In the middle of May, our shelter manager was surprised to see a game warden pull into the yard at Cottontail Cottage. Amazingly, in his hands he held a teeny-tiny baby bunny that still had it's eyes closed and just the beginning sheen of fur. He said, that the newborn bunny was found on the side of the road by a little girl, who brought it to the attention of her parents. Thinking it was a wild bunny, they called the game warden. We knew instantly, that this was no wild bunny as its eyes were closed (wild bunnies are born with them open.) This bunny was so small, she fit perfectly in the palm of our hands. We guessed her to be no more than three days old.
So begins the saga of little Thumbelina, and how she was hand-fed and raised on goat's milk inside the cottage with Jenny, who carried the tiny baby around tucked under her shirt, where she could feel the warmth and beating of her own heart. Thumbelina continued to grow, but it was soon observed that her coat was not coming in right. She looked more like a hedgehog than a bunny! And at one point, she was nearly bald. With the supervision of their vet, supplements were added to her feed, and in time, the old coat was shed and a new (very fluffy one) grew in - all but the top of her head which we hope will continue to come in. One other thing we learned: Thumbelina is not a girl! So, we had to change her name. Bumbles? Bumbles! Why, yes, Bumbles is his name. We are still not entirely sure Bumbles is a rabbit. We rather think he's a one-of-a-kind creature, left by the fairies (like Thumbelina) called a "Bumbles." But that is for you to decide. Bumbles would LOVE to be sponsored! He will be living the rest of his life at the cottage and could use all the support he can get. Bumbles is truly a little miracle and an example of the magic that goes on in this very special place. By becoming a monthly sponsor of, you get all the benefits of having a bunny of your very own - without actually having one.
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dot orgMaine Shelter License #f1331
Federal Tax ID: #46-1060534 501(c)3, nonprofit |