Left Injured in the Cold, This Bunny Found a New Life — And a Best Friend
On a bitterly cold February night in Nova Scotia, a police officer noticed something unusual by the side of the road — a small, white bundle in a slushy puddle. As he got closer, he realized it was a rabbit. The poor creature was injured, motionless, and soaked through in the freezing muck.
Without hesitation, the officer brought the bunny back to the station and contacted Honey’s Bunnies Rabbit Rescue, a local nonprofit that rescues and rehomes domestic rabbits. When Lindsay Macaulay, co-owner of the rescue, arrived, it was clear the situation was serious. The rabbit — later named Puddles — was bleeding, unable to move his hind legs, and in visible pain. He was rushed to an emergency vet, where the diagnosis was heartbreaking: internal bleeding, anemia, and a dislocated tail, likely the result of being abandoned and struck by a car.
Despite the grim outlook, Macaulay sensed something different about Puddles. There was a spark in his eyes — a will to live. She brought him home that night to keep him warm and comfortable. To her amazement, Puddles didn’t give up. Even while injured and exhausted, he accepted food from her hand and leaned in for gentle head kisses. He wasn’t just surviving — he was reaching out for connection.
Over the following weeks, Puddles received care from an exotic vet and underwent laser therapy and strict cage rest. Macaulay prepared for a long recovery filled with syringe feeding and sleepless nights. Rabbits are known for being delicate, especially when sick or in pain. But again, Puddles surprised her. He greeted her with enthusiasm, asked for pets, and remained trusting through every treatment. “He was a trooper,” Macaulay said. “He just wanted love.”
As Puddles grew stronger, hopping through the house and exploring, an unexpected friendship began to form. Wren, one of Macaulay’s three cats, took a special interest in the new arrival. While the other cats kept their distance, Wren approached with gentle curiosity. Soon, Macaulay would regularly find the two snuggled together, grooming one another or napping side by side. It was as if they spoke the same unspoken language — one built on shared experiences.
Wren, too, had come from a difficult past. When Macaulay adopted her months earlier, she was recovering from trauma of her own. Now, in Puddles, she’d found a kindred spirit. “They’re a very affectionate couple,” Macaulay said. “Puddles bows his head to Wren so she can groom him. It’s beautiful to witness.”
As the days passed, the bond between the kitten and the rabbit only grew deeper — and so did Macaulay’s attachment. She had rescued many animals before, but this was different. Seeing the way Wren and Puddles comforted each other sealed the decision. Puddles was no longer just a foster. He was family.
Today, Puddles is thriving. He’s regained much of his mobility, though he still lives with some visual and coordination challenges. Macaulay affectionately calls him her “wonky bun,” a nod to his quirks — and his resilience. He’s curious, loving, and always ready to greet a visitor with a twitch of the nose.
“He’s not perfect,” she says, “but he’s happy. And he’s one of the sweetest, most trusting animals I’ve ever known.