No sooner did I get the first handful of babies into the nest box, Gypsy jumped down from the rafters, into the nest box, and grabbed a baby bunny. It was screaming, she was growling, and I had to pry her jaw open to get the bunny away from her. There was some blood, but within a few minutes the bleeding stopped and I wasn't terribly worried. We've had several bunnies get nipped by momma that did just fine. On the plus side, at least we know Gypsy is a ruthless hunter. She will annihilate any mouse she finds I left the nine new kits in the nest box with the older W litter and went off to cookie day with my mom and aunts (and #5).
I got to my mom's about 11:30 am, my aunts were already there in the middle of baking their first round of cookies. We spent the remainder of the day making all manner of cookies, breaking just once for lunch, working until all but the last two recipes had been completed. They'll try to finish the rest up tomorrow. I got some of each variety and packed up to go home after my aunts left. My mom gave #5 and I a ride home.
As we were heading home, #3 texted me. She was concerned that one of the new bunnies wasn't doing well. It wasn't using its back legs. I asked if it was the one Gypsy got. Yes, it was. When I removed the kit from Gypsy's jaws, she had it by the head. One tooth mark near bunny's eye, and the other near the opposite ear. Neither was particularly deep, so I hadn't really worried about it. I missed the other two puncture wounds. One on the thigh, the other just to the side of the backbone. I can only assume this bunny has suffered a spinal chord injury. It doesn't seem to have any feeling or motion beyond that puncture spot near the spine. I will leave it for a day or two to see if there is any improvement, but between the fact that it's a cat bite (infection risk is high) and the location of the injury (likely spinal damage), I'm not optimistic.
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On our way home we passed a sign that said "Live Nativity, Next Left." My mom said "We should go see that... But we need to get you home..." I looked at her and said, "Mom, take the left." We turned left.
Following a few more signs, and then getting directions from one of the people there to guide traffic, we found the right place. You drive your car through different scenes from the nativity, each with real actors, live animals, and full costume with props.
Now, I am not overly religious, and I will never push my views on anyone else. Tonight was something absolutely spectacular. It was special and touched my soul. It's one thing to hear the story in Sunday school, or to watch a play, or read about it, or watch a documentary. It's another thing entirely to suddenly be immersed in it.
It was just me and my mom tonight, little #5 was fast asleep in the back. We stopped to ask another traffic director when we left if it would be open again. Tomorrow is the last night.
So if you are in the area (or perhaps want to come from out of area), tomorrow is the last night of the Live Nativity in Pillager, Minnesota. It is free, just come between 6pm and 8:30pm and drive through. If you have a smart phone they have a scanner code to tell the story, otherwise they have big boards with the story as you go. It is worth the few minutes to go through it. Bring your kids, and make it a family outing. Tomorrow night Tony and I will go through with all of the kids. I am still in absolute awe of what I saw tonight. It's cold out, and these folks are dressed up and sharing their holiday love with anyone who wants to come through - free of charge. I've rarely wanted to cry tears of joy, but for whatever reason, this event made me smile from ear to ear, and I was choking back tears through it all. To see a live representation of a story I've heard since I was a child is utterly phenomenal. It was well put together, and all I can say is that I loved the experience. I am so thankful we took the left.