowers, but she ignored my efforts. I rattled sacks; I spoke to her in my most soothing voice; I positioned her favorite fruit pieces just outside the door. But, nothing worked to tempt her from the room. I decided to wait for her to change her mind.

The Nightmare

Freckles:

I slept poorly in my Home Place. I dreamt of a colossal shaggy-haired beast who chased me around the Other World, thumping its gigantic feet and clapping its humongous paws. I scampered into the cave, but it found me, peering into the cave with its glowing yellow eyes.

Then, I felt the ground shaking, followed by a thunderous roar as the cave shifted from side to side. I closed my eyes and held on to the ground as tightly as I could, grabbing the fuzzy substance that covered it and digging my claws into its surface.

Suddenly, the shaking stopped and I woke up. I was confused and scared as I looked around my Home Place. Here I was safe; Here I would stay.

Layer on Layer

Deb:

Determined to keep Freckles from destroying my carpet, I stuffed another blanket and a few towels into the opening under the couch. I realized I needed several layers, so that when Freckles tugged on the outside layer, she would find another behind it. Maybe that would discourage her from entering. I hoped she would forget all about the couch and remain in the open where I could keep an eye on her.

When I was satisfied that I had built the barrier as strong as possible, I opened the door to her room and sat back to observe her reaction.

Freckles Renews Her Energy

Freckles:

I slept for a long while. Thumping battles take a lot out of a bunny. You have to remain alert throughout, planning strategy, straining to hear the slightest variation in the competitor’s thump. The strain on the nerves is intense, and you have to rest up afterwards in case there is a return challenge.

When I believed that the challenger would not return, I peeked through the small opening in the substance that covered the cave opening. The coast was clear. I yanked a portion of the strange material aside and jumped into the clearing, pausing for a moment to listen for danger. Finding none, I hopped down the tunnel to my Home Place.

Reinforcing the Barrier

Deb:

Freckles had been the last one to thump, but the digging had stopped, so I didn’t continue our competition. At least I had found a way to draw her attention away from the carpet.

Now, how was I going to keep her from going under the couch in the future? The layer of blankets hadn’t worked; she'd found an opening lickety split. I’d just have to find more blankets to reinforce the barrier before she entered the living room the next time.

She Who Thumps Last ...

Freckles:

I listened carefully, but didn’t hear a response after I’d thumped, so I resumed my digging. Maybe the other creature had fled, afraid to face me. The barrier at the entrance of the cave blocked any possibility of my spotting this intruder.

I froze when I heard another thump, this one as loud as the last. Without hesitation I thumped back. It’s important in these situations to reply as quickly as possible. She who thumps last wins! We continued the contest for several more thumps, after which the other creature must have gotten the hint and retreated. After a long period with no thumps from the enemy, I rejoiced. I’d thumped last! I’d won the battle!

The Thumping Contest

Deb:

Freckles thumped at me! I’d thumped first, of course, but she responded. We were having a conversation -- a thumping conversation. Maybe she'd recognized my frustration and would humor me by stopping her digging.

The pause lasted for only a few seconds however, and soon I could hear the scratching sounds emerge from under the couch. I thumped my foot. There was silence, and then, yes, there it was again -- Freckles thumped back.

I thumped.
She thumped.
I thumped.
She thumped.
It became a competition, but it kept her from digging!

Freckles Responds

Freckles:

The thunderous blast made me stop digging. What was this? Had a tree fallen? Was it another rabbit? I sniffed. No sign of storm clouds in the air. No sign of other rabbits in the vicinity. I hadn’t imagined it, of that I was sure. Something thumped louder than any thump I had ever heard. But, though I waited a long time, I didn’t hear it again. I decided to respond, just in case. Can’t have some other creature moving in on my cave! I thumped my foot.

Deb Thumps

Deb:

What was I going to do with Freckles? She was once again digging under the couch and seemed quite determined to excavate her hole. Telling her “no” had done no good. She’d stop for a moment and then return to her scratching at the carpet. I thought about squirting her with water. I’d heard that worked quite well for training cats.

Freckles handles frustration in a very direct way. When she doesn’t like something, she lets us know by thumping her foot. The action is so fast that, even when you’re watching her, you can’t always see the foot move. She’ll thump when she doesn’t like the food on her plate. She’ll thump when the door to her room isn’t open and she wants to come out. She thumped a lot when a friend stopped by with her little dog in tow. The dog’s curiosity and quick movements annoyed Freckles and she thumped (and grunted also -- more about grunting in a future post!)

On the off chance that I had discovered a way to reach Freckles and convey my own frustration at her behavior, I raised my foot and slammed my shoe onto the floor, creating quite an impressive “THUMP,” if I do say so myself.

Proud Freckles, Keep on Digging...

Freckles:

I’d made it! I was back in my sanctuary and feeling quite proud of my skill at finding a weakness in the strange wall that blocked the cave’s entrance. With my chest puffed proudly, I settled in to contemplate my next move.

It wasn’t long before I remembered my original plan to dig my burrow. The strange dirt had just begun to loosen when I was so rudely interrupted before. I searched for the spot and when I located it, I returned to the process of digging.

Back to the Digs

Deb:

Well, Freckles had entrenched herself under the couch once more. I decided not to push the point unless she started digging again. Her ability to find a way through the obstacle of the blankets astounded me. She’s a stubborn one, that’s for sure. I settled onto the couch and read my book.

It wasn’t long before I heard the sound I’d been dreading -- scratching; Freckles was at it again!

Freckles Succeeds

Freckles:

I hopped over to the large wide cave and surveyed the strange substance that blocked the entrance. I nibbled and poked, but recognition of the material eluded me. When I attempted to gnaw a hole in it, I heard the high-voiced one shout and I stopped. It tasted yucky anyway. Continuing my inspection, I spied a tiny crevice between the material and the roof of the cave. Noting that the material only blocked the entrance and didn’t extend into the whole cave, I thought a moment. If I could grab it, I might be able to pull it away from the opening. I searched for a weak point and finally found one. Opening my mouth, I seized the substance, and yanked. It gave way! Quickly I scooted through the hole.

Freckles Finds a Way

Deb:

Freckles sniffed at the blankets that had been stuffed into the space between the floor and the couch. She poked them with her nose at several spots, nibbling a section here and there. Maybe she figured she could chew her way through. When I said, “No,” she stopped, pausing as if in thought. Quick as a flash, she grabbed a portion of blanket in her mouth and tugged, opening a gap barely large enough for her to squeeze through. Before I could react, she shot under the couch.

Freckles Returns to the Scene

Freckles:

I waited long after the portal opened again. I hadn’t seen who’d made the opening, and I worried that the high-pitched one was trying to trick me. My curiosity got the better of me, however, and I soon succumbed to the call of the Other World.

Fresh treats awaited me -- soft pointy leaves with yellow flowers. Big Guy must have been here! He’s the one who always brings me my favorite treat. Suddenly, I hungered for the special bitter-sweet flavors and snatched a leaf, finishing it in a few short chews.

After I’d eaten my fill, I turned to survey the scene of the crime. My body shook with surprise at what I saw.

Discovering the Blockade

Deb:

After I’d sufficiently blocked the entrance to the couch with the blankets and sheets, throwing in a couple of towels for good measure, I opened Freckles’ door. She waited several hours before emerging from her room. When she did, she hopped to her plate and snatched the dandelions I'd placed there as my feeble attempt at apologizing for scaring her. After she’d devoured her favorite food, she looked over at the couch, noticing the new decorating addition. Slowly she approached, ears forward and alert.

Rethinking the Plan

Freckles:

From my new position at the other end of the cave, I noticed the high-pitched one checking out the location of my future burrow. I'd barely managed a small start on my work digging out the tunnel. I assumed it would be undoing my efforts. Well, I’d have to move the location anyway now that it had been discovered!

I waited as long as I could, and then I scooted down the passageway to my Home Place. After a quick drink from the water fountain, I disappeared into my big home cave. Hopefully, the high-pitched one wouldn’t move it too! I heard sounds coming from the Other World and wondered what it was up to now.

What Would Martha Stewart Do?

Deb:

I spied a hole in the carpet and some loose carpet fibers where Freckles had been scratching. The spot was only about an inch wide. I knew that a rabbit’s digging instinct is strong and the hole would only get bigger if Freckles continue to have acces to it.

Even though hiding under the couch is her favorite activity in the living room, I decided we’d have to ban her from the space. The question was, how? There was an 8” gap between the floor and the bottom of the couch. It was a definite case of WWMSD -- What would Martha Stewart do?

It wasn’t long before Freckles scurried out from under the couch and dashed down the hallway to her room. I quickly closed her door and grabbed some blankets and sheets from the hall closet. Returning to the living room, I stuffed the blankets all around the edges of the opening between the floor and couch. The style wasn’t going to win any decorating awards. But, if it kept Freckles from destroying my carpet, I would risk losing the opportunity to showcase my living room in House Beautiful Magazine.

What Magic is This?

Freckles:

The high-pitched one was after me! No longer feeling safe, I rushed to another part of the cave. What kind of wonder was this? I’d never heard of a cave that shifted position. Now, I saw the high-pitched one gazing at me from the newly-created opening in the cave. Its paw reached for me. Closer, ever closer. I scooted backwards out of its way. I considered biting it, but didn’t want to be poisoned. If it had the magic to move caves, what kind of magic might it use to prevent biting?

Playing Hide and Seek

Deb:

When I pulled out one end of the couch, Freckles ran to the other end. I stepped behind the couch and pushed it forward. She remained uncovered for only a second before she scooted into hiding again. At this rate I could move the couch across the room and she’d stay undercover all the way. I knelt down and saw her at the front of the couch. She was breathing hard, and I knew she was scared, so I tried talking soothingly to her. I extended my hand, but she kept scooting back out of my reach. I decided to survey the damage to the carpet and give her time to calm down.