Photo by Angela Kirk

The animal world doesn’t really discriminate. Out at the farm where Doc takes the patients for Equine assisted therapy there are two horses that are best friends. One of them just happens to be a miniature horse and the other a full size mare. The humans sometimes question this union, but obviously the horses don’t care, they just love each other.

There are many different parings between animals of different sizes and species that bond together. At the Columbus Zoo you can see a labrador retriever living with two cheetahs. They were raised together since they were babies and act like any siblings would with each other. It really is a magical thing to witness and a testament to how we can all learn to get along.

The beauty of being an animal is that we have no prejudice or judgment of each other. We either work it out or not. Acceptance is not based on ego, how much money we have, our species, or any other host of criteria that humans like to use. There is a wonderful sense of freedom in that. I think humans can miss out on enriching their lives by not getting to know people that are from different back grounds or cultures.

Doc read me a quote by a man named Tom Retterbush that sums it up beautifully; ” If animals of totally different species can get along, why can’t humans get along with others of our own species? We’re supposed to be the intelligent ones.”

Photo by Angela Kirk

Doc has been yakking all week about the nest of baby bunnies we found in our yard, but let me tell you my side of the story.

Last Thursday night Doc was mowing the lawn in the back yard. I was lounging on the porch watching her work when I noticed some movement in the mulch under the Maple tree. Every time I approached the tree, the mulch shifted.  I admit – it freaked me out at first.  So, I jumped back unsure of what evil might be emerging from the bowels of the earth. Suddenly, I saw a little furry head with two pointed ears pop up out of the ground. By that time, Doc was coming closer to the spot with the mower and I became frantic trying to warn her. After a few times of approaching her and running back to the baby rabbits, she finally stopped the mower to see what I was so upset about. When she spotted the baby bunnies the color drained from her face frightened she may have hurt one. Slowly she got down on her hands and knees and gently removed the mulch, grass and bunny fur covering the hole. Looking inside she counted 6 little bunnies all huddled together. After checking them out, she let out a sigh when she saw that they were not hurt. After she stood up,  she scanned the yard and said in a loud accusatory voice ” Where is your mother?” Thinking they might be abandoned she put away the mower, got on the internet and did what Doc always does, she researched the problem.

What she found out is that the mother rabbit only comes at dawn and dusk to feed the babies so that she does not attract potential prey to the nest. Doc also read that the babies will leave the nest after about 10 days. After pondering all that information, Doc knew what to do. She decided right then and there that we would co-parent the bunnies until they left the nest.

That evening we sat quietly looking out the window of the back door waiting for mama bunny to show up. And sure enough she came under the fence, squatted over the nest and all 6 little furry heads popped up to be nursed.

The next day the bunnies began exploring the world around them so every night Doc and I counted the bunnies right before dark to make sure they were tucked into bed safe and sound. I wouldn’t say we turned into bunny stalkers but we came very close.

This week when we got home from work, we went out to check on our bunnies and to our dismay, the nest was empty. Both Doc and I worried about those bunnies for the rest of the day. Then at about 9pm we got our answer. Doc happened to look outside, saw the mother come under our fence and all six little bunnies hopped in behind her from all different directions to be fed.

You can always count on nature to know just what to do. Mama bunny didn’t really need our help, but is was fun being a part of it all.

 Every Sunday night Doc and I cuddle in bed to watch one of our favorite shows, “Parts Unknown”  starring Anthony Bourdain.  We loved how every week he introduced us to different food, culture and social issues.  He connected with others through his transparency, adventurous spirit and great curiosity. That’s why it was so shocking when I heard Doc gasp as she read the news on-line that he apparently hanged himself. Earlier in the week designer Kate Spade committed suicide by hanging as well. On the outside both of theses celebrities appeared like they had everything. It just goes to show that you never know what demons people wrestle with deep in their souls. Sadly, Anthony and Kate are not the only ones, as by the time you finish this blog another person will have taken their own life.

In 2016 there were 44,965 recorded suicides in the United States having increased 24% between 1999 and 2014. ( CDC’S National Center for Health Statistics) Suicide has become a major national public health issue. It is the 10th leading cause of death overall.

In Doc’s many years counseling others she has talked to those wanting to kill themselves along with the families of those that have lost loved ones to suicide.  It is always heart wrenching. People’s pain is not always visible on the surface and often they hide their feelings frightened they will be judged or shamed. If there is a lesson from these most recent losses it is this; humans suffer painful experiences and we need to support each other through these times with unconditional love and compassion for each other.

If you are thinking about suicide or someone you love needs emotional support call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at (1-800-273-8255).