The dead hare was in his arms before I even knew it was there on the forest floor. It looked so much like a stuffed plush toy. How could my grandson resist picking it up and cuddling it? The bunny had not long been dead, with no sign of trauma on its little body.
It was a young hare, a leveret, with small ears and soft fur, similar to many others I’ve found and buried over the years. This time it was different though. I had a small child as my witness and I wondered how he would react to the bunny being buried in the ground.
Snowshoe hare legs at rest
We talked about what might have happened. Perhaps a neighbor’s cat had killed it for sport. Surely a bobcat or fox would have eaten it or carried it off to its den.
We dug a hole for it in a place in the yard where I’ve buried small bunnies in the past after finding their limp bodies on the lawn. After gently placing it in the hole, we covered the bunny with earth and placed a stone on top to deter wild animals from digging it up.
Nature is the great teacher. It shows us how death comes to all, even the young and beautiful. We may not understand why, but we can still show reverence for all God’s creatures, both in life and death.
Let parents then bequeath to their children not riches but the spirit of reverence.
~ Plato
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2014
Flandrum Hill 
That is a sad but beautiful story, Amy-Lynn. When we come across a dead squirrel, little mole, or small bird, we also find a place to give them a proper burial, usually in our garden, sometimes on the road verge, where the soil is soft. We always wonder what happened to them and why they died, and whether they were frequent visitors to our garden, or perhaps even one of the little ones born *in* our garden. As sad as it is when they die, there is something rather wonderful about seeing nature play out its cycle of birth, life and death right here in our backyard. And it is good for your grandchildren to experience that too. 🙂
Reggie, yes, witnessing that cycle of birth, life and death in our backyards is rather wonderful. I think it helps children make sense of their world.
It’s nice to know that you bury all the little creatures too 🙂
Thank you for being there to provide the context for your grandchild.
P.S. – lovely to see you back.
Dawn, that context is so important, isn’t it? I’m glad to be back too 🙂
I scrolled back through your blog – I must have missed your posts in the last several months. Glad you are back on my radar now. 🙂
Dawn, I haven’t had a chance to post near as often as I used to. I’m working more hours and also went back to school part-time in January. That just about took up every spare moment of my time. I have a break from course work until September so hopefully I’ll have a chance to post more in the months ahead.
Perfect, pretty little animal. Sad, thoughtful little boy. Wonderful that the boy was with his wise, kind, sensitive grandmother when he came upon death in the springtime. You gave him as good an introduction as there can be to this difficult reality.
Pamela, I hope I did. These little experiences can sometimes mean so much.
It’s so hard when the creatures die. Especially something as innocent as a baby bunny. How good that you were there with your grandson and could teach him, guide him. It’s always a resurrection to see you in the blogosphere again.
Kathy, yes these sweet baby bunnies are especially tough to bury. They appear so incredibly perfect. It seems so wrong to have to cover them up with dirt.
Yes, I am back in the blogosphere again. At least for now 😉
Lucky child to have a grandmother like you who didn’t shriek:”PUT THAT DIRTY THING DOWN!” But instead used the opportunity for an important life lesson.
Sybil, you crack me up. As always 🙂
The final paragraph brought some beauty and understanding to a sad, sad story. How thoughtful your grandchild looks, as if he was somehow biding the creature good-bye.
Aubrey, yes he is a thoughtful little guy. Happily there are other bunnies he finds hopping around the yard these days.
Oh bless the bunny. Nature’s lessons are hard, but learn them we must, whether we want to or not. You are a good guide.
Gerry, nature’s lessons are indeed hard. Not sure how good a guide I am. Just being there seems to be enough at times.
What a sweet child. And a beautiful bunny. Sad. But you made something special out of it and I bet he remembers for a very long time.
Dawn, he is sweet and that bunny was the most beautiful, perfect little creature. I hope he remembers.