Thumper

Yes, Dear…

by Anjie Coates
Photo by Anjie Coates

humper the Lionhead, a regular rabbit client of mine, came in for a scissor trim.
“Hold still for a second, buddy. I don’t want to trim any whiskers,” I tell him as I bend over the table so I can trim his face.
Thumper: Holds very still and looks directly into my eyes watching me, then asks, “Done?”
“Yeah, with the right side, honey, but I still need to do the left,” I say.
Thumper: “Need pets.”
“OK,” I reply and pet his head and ears with my hand.
Thumper: “No, want good grooming pets! Mom said I get groomed, so you groom me!” as he bumps his head into my chin.
“I am grooming you, buddy. You’re about 75% done with your haircut here,” I tell him.
Thumper: “Not that grooming, good grooming!” as he bumps his head into my chin again.
It then dawns on me that he wants me to actually groom him like a rabbit would.
“Umm…OK,” I mumble as I rub my chin and cheek over his head a few times.
Thumper: “Yeah, that’s more like it,” as he puffs out his chest and leans on me a bit.
“OK,” I say with a chuckle.
“Well, I need to do the left side now, buddy, so I have to switch sides,” I tell him as I shift his body weight back to level.

Thumper: “I was comfy,” as he throws me a grouchy look.
I rub my chin and cheek over his head again a few times, and ask, “Better?”
Thumper: “Mmmhmm,” as he leans against me again now that I’m on his other side.
I then begin to trim up the left side of his face.
Thumper: “Groom me!”
“One sec, buddy. I just have to get this bit of fuzz above your whiskers,” I tell him.
Thumper: “Ahem,” as he bumps into my face.
“OK, right, grooming. Got it,” and I rub my chin and cheek over his head again.
Thumper: “You learn quick for a human.”
“Thanks, I try to pay attention,” I reply with a chuckle.
Thumper: “Not bad. Haircut is pretty good, too. So I hear I’m going to get my picture taken now?”
“Yup, it’s the Paris theme. I have a green beret that’ll look great on you,” I say.
Thumper: “Ehh don’t like green. Got any in red?”
To which I reply,