The bunnies fling their hind ends joyfully into the air, dancing to celebrate their freedom. Once a week, volunteers from the local House Rabbit Society chapter go to the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wisconsin. We go on Sundays, when the shelter is closed, and take the buns out for a little exercise and socialization. I go just to have a bunny fix, to watch those little noses wiggle and pet those fascinating ears.
Most buns prefer exercise over affection.
They run through the cardboard tunnels, jump for joy, or sit still. Bonded pairs are brought out together. Sometimes they investigate each toy or just sit still next to us, possibly leaping over legs, often running under bent knees that form a human tunnel. Some buns thump with fear when they hear the shelter's nearby dogs barking, warning us that we could all be in imminent danger. Sometimes after a hard stretch of playing, the buns want some affection and hop on over to where Kelly and I are sitting on the floor.