The Rabbit Plea

It is definitely not the best time of year to be a turkey. Yet, in my home, I eat turkey almost daily either for a lunch treat or on a bagel for breakfast. So as the season of thankfulness approaches, I will note my thankfulness for the bird so celebrated at this time of year.

I asked my boys about Thanksgiving this year. Creed is more than willing to draw turkey after turkey to decorate for the upcoming dinner. And when he expels his list of gratefulness, my six year old is already acting very politically correct. He is thankful for his family, his friends, and all that he has. I am glad to hear that.

Heath has a different agenda. He uses his Thanksgiving list as a manipulation technique.

“I’m thankful for you to get me a rabbit,” he told me this morning.

He included his four-wheeler, the opportunity to sit on the new lawn mower, a chance to play in the woods, and the ability to throw sticks into the creek as the remainder of his gratefulness.

Then, he went back to this rabbit. We have never talked about rabbits before. But, since he had put the subject into the limelight, the discussion could ensue.

He told me he had never really been around rabbits much, but he had seen one on Winnie the Pooh. Of course, he doesn’t expect his rabbit to have a garden since it will most likely live in a cage.

And Heath believes it will be okay that his rabbit just has a cage life because he will play with it from time to time.

“And at night, when it is time to sleep, I will protect him so he doesn’t get scared,” he continued.

Funny ... he does know what to say to manipulate his mother.

“And I will feed him carrots and lettuce and maybe grass, and what else do rabbits like? They like water.”

In his lengthy plea, he noted that this rabbit will be named Starfire. Although a female super hero has that name, his rabbit will be a boy and it won’t have any powers, it will just possess an ability to eat many vegetables without complaining.

“And he’ll have fun playing with me,” Heath concluded.

He felt confident that he had made a good argument for a rabbit, so he ended with, “Will you pick Starfire up for me tonight?”

I convinced him that Easter is a better time of year to get pets like rabbits, not really at Thanksgiving time as it will have to be outside in the cold all winter. I think it worked. I guess I’ll know tomorrow if he asks about Starfire again.

My boys are a joy. They certainly give me a reason to be thankful all year long.