I finally joined the site after reading and enjoying since January!  I adopted Kelsey from a NYC shelter…..he’d been there more than 90 days (it was over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years–tough time for adopting at the shelter).

Many, many years ago, a friend entrusted me to watch her rabbit while she went on vacation to Africa, for a safari.  Imagine my surprise when I received a postcard saying that she’d fallen for her tour guide and planned to stay IN AFRICA!!  Permanently!!!  My pet-sitting duties turned into a full time bunny owner.  I loved her little ginger dwarf, named Feffer, and he lived with me for 5 years (he was 4 when I got him).  Feffer had a stroke and had to be put down.  After that, I began a career as a flight attendant and I knew good and well that I could never provide a stable home for any pet.

Fast forward nearly 15 years.  My parents had a labrador retriever who was diagnosed with cancer.  When the disease became debillitating, my parents put the dog to sleep and my mom (especially) was heartbroken.  I waited about a month and began to float the idea of adoption.  My parents have a great home with lots of property and I took every opportunity to remind them that on Long Island there are too many dogs who live in shelters and who need exactly what my parents could easily give.  A few months after my almost-daily sermons, sure enough—-they adopted a King Charles Cavalier from a LI shelter and have never been happier.  But now the shoe was on the other foot—–my mom took great delight in pointing out that I was no longer flying, by choice, and that I had time and resources to adopt a pet myself.

A rabbit is an ideal NYC pet—quiet, clean, litterbox trained.  My mind started wandering and memories of Feffer came back.  He was a terrific little guy.  So one January night, during a blizzard, I went to petfinder….in search of a rabbit who needed a good home.  I came upon the SADDEST photo I have ever seen—the profile of a bunny (like a mugshot) and he was facing a WALL.  Awwwwww.

The shelter is only open to the public on Saturday and Sunday so I emailed and made arrangements to see this small guy named “Kelsey.”  As soon as I entered the rabbit area of the shelter, I was seated on the floor of a pen to make Kelsey’s acquaintance.  Kelsey approached me, began kissing my jeans, plopped himself in my lap, and started to softly grind his teeth and purr.  I was in LOVE!  This bunny, who had been abandoned, greeted me with so much affection.

An hour and a half later, Kelsey and I were in the back of a town car and headed to my apartment.  NOW…….I can barely remember my life without him!  Kelsey is a NYC guy, through and through…..I carry him (like a football—-no sissy carrying cages for my macho guy!) through the streets of Manhattan.  Kelsey is known throughout our neighborhood (he scores free bananas and pears from the local delicatessan).  He has *the* sweetest disposition ever….he’s all kisses and cuddles.  Shop owners often ask my doormen and other residents of my building, “How’s Kelsey?”  He’s famous.

VERY rarely will Kelsey thump his feet—-just about the only time is when a big rain/ hail/ or snow storm is approaching….he thinks he is warning “the tribe,” and for that alone, I call him the “teeniest, tiniest weatherman.”  I generally catch The Weather Channel, but Kelsey likes to be heard on meteorological matters and I take his counsel to heart!

“The K Man” and I are inseparable.  He showers me with a million kisses.   He’s not food aggressive at all, but he is “food interested.”  I often joke that he would trade me for a few bunches of DILL….that’s his all-time favorite!  He’s a healthy eater who has rejected pellets, but he is well fed with greens and organic hay from a great place on the Lower East Side.  It’s a joy for me to feed Kelsey because he enjoys (and seems to appreciate) what’s on the menu.  His coat is so much shinier now than the day I brought him home.  He’s thriving.

My parents, who long ago gave up on the hopes of having a grandchild due to my successful flying career, now refer to Kelsey as “the grand-bunny.”  He is so loved by everyone!!  A bad day is so much  better with Kelsey in my life and a good day wouldn’t be complete without him!!  Kelsey has a favorite “trick.”  I kiss him on the cheek and then he kisses ME on the cheek.

It’s nice to find such a kind-hearted and knowledgable community.  I truly appreciate all who contribute here and I have learned so much…so thank you for helping me to give Kelsey the best home I possibly can give.  We have a great vet and the volunteers from the shelter regularly check in…so we have support, but it’s so nice to read the stories here and marvel at the kind-hearted people who feel just the same about their pets as I do about Kelsey.