Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/newborn-rabbit/

One of the hardest things to do in life is saying goodbye.

And it can happen even with wildlife. Not a pet, but an animal that belongs to the wild.

Yet, sympathy was the first emotion that this woman felt when she saw the small thing in her backyard. She thought it was a squirrel, moving slowly and unsteadily on the ground.

But, it turned out to be a newborn rabbit. And it seemed to be seeking its mother.

She waited for some while, but the rabbit’s mother never returned. And so, there was nothing else to do but to take the little one inside and take care of it until it is strong enough.

Yet, the moment she took it in her gloved hand and saw the frail baby laying its head on her palm, love flowed from her heart.

She started to feed it with milk for kittens, which she learned is good for baby rabbits too. Four times a day, she nourished it and it seemed to really like the milk.

But, it was also the beginning of sleepless nights for her because she was always worrying that the newborn rabbit would not make it through.

At last, the baby started to grow. And it began to enjoy playing around the house. That was when she was able to breathe with relief.

However, something still kept on troubling her mind. What she had taken in was an animal that belongs to the wild. One day, just as she had told herself before, she would have to let it go.

Months after, her adopted rabbit was now fully grown. She started training it for its return to the wild. As always, she would let it out in the backyard though this time she would close the patio door. The rabbit would put its paws on the door and beg to be let in.

Still, she made it stay longer and longer out in the backyard. Until, one day, it finally learned to be fond of the outdoors.

It was time. Time to say goodbye.

She did not expect that she would cry. And that it would leave a hole in her heart.

In the summer months, her adopted rabbit would return but it would stay only within the perimeter of her backyard. Instinct must have told it that its real home is in the wild.

She still feels sad when memories of that adoption run across her mind. At the same time, she is very grateful that she had her chance to save one precious life.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog