Bunny is enjoying the good life

And now for something really important:

How’s Bunny?

Bunny is great. Bunny is happy. Bunny is playful. Bunny chews my pens, so she’s on the JWC Editorial Board.

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Wednesday was one year since I brought Bunny home from the Citrus County Animal Shelter. It had been 12 months since I rescued Buddy and six months since his passing, so I had to make a call to either bring home a Buddy II or put his crate away for good.

Bunny — the name I chose because Buddy II doesn’t work for a girl — adapted well. She was about 3 years old, potty-trained, and she took to Buddy’s bed and crate right away.

We’ve slowly bonded over the past year, and especially since moving into World Headquarters III. This property is wide open with zero humans, and our twice-a-day walks are the highlights of my week.

While I walk Bunny on a leash, I’d like for her to enjoy the open spaces. So, Bunny’s Christmas gift this year (don’t tell her) is one of those GPS fence/collars. Since the internet can read minds, my Facebook feed is filled with ads for these things.

And before I go further, a shoutout to Deven and Teagan Mattingly at Model Canine. My biggest Bunny fear, other than her running off and getting lost, is leaving her in the care of someone who I don’t totally trust.

A few weeks back, I asked readers for suggestions. I had to take a Thanksgiving trip to Michigan; I’d be gone for a week. What to do with Bunny?

Now. I have a basic rule that says if I’m seeking advice on the blog and a local business drops into the conversation, there’s a good chance I’ll be dropping by. That’s what I did and instantly knew this was Bunny’s home away from home.

The Mattingly family cares for Bunny like she’s their own. I can just tell. God answered a prayer. Simple as that.

So, for her 1-year anniversary as the Just Wright Citrus blog hound, I present the Bunny photo page.

​Bunny is JWC through and through. She’ll stretch out on the cow rug while I write, or sit next to me while I mindlessly scratch behind her ears in thought.

She follows me everywhere. It dawned on me one day: This dog just enjoys my presence.

Adopting a shelter pet comes with risks and mystery. Who knows what kind of love she received, if any, prior to becoming a stray? Bunny is timid and shy, yet playful at the same time. I really enjoy her personality.

I’m one of those dog people. You know…we share the house, that kind of thing. I’m perfectly OK with Bunny on the furniture. I can identify with the commercial where the guy kicks his date out because she made fun of his attention to the dog.

Nope, I don’t live here with my dog. Bunny and I live here together.

More than anything, Bunny is an enormous source of comfort. Grief is tough on us both. I can be happy one minute and having a breakdown the next.

How does the dog handle all that variety of emotions from her owner? With doggy grace, that’s how. Along with staying close through the day, she’s now snuggling up to me on the couch for evening TV. Does she sense my sadness? Or does she simply see a human pillow?

Regardless of her motives, it’s comforting.

We’re tight, this dog and me. Especially now.

Scratch your best friend behind the ear today. And enjoy it, friends.

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