You dirty – dirty branch!
Apr 3rd, 2008 by Peter
A few days ago we took a brief walk and stumbled upon a large willow tree that had broken. The storm recently must have given it the last push. Inside it was completely rotten, so it had to happen sooner or later.
The branches, on the other hand, were fresh and bendy. Just what C’s rabbits love to gnaw in. So I suggested to C that we took some with us home, now that the tree already was on the way to doom. We’ve done so many times before, but I always felt a bit guilty, as it was from fresh and healthy trees.
Who could have guessed C next sentence: “NO! – don’t take from that tree. It’s dirty!”. I looked at the branches and found them no dirtier than those we normally take. They hadn’t touched the ground or anything.
I presented my case and after a while she caved, but not after I reminded her that free living rabbits eat straight from the ground/tree normally and added: “Your rabbits also eat their own shit – you know?”. I knew she couldn’t counter that one. We’ve seen that happen plenty of times. So she agreed to give them the branches, but only after a good thoroughly wash. Sigh.
Not quite sure whether it’s a sign that she loves the rabbits too much, or just the difference in cultures.
