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
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.