Author of Madam, Have You Ever Really Been Happy? An Intimate Journey through Africa and Asia

ONLY IN LANGLEY, THE NORTHWEST RABBIT CAPITOL

I take a small detour from my Nepalese journey to tell you that I just returned from a beautiful week in sunny Denver, CO, to visit my granddaughter, her husband, and my first GREAT grandchild. And great he is, cheeks and all! What a family they are, and what a delightful visit, which included a huge blizzard over one weekend, another of which, I understand, is predicted for this coming weekend. There seems to be no end to the weather variations in the Rocky Mountains. I was also able to see my Autoharp buddy, Bonnie Phipps from Boulder, and my nephew, David Magill, from Denver.

bunny photo mom 30april16aThe day after I returned I had a jolting experience. It was the first time I had ever hit an animal on the road, and, although Langley-ites have varying opinions regarding what to do about the proliferation of the rabbit population as a result of the summer festivities at the Fairgrounds, killing them by car is not one of the options.

I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a struggling animal. OMIGOD, it’s dying, I thought. What shall I do? I hesitated. I couldn’t bear to go back and finish it off…squish a rabbit on purpose? Nor could I bear to see it suffer. I slowly pulled away and with a heavy heart made my way home.

As I dragged myself up the stairs to my apartment, my neighbor said, consolingly, “Call the police. They will check on it.”

“Oh, do you really think so?” What a brilliant idea!

“Hello, my name is Meg Peterson, and I think I just hit a bunny rabbit on Edgecliff Rd. near Furman, and it may be dying. I wanted you to know, in case you can help.”

A very pleasant officer, Marge, assured me that she would send an officer to check on it, and, if it was suffering, “dispatch” it. She took my name, and assured me that this was not a felony and it was nice of me to report the incident.

An hour later I received a call from an Officer Patrick, who said that another policeman had gone to the location I specified, but found no bunny there.

“It’s a mystery,” he said, “but maybe it was not badly injured and just hopped away. I’ll go back and check it out.”

“Oh, thank you so much,” I gushed.

“Well, we appreciate when citizens take an interest in the wildlife and cleanliness of their community. I hope this will give you peace of mind, M’am. Again, if the rabbit is injured we will not let it suffer.”

This congenial conversation went on for a few more sentences, after which I gave my name and address, again, and was assured that I would not go on any list and had not done anything wrong.

I put the phone down and breathed a sign of relief. I love New York and New Jersey, but I cannot imagine having a chat with the local police department about the possible death of one furry creature on a side road. I’m really getting to like this place….

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4 Comments

  1. Madir

    Oh Meg! delightful, with you all the way on this story 🙂 Madir

  2. Lee Compton

    I wuv those wascally wabbits. Wabbits here, Wabbits there, Wabbits every where. Mista Lee

  3. jackie h

    Here’s to the bunnies and congeniality. Love you, Jackie

  4. Barry

    I love this story. Because most of us have had the common misfortune of hitting an animal on the road,, I don’t think there is much thought that others might share our grief or concern, and no thought that it would come genuinely from the local constabulary. It’s warm and sweet and funny.

© 2024 Meg Noble Peterson