Volume 4, Issue 3 - August 2004

Bea and the Bunnies Move South
by Bea LeNoir (VanHorn)

Life has a way of changing when you least expect it. So it was that I found myself traveling across country with six of my bunnies. Even though I felt that I had thought of everything . . . I knew something would come up that I wasn’t prepared for. Driving 1,902 miles with six special needs bunnies? All my non-bunny friends and relatives were laughing secretly behind my back. Okay, I didn’t blame them.

I took Kirby, my French lop, with me to the car dealership to pick out a comfortable ride. He chose a mini-van, which turned out to be perfect, once I took the seats out and sent them ahead with the movers. He was especially attracted to all the air conditioning vents in the back. Obviously, he figured out early that we were moving to a warm, humid climate. Make that hot and humid. We’re talking instant shed factor.

I prepared the back of the van with litter boxes, plenty of food bowls, a tube for hiding and all sorts of homey conveniences. I packed a cooler full of veggies and medicines for the journey. By the time I had the mobile bunny lodge set up, it was clear that there was no room for my suitcase or laptop, but the bunns were comfortable.

I was a bit nervous about how my head tilt bunnies would do on such a long trip. We stopped often, and Kirby was a hit at all the rest stops. The bunnies could eat and drink at the rest stops without any problem. When the car was moving, most slept – except Nigel. Those of you who have met Nigel won’t be surprised that he considered the whole journey a marvelous adventure. He never once stopped zooming around in the back of the mini-van.

Motel 6 left the lights on for us and they were wonderful. They gave me the handicap accommodations so that I could park in front of the room to load and unload easily. The bathrooms were nice and large for the bunnies to relax in. The first night they acted like rock stars . . . I would have to say they pretty much trashed the place! It was a good thing I had a broom and dust pan. The second night they seemed weary, and didn’t make such a mess.

We made it to Florida on the third day, and suddenly they realized the heat and humidity was not exactly to their liking. Let the shedding begin!!! If I thought life in Colorado was furry, I now have a whole new concept of flying fur. Especially with ceiling fans going all the time (an absolute necessity).

As you can see, Kirby has found his own way of adapting to the “sunshine state." We have made it to our new home. We are going to take one day at a time and enjoy life and family as best we can. The bunns once again reside in my home office, and I’m grateful to spend each day in their company. Life is pretty good in the slow lane.