Hopping Through Our Memories: Thumper Wilson
When we agreed to adopt a rabbit, we thought we were getting a simple pet for the kids. We had no idea that Thumper would become such an important part of our family and teach us so much about joy in the small things.
Thumper was a mini lop with speckled brown and white fur that felt like velvet. His ears flopped over his face, and he had this way of twitching his nose that made everyone smile. He came to us during the pandemic when we were all struggling with being stuck at home, and he quickly became our little ray of sunshine.
The children, Emma and Liam, took their responsibility as “bunny parents” very seriously. They researched rabbit care, created a schedule for cleaning his habitat, and spent hours making him toys out of cardboard and willow branches. Thumper rewarded their devotion by coming when they called his name and doing little jumps (which we called “binkies”) when he was happy.
For a small animal, Thumper had a huge personality. He was curious about everything, investigating new objects by nudging them with his nose. He loved to run through the obstacle courses the kids would build in the living room and had a particular fondness for banana slices, which we used as special treats.
Thumper was surprisingly affectionate. He would hop onto the couch during family movie nights and snuggle against whoever had the warmest lap. He enjoyed having the spot between his ears scratched and would grind his teeth softly (bunny purring) when content.
One of our favorite memories is how Thumper would “help” with homework. If Emma or Liam were sitting on the floor with their books, he would hop over, inspect their work, and often attempt to nibble on their papers – his way of offering editorial feedback, we joked.
When Thumper developed a respiratory infection, we were all heartbroken. The vet did everything possible, but sometimes even the greatest care isn’t enough. We were by his side, gently petting his soft fur, when he left us.
For five years, this little bunny brought us laughter, taught the children responsibility, and showed us that love comes in all sizes. Our home feels different without the sound of Thumper thumping his back feet when excited or the sight of him stretched out in a patch of sunshine. Thank you, Thumper, for the joy you brought to our family. We hope there are endless banana slices and cardboard tubes to play with over the Rainbow Bridge.