Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing a cute flowered dress,
donning a fancy hat or laying eggs? Well, I haven’t, yet Easter seems to have
some strange connection to these cuddly and adorable creatures.
Easter has
customs with very ancient and nearly universal origins, yet I was confused as
to why rabbits are of any significance with this Holiday. My search into the
history of why rabbits are thought to make great Easter gifts led me to
computer web sites, the local library and a clergyman. One thought was that the
hare signifies fertility, which leads to spring, another had something to do
with the lunar aspect of the moon and yet another claims that artists used
hares or rabbits in their Easter art work, stories and fables. Yet none of
these sources gave me the answer to my question, why are rabbits given as
Easter gifts?
It seems today,
there is not much cultural awareness in regards to the origins of these once
popular myths, so marketing has taken over where tradition once stood.
The domesticated
house rabbit are usually purchased from a breeder or pet store, given as a
harmless, soft, fun loving gift for a child to hold, carry and cuddle, much
like a stuffed toy. What the new pet parent doesn’t know it that Thumper and
Bugs are actually frightened bundles of nervous energy that can scratch and
bite when restrained.
The average
rabbit can live up to or over ten years. There are many varieties to choose from
with sizes ranging from about three to fifteen pounds. They are very social
creatures
and thrive on attention. They like to romp, play, dig, chew
and don’t live on carrots alone. These prolific animals need a well balanced
diet of pellets, fresh hay, as well as certain vitamins and minerals.
It seems as if
these impulse purchased pets are showered with attention for a few weeks then
virtually forgotten about in an outdoor pen to live a life of solitary
confinement with an occasional rub of the ears. There are also people who think
that rabbits can survive like their ancestors, the wild hare, and once their
novelty has worn off, cast these timid fur balls into the woods or parks,
expecting them to fend for themselves. In the urban wild, life expectancy or
these released pets can be very short. They cannot forage for food like their
ancient relatives, and dogs, cats, cars and other hazards can cause a quick
demise.
This is not to
say that some bunny parents don’t love and adore their sensitive, intelligent,
social companions, but they know the responsibility and commitment that it
takes to care for their furry little friends. If you want to read about proper
bunny parenting, check out 3 Bunnies Rabbit Rescue. http://www.3bunnies.org/
So with Easter fast approaching and the children pleading
for a cute floppy, lopped, long eared bunny, ask yourself this question, why
are rabbits given as Easter gifts?
