The Boy from NYC

[with love-- kelsey]

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.

 

 

[with love-- kelsey]

This was Kelsey’s online “mugshot.”

[Sarita]

What a great story and K-Man is so lucky to have found you and become the perfect celebrity bun. He’s adorable and welcome to you.

[Stickerbunny]

Awww, he’s such a cutie – sounds like you two have a great bond and he is grateful for being rescued

[SugarbearNPepper]

Such an awesome story! Welcomet to the both of you…

[Beka27]

What a pretty boy and what a heart-warming story! Welcome here!

[LoveChaCha]

It is a Chacha bun.. boy. *head explodes*

What a great story Some of my customers will ask me how my bunny is doing

[TriBun]

 What a sweet little guy.  It always makes me wonder how these amazing animals end up in shelters when they are so great.  It sounds like a match made in heaven. Welcome!

[Arthur'sMom]

Awww. What a great story. Sounds like a total lovebug! Welcome.

[brittbritt]

He is so handsome. I also thought he was a male Cha Cha bun. So glad you two met and fell in love with each other.

[mocha200]

That’s such a nice story and such a cute little bunny!

Welcome to BB! Can’t wait to get to know you and your bun bun more!

[Zombie-Sue]

that’s a very precious story x)

[with love-- kelsey]

I always joke about Kelsey’s celebrity—I swear people stop us in the street for photos and his tee shirt (LOCAL CELEBRITY) is a huge hit….

A few weeks ago, I brought him up to Petco because on the weekends, the shelter rabbit volunteers host an adoption center and Kelsey kisses all the volunteers and seems so happy to visit. One of the volunteers said, “Gosh—I’d always wondered what happened to him…..he was in the shelter for such a long time. Did you see him on tv?”

“TV,” I asked???? Oh sure—she told me. There was a segment on Good Morning America, about pets who only wanted a new home for Christmas. Kelsey was bussed over to the GMA studio and he was on tv.

LOL!!!! I don’t watch morning tv shows, but am I surprised that Kelsey is a star? Of course not!!!

Now, I may exaggerate his tv credits (I “may” tell people he co-starred with Diane Sawyer and perhaps I have said that he co- anchored the International news desk)!!!

I’m not sure why no one adopted the little guy sooner—especially after his national exposure and his wish for a new home for Christmas?? I adopted him on January 28th so…it might seem his wish didn’t exactly come true….but I know he’s happy here and I am so grateful he was still available.

And–for anyone who has seen the resemblance—YES!!! he is the male version of ChaCha!! We have been looking at her online photos for 8 months now….they are identical!

[with love-- kelsey]

PS—-how did Kelsey end up in a shelter? SAD STORY!

I do not know Kelsey’s former family, but I do know what happened. Kelsey was clearly loved and adored. I have yet to feed him a green or an herb that he doesn’t already seem to know. His disposition belies the great upbringing he had.

In November, a landlord entered a NYC apartment to make an emergency repair. Once inside, he found Kelsey. He notified his tenant that the lease said, “NO PETS.” he gave his tenant exactly 3 days—-to either get rid of the pet or to move out.

With that extreme dilemma, I am grateful that the owner chose a shelter—rather than dropping Kelsey in a park or on the street.

Kelsey entered the shelter as a good boy, with tons of love….and the volunteers held him as often as they could. I wish Kelsey’s former family could know just how well he is doing and how much he is loved. I do thank the volunteers because without their support, Kelsey may have lost his sweet disposition. I do know this—he was shedding when I brought him home in January….which is rare, but it may have been due to stress. Kelsey was never meant to live in a small cage, with the lights on 24/7, and only pellets to eat.

Despite whatever stress he may have experienced…..that never got the best of his personality. He didn’t cave to the anguish…..and he has adapted so nicely to the life of an only “child” who is absolutely and unabashedly spoiled.

I know Kelsey’s world fell apart when he had to be given up, but anyone who meets us thinks that Kelsey and I have been together since he was a baby. I knew I would love him regardless, but Kelsey has such a big heart. After his time “behind bars,” he is unaffected and as sweet as if I had him since he was a pup!!

[Monkeybun]

Tell my buns that its rare to shed in january please

[Queensbun]

Welcome to you & Kelsey……..he sounds just darling! Looking forward to updates and more pictures!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh my….what a HEART WARMING story!!! And I can only imagine a bunny famous in NYC-that’s just, wow!! Co-starred with Diane hehe What a celeb Hope that hasn’t gone to his head Welcome both!! Can’t wait for more pictures and more funny stories

[Author]

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