Not On Board: Petey 2006-2008

Petey was a gift to my girlfriend at the time, Bonnie. She had talked about she wanted a little bunny and I always told her I thought it was a stupid idea. But eventually I gave in, and on April 2, 2006, we headed to the pet store. We went to the Scamps at the Valley River Center in Eugene. Bonnie had a hard time picking between two different bunnies, a male and a female. The store clerk recommended we go with the female because she would be less aggressive. However, Bonnie picked up the male and connected with him immediately, but I think at the time she was trying to convince herself to get the female. A small child walked in and grabbed the male, while Bonnie was holding the female. She commented to me that the child was "holding my bunny!" Upon getting the male rabbit out of the small child's hands, he was soon in Bonnie's arms. She called him 'Petey.' I'm not sure why, even the store clerk remarked that it wasn't a good name. Bonnie didn't care. She was in love and Petey was soon in the car and headed to his new home.

Even though I wasn't sold on the idea of having a pet at first, I fell in love with the little guy rather quickly. For the first month we had him, I couldn't wait to get home from school or work to play with him. I would spend hours watching him explore Bonnie's apartment, doing figure-eights around her dining room table and random hops straight into the air for no apparent reason.

Bonnie and I eventually went our separate ways; Bonnie to her mother's in Beaverton and me to an apartment in Clackamas. She asked me if I would watch Petey as she was afraid that he might not last at her mother's place (a former rabbit pet of Bonnie's had disappeared while she was growing up under mysterious circumstances). I reluctantly agreed. I was new to Portland and a bit lonely and Petey offered me companionship during those first few months. I worked a very stressful job at the time and the highlight of many of my days was heading home and having that him run around the house. If I lay down on the ground at his level, he would come up to me and start nipping at my hair. His whiskers would tickle me. He was a great friend.

Bonnie was a great mother. Despite the proximity difference between the two of us, she always made a point to come out and visit Petey whenever she could, bringing him treats such as carrots and yogurt chips. He loved visits from his mom since he knew he was going to get a lot of attention and presents. It was incredibly cute to watch the two of them together.

Petey was sick over this past summer, some sort of digestive problems. He required regular medicine which was a pain in the ass for me to give to him, twice a day to boot. He hated me for those couple of weeks. He also could no longer have carrots or other treats that his mother and I were used to spoiling him with. Just a strict diet of hay, pellets, and leafy vegetables. He was not such a fan of that.

This past Thursday night, Petey and I watched the Blazer game together as we normally do (to be fair, I watch the game while he runs around). He was in desperate need of a bath as it had been awhile since his last one; he has the softest fur after a bath. After finishing up, I set him down to continue running around. He sat underneath a side table in the basement instead. After the game, I went and lay on the ground to have him nip at my hair since I knew he wasn't a fan of the bath earlier. He didn't come up to me. I was disappointed at the time, but didn't think any more of it. I put him to bed for the night and went to sleep myself.

The next morning I woke for my Friday-off routine which consists of making pancakes and coffee, then heading downstairs to feed Petey and let him run around while I catch up on the Tivo. This Friday morning though, when I went to open his cage, he didn't get up. I tried petting his soft fur to stir him, but he still didn't move. I started to shake him, my heart racing, while I begged him to wake up, but he was already gone. I sat there in front of his cage in disbelief as my special little guy lay in front of me.

I don't remember crying so much as I have this past weekend. I used to think it was weird that people got so attached to their animals. Now I understand. Every time I think of Petey, I tear up. Those of you that had the chance to meet Petey know what a special guy he was. He was such a ladies man. He got to meet a bunch of Portland musicians. He was always Mr. Popular at the parties. I like to think he lived a fulfilling life.