Of Rabbits and Angels

We all know that animals can help people through many difficult times simply just by their companionship. Horses, dogs, cats are therapeutic in many types of healing. But a recent story in USA Today demonstrates that pet rabbits have joined the fold of therapy animals.

It seems that a woman in St. Louis who had suffered years of abuse at the hands of her husband finally made the decision to set herself free. She left with only the clothes on her back and her pet rabbit, who she named Ruby Angel because of a mark on her nose that looked like an angel. They had made do on the streets but when the weather became cold, the woman knew she had to re-locate to a shelter for battered women. The trouble was, they didn't take pets.

So she made a heartfelt call to the House Rabbit Society in St. Louis who also made an exception to their rule of not taking pet rabbits from individuals only shelters, and found a foster home for Ruby Angel. The woman is putting her life back together slowly and so, it seems, is Ruby Angel.

To begin with, the rabbit's front teeth, which were knocked out by the woman's husband, are growing back since rabbit's teeth continually grow. And when the rabbit was spayed, the cancer that was discovered in her uterus was removed. Since it had not spread, the rabbit recovered completely.

But there's more. Saving Ruby Angel and her owner so inspired the volunteers of the House Rabbit Society in St. Louis, they began collecting clothing for other victims of domestic violence and have been delivering it by the truckload to shelters for battered women. "So many women will benefit from Ruby Angel's story," says Joy Gioia, head of the House Rabbit Society in St. Louis. "She has truly touched peoples' hearts."

As they say, 'tis the season.