Fresh from stage debut, Roxie the rabbit searching for forever home
Ask most pet owners if their fur baby is a star and they’ll enthusiastically agree, with only a camera roll full of photos and a heart full of love to back up their claims.
But whoever gives a forever home to a bunny currently up for adoption at a Winnipeg animal hospital will be able to make that claim handily.
That’s because hopeful adoptee Roxie the rabbit spent two weeks performing the title role in Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s “The Velveteen Rabbit”.
While some come to the theatre in search of stardom, like her jazz-singing namesake from the musical “Chicago”, this Roxie stepped into the limelight in search of a family.
The one-year-old was found by a community organization in the fall, abandoned and in need of veterinary care. She was brought to the Grant Park Animal Hospital where she has been living ever since, waiting to be adopted.
Having trouble placing her with a loving family, hospital staff decided to audition her to play “The Velveteen Rabbit”.
“She got that part, and she ended up performing for two weeks, several performances a day. She really did a very good job, and gained a lot of fans in so doing,” recalled Dr. Jonas Watson, veterinarian and owner of Grant Park Animal Hospital.
Sadly, none of Roxie's new fans were able to adopt her, and stardom left her back were it found her – living with animal hospital staff on weekends, waiting to be adopted.
Doctor Watson said her fame has not exempt her from a common trope in Winnipeg – a city with an overabundance of domestic rabbits who have trouble being placed in new homes. He said some have had to be turned loose into the wild during warmer months. As a result, many shelters and rescue organizations have intake freezes.
Just as the Velveteen Rabbit is saved from peril by a magic fairy who whisks him away, Dr. Watson believes there will still be a happy ending in the sometimes dramatic story of Roxie’s life.
“We've all become quite fond of her. If one of us here at the hospital could take her, we would have,” he said.
Her time on the stage didn’t breed any diva-like tendencies, either. The sweet, affectionate, bunny is litter trained, spayed, loves bananas and kale, and gives plenty of licks.
“We’re looking for a home where she'll get lots of attention, she'll get lots of opportunity to free roam and not be stuck in a cage and basically, a home where she’ll be provided with all the love that she deserves," Dr. Watson said.
Anyone who thinks they can give this scene-stealing rabbit a forever home is asked to call or email the hospital.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.