Yeah. Animal torture.

A great dilemma of mine.

The whole thing started up when my kids met their friend from school, when we had a walk around our neighborhood the other day, and she held a tiny little bunny in her hands. The bunny was the cutest, but the most defenseless little thing I have ever seen in my life.

She got her for Easter. She is supposed to take care of her. As it is warm enough during daytime, the bunny gets to stay in her cage outside, while she is at school. After that she is carried around until bedtime.

I could sense the anxiousness of my kids on the way home until it came:

They want an Easter-Bunny too! Actually two bunnies, a girl and a boy (imagine my mop here).

Mommy! Please! Please! Please! Mommy! Mommy! Please! Mommy! Mommy! Mommyyyy! Pleeeeease!

Oh boy! Normally I would say no. But I said that I would think about it first.

I drove to a rabbit farm yesterday, I just wanted to talk to someone who knew more about rabbits, than I do. They had hundreds of little bunnies, most of them around 5-6 weeks of age.

As I talked to the owner, I realized a hint of sadness on her face. I asked her about the possibility of “renting” some bunnies, I was not sure that I would want to take care of them when they get huge and old. She told me that she does not favor the idea of rabbit-rental, as the bunnies usually (eventually) die shortly after they are returned.

Die? Why?

Yeah, these little bunnies are usually cuddled to death by young children. Dropping them is very usual cause of injury as well.

Oh. My. I am not going to take any creature to a sure decease, even if it is unintentional.

So I left the farm quietly, almost guiltily about what I was just about to do.

No, my children are NOT going to get any Easter bunnies.

But I might take them to the farm to see them and to talk to the owner too. I think this is a good idea, although I believe that I can surely count with their frustration at first.

 

How do you feel about this Easter phenomenal of buying home bunnies for the kids? Do you do it? If yes, what do you do with them after your kids are fed up with them?