The Extraordinary Rabbit That Started It All

IT'S AMAZING how the idea of animal-assisted therapy and Petpositive's formation came about through the inspiration of three outstanding canines in Malaysia.

However, when the first-ever AAT session in the country got underway late last month, it was not a dog - but the memory of a very special handicapped rabbit from Penang - that got us all excited about disabled and elderly empowerment through pets.

Here now is that remarkable bunny's story as told by her loving human guardians who adopted her six years ago.

Valentina (Picture, above), The Disabled Rabbit: Her Story

(Story and Pictures by Captain Abdul Karim Stuart Russell and Fasidah Sabeh)

‘Valentina’ was born on Valentine’s Day 1998, hence her name.

We first met her at the mini zoo-cum-horse-riding centre behind the Lone Pine Hotel in Batu Ferinnghi, Penang in 2000.

She had a deformed right hind leg, due to a badly healed broken bone, (Valentina repeatedly bit off the plaster cast) which was the result of her being accidentally dropped by a child who was cuddling her.

The following year when we visited the hotel again the American lady, Anne, who took care of all the animals was returning to the United States as her son was about to enter university there, hence all the animals had to be re-homed.

Anne, was really worried about ‘Valentina’ and asked if Idah would care to take ‘Valentina’ back to Seremban, as we already had several rabbits and she knew we would take very good care of Valentina.

So Idah & I agreed to adopt Valentina; however Anne said that she may be pregnant, as she had been out with the buck one night!

And, so it was; Valentina was expecting, and soon gave birth to a litter of five, not very many kittens, but she took really good care of them all, but unfortunately, one of the litter ‘Sweety’ died three months after birth, and another ‘Spotty’ died at the age of about 2 years, but her brother ‘Squirrel’ and sisters ‘Lilly’ & ‘Loppy’ (the terrible twins) are still with us.

We also have another adopted rabbit, a doe called ‘Cherios’ (Pix below). ‘Cherios’ is a different breed, and she and “Loppy’ cannot get along, and if they are left together they fight. “Cherios’ has a scarred nose to prove it!

Sadly, Valentina developed an inoperable cancerous growth in her womb early in 2007, and soon was partly paralysed and could not use her hind legs.

Idah had to clean her regularly since she was unable to manage the job herself. To help to keep her dry, we fitted her with small sized babies’ disposable nappies, and they were a great success.

Despite constant care and regular veterinary treatment, Valentina breathed her last breath and died on 25 April 2007, she was a little over 9 years old, which is quite an old age for a domesticated rabbit.

Valentina attended a Petpositive Committee meeting in late 2006, not long before she was ill, and Petpositive has honoured her memory by naming this event at FRIM, the “Valentina Project”

Thanks for the memories Valentina.

Karim & Idah

(Right: Idah and Valentina during happier days)

UPCOMING EVENTS:

1. Live interview show with Petpositive on TraxxFM national radio this Thursday. Click HERE for details.



2. Special Wheel Power write-up on Thursday on our Valentina Project.



3. Special write up on Valentina Project by Wani Muthiah on Star Metro this week.



4. Our Invitation for Deepavali Party on Dec 2 still open to disabled and elderly Malaysians. Click HERE



5. Print copies of Positive Lives! Newsletter will be available for distribution on Thursday. Click HERE



6. Christmas issue of the prestigious Tatler magazine featuring Petpositive's Valentina Project coming soon!

Let's All Get Petpositive!

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