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This is the original letter we received from Jean to our Ask Peegie column:

Dear Peegie:

    I have a very spoiled house rabbit of my own that I've had for over 5 years. So I offered to rabbit-sit my bosses netherland dwarf six months ago thinking she would eventually want the rabbit back. He stays outside in my garage. My boss says he has to stay outside because he will get sick if you bring him in. Now she says she doesn't want him back. I feel so bad for the rabbit, Magic. When Magic came to me he arrived in a worn out rusted metal cage. He had nothing in the cage but a bowl of food and a water bottle. He was extremely skinny. His nails had never been cut so they were all curled up and some of his toes were misformed because of it. He had arthritis in his feet from sitting on cold rusty metal all the time. His front upper teeth overlap a bit so he has trouble eating. His owner said he would never eat pellets so they gave him just vegetables and not even any timothy hay. I cut his nails, washed his feet, put cardboard in the cage for him to sit on, gave him pellets with warm pineapple juice on them to softed them up for his teeth, provided timothy hay and a box for him to sleep in inside his cage. He has stayed in my garage all winter, even when it was 20 below last week (I put a hot-water bottle and blanket in his cage). I don't want to bring him inside because I don't want him to get sick and because he doesn't get along with my house rabbit (she lunges at him). Also he isn't litter trained.

    I don't know what to do with him. I have been trying to litter box train him but he doesn't get it. Also, he sprays me every time I go in the garage to feed him. Even from 5 feet away he manages to spray me. He isn't a mean rabbit. He is very good tempered and doesn't move a bit when I cut his nails. Magic is about 6 years old we figure. He doesn't hop very well because he was seldom out of his cage and because I think he has arthritis in his feet.

    I want to give him to a shelter because I can't make a house rabbit out of him and because I only have a one car garage and I need the space for my car. But I'm worried that no one will want Magic and he will have to be put to sleep. But maybe putting him to sleep would be the more humane thing to do than to see him suffer as he gets older.

    I'm really torn. What would be best for this rabbit with his problems?

    Thank you.

    Jean

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This is a letter we received from Jean after Magic was adopted:

    To all of Magic's Bunderground participants:

    You have made one small rabbits life so much happier and healthier. I can't thank you enough. If Magic could talk he'd give everyone of you a thousand hugs and kisses! Special thank you to Nanci of 3 Bunnies who got the idea of doing a bunderground transfer after reading my letter, and David L. Fisher who went above and beyond to organize this trip so expertly. Special thanks as well to Rabbitwise's Bunderground Railroad and Petbunny and their Bunderground Railroad group.

    Thanks Maria, Toni, Denise, Norah, Sharon & Mona.     You are the drivers and caretakers out there that I will always be indebted to. At a time when gas prices were at their highest you stepped up to volunteer to drive Magic to the next stop, even driving many, many hours away. You also provided him a place to stay over night, opening up your home to the little guy; who as you had probably noticed; did not have very good litter box habits. Each and every one of you treated him with so much kindness and love. I'm sure he could sense that and felt safe in your care because of it. You are all heroes in Magic's life. Also, Mona, I appreciate all your help with taking Magic to the vet and getting him fixed and finding him a permanent home.

    Finally, to Sandy and her family, a heartfelt thank you for adopting Magic and giving him a permanent home. I hope he proves to be a good companion to Nancy. I wish you all the best!

    Thank you all for being Magic's guardian angels!

    Jean
    Appleton, WI

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