The small brown bunnys heart pattered against the palm of my hand as I clutched to to my chest. So small and so quick the fluttering- reminded me of when I held my pet bird as it lay dying. That same connection of a beat, the softness of its fur, and delicate paws wriggling to try to find freedom. Or maybe when I'd pet the shrew burrowing through the grass in my yard-- tho that had been much faster. Shhhh and a small peck on its head between the ears, as if it were my own child. As if it could feel my compassion through its fur and sinew.
Please calm down. I'll put you somewhere safe. Just wait. It wriggled as if in half-hearted agreement- just a moment more to wait while our dog snuffles its tiny perfect ears. And wispy layers of soft rabbit fur - a perfect miniature of possibility. I found our brush pile and tucked in the baby bunny, blending into grass and leaves, protected.
Letting go a seemingly fragile wild animal is hard. My mind goes to all the scenarios with gloomy end, but hope winnows them down. He's gotten along this far, maybe this bunny is ment to be. I walk away and hope he lives to run another day.
