My Childhood Rabbit
- Simply Jelly Jam
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
In honor of World Pet Memorial Day (9 June 2026).
Have you experienced the loss of a pet? Do you know someone who lost their pet companion? If so, World Pet Memorial Day is a great day to honor a beloved animal friend. While I have written about my dog, Shadow, often, I wanted to pay tribute to my childhood rabbit, Ginger.
In case it's helpful, below are the main points covered in this post:
How I Got Ginger
My friend, Lisa, and her stepdad, George, invited me to a traveling carnival. I was a happy eight-year-old that night because I rarely got to leave the house without mom.
I was taught to never ask for anything, so I followed them around. We did what my friend wanted. I secretly hoped we would play a carnival game so that I could have a chance to win a plush prize.
Eventually, George asked what I wanted to do. After much hesitation, I said that I wanted to play a game to win a prize.
George let me choose a game. I chose the balloon pop game because it was the only one that I was good at and knew I could win. Sure enough, I won a plush toy! I thought it was the best night ever, if mom would let me keep the toy.
At some point that night, Lisa spotted a game where one could win a real-life bunny. Lisa really wanted a bunny.
Before I continue, yes, I know that rabbits are animals and they are not prizes to be won at carnivals. I do not support animal cruelty, but I did not know that as a kid.
I do not know what the game was. Whatever the game was, George was great at it.
George bought two tickets. He won on his first try and let Lisa pick a bunny. She picked a light gray bunny with some white marking.
George won on his second try. I thought Lisa was getting two bunnies, but George asked me to pick the one I wanted.
I panicked! First, it seemed wrong, although I did not know why it felt wrong. Mainly, I knew mom would never let me have a pet. Heck. I knew she would not let me keep my plush toy! I was scared about her yelling.
George leaned down to my level and asked what was wrong. I told him how I felt weird about it. George told me to take a bunny home to give them the best lives possible.
I then told him that mom would get mad and I would get in trouble. He laughed, said something I could not understand under his breath, and promised to deal with mom when I got home.
George encouraged me to pick a bunny to "save." I walked into the pen and stared down at all the bunnies. Most avoided me, but one white bunny did not budge. It stared at me. I held her in my arms and stepped out of the pen. I chose to "save" her.
On the drive home, Lisa's bunny kept hopping out of her arms. It bit her a few times and pooped all over the floor. Lisa was frustrated while George explained that it would take time for the bunny to learn trust.
My bunny lay calmly in my arms while staring at me. I named her Ginger. Ginger did poop on my lap, but I figured she was just a baby and could not help herself.
Angry Mom
We went straight to Lisa's home first. Lisa's mom was upset when she saw Lisa carry a bunny into their apartment. She and George argued in front of us. She complained that a major decision about her daughter should include her. He argued that Lisa deserved it.
After a heated argument, Lisa's mom sighed before telling Lisa that she could keep the bunny.
George took me home. I do not remember how that argument between him and mom went. I tended to shut down mentally when mom was angry. I vaguely remember crying while cradling Ginger in my arms. I recall George taking Ginger when he left.
To my surprise, mom said I could keep Ginger, but she was to remain outdoors. George only took her to get her checked by a veterinarian because mom refused.
When he returned with my bunny, Ginger came straight to me. I held her in my arms.
A Close Bond
Unlike Lisa's bunny, Ginger never bit me. She never tried to run away. She never avoided me.
In fact, Ginger always followed me around. I loved the attention she gave me and tried to give her as much attention in return. I spent a lot of time in the backyard with her. I did my homework outside. I played with my toys outside. Unless we were playing together, she laid on my lap while I did whatever I did.
Mom hated that I spent so much time outdoors with Ginger. I think mom got jealous. I do not know why Mom would have felt jealous because she rarely spent time with me before Ginger came into my life. I was a latchkey kid. I was frequently home alone.
When mom was gone, I snuck Ginger into the apartment. She would hop around happily periodically checking in to see what I was up to. Sometimes she would toss my toys into the air. I always believed that was her way of playing.
We played together, but we cuddled for the most part. If I did not have homework to do first, or right after we played together, she would lay on my lap or chest as I watched TV. On the rare occasions when she laid next to me instead of on me, she would press her body up against mine.
Before mom would return home, I would take Ginger back outdoors, usually to her habitat because it would be close to or past my bedtime.
Whenever mom allowed it, I took Ginger with me when we left the apartment. I carried her in a blanket to keep her comfy and catch her poop. I do not know if this is true, but kid me believed that rabbits had no control of where or when they pooped. So, I managed it by always having a blanket and trash bag when we left the apartment.
Ginger never showed drastic signs of fear or discomfort, unlike Lisa's bunny who always tried to flee new environments. If Ginger was uncomfortable, she would bury her head in the blanket or under my armpit. I would keep her face covered until I thought she would be comfortable enough to keep her head up to look around.
Ginger and I would stay with Lisa's family on some weekends. Those were awkward weekends watching Lisa's bunny run away or attack her while Ginger followed me around or asked to be held.
One day, we decided to dress up our bunnies. Lisa was bitten and cried. Her mom and George lectured Lisa about being kind and gentle with her bunny.
Do not force the bunny to do what he did not want to do. Do not make him uncomfortable or angry. Do not treat him like a toy. Do not handle him roughly. Do not handle him too often.
Meanwhile, Ginger wore a baby doll's dress, necklace, and sun hat while cradled in my arms (belly up). I would not have forced the clothes on her, but she never showed signs of wanting me to stop dressing her. In fact, she seemed to want the physical attention I offered.
I knew that I had developed a special bond with Ginger. I knew I earned her trust before I even picked her at the carnival.
Watching Lisa with her bunny reminded me of that. Lisa told me that she wished she could cuddle her bunny the same way I did. But she loved her bunny despite the bites and lack of attention.
I adored Ginger. She was my world. I only wished I had her as an adult when I was able to have full control of her care. However, I did everything in my eight-year-old power to provide the best care I could. I loved her, and I knew she loved me in return.
Over thirty years later, I still miss Ginger. I sometimes tell myself that she is now playing and cuddling with my late dog, Shadow. He adored small animals, and I bet he would have loved Ginger. Shadow also loved a good cuddle.
What's Next?
I am grateful for the time I had with her. I am glad that I allowed myself to share Ginger's story after revisiting my good memories of her. I am not ready to revisit the bad memories (her passing), but I will assume nobody cares to read about that.
A great way for you to celebrate World Pet Memorial Day to share your late pet's story with others. You can post photos to your social media app of choice. You can also honor your pet by helping another animal in need. For example, you could donate food or toys to your local animal shelter.
P.S. In case you were curious, no, I did not get to keep the plush toy from the carnival.
Comment below to share your late pet's story!
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Thanks, and have a great day!
~Simply Jelly Jam
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