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Pony tales | Philstar.com
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Young Star

Pony tales

ASHTRAY GIRL - Regina Belmonte -
Most little girls want a pony. Maybe it’s because ponies are part of what I like to call the “princess package,” which is made up of a pony, a palace, and Prince Charming. Almost all little girls want to be princesses for Halloween. Some of us are still deluded enough to believe that Prince William/Harry/Andrea will show up at our doorsteps and ask for our hands in marriage. (Wouldn’t our mothers love that?)

We’ll need something to ride off into the sunset on, and since Ferraris aren’t particularly romantic, a horse is the only solution.

Fortunately for my bones and my parents’ bank account, I don’t have a pony. I’ve always been a little scared of animals that are big enough to knock me down, and I’m also a little afraid of animals that chase you and make loud noises while they’re at it, whether or not they are the size of my foot. This is why I don’t own a Chihuahua.

I do, however, share my room with a sweet little rabbit, and his name is Pony. As a kid, I thought that rabbits were just glorified, living, breathing stuffed toys whose sole purpose in life was to be ridiculously adorable. Untrue! Sure, Pony is cute, but more importantly, he has a unique personality that I have really come to love.

Being the only bunny prince in the house, Pony is very spoiled. He’s a little cat-like; he’s extremely sweet when he wants attention, which we give him in the form of pats, but when he’s through being pampered, he’s aloof and indifferent. My crazy little bunny knows he can get whatever he wants, either by sitting up and giving me a pleading "please love me" look, or by pushing his head under my hand to ask for affection. How could I possibly say no? I drop everything, including schoolwork, to spend time with my bunny.

Of course, there are days when I have too much to do and I can’t give him the attention he wants, but Pony always finds a way. The most effective one he’s tried so far has been to pick up his litter box with his teeth and bang it against the side of his cage. I have to drop whatever I’m doing to walk over and pat him. For about half a year, he did that every morning at 6:30. It was probably the worst wake-up call known to man, but at least it really did get me out of bed in time for school, and I left a satisfied bunny at home every day.

Most pet bunnies live outdoors, but Pony lives in a decent-sized cage in my room. When I first read up on rabbit care, I found out that it was possible to litter-train bunnies, and that it was better for them to live indoors and roam free. My mom is quite attached to her furniture, so I only let Pony out when I’m in the room. Sometimes, we nap together on my bed, with him snuggling next to me. The rest of the time, he lives in his cage.

I like knowing that he’s always just in my room, safe from the cats that lurk outside our house and safe from everything else that might harm him. Mom sometimes complains that my room smells like rabbit, but I don’t mind at all. I’m the one who has to live in the room, anyway.

I might make having a bunny sound like the best thing ever, and it is, but it hasn’t always been easy. Pony’s veterinary bills have cost more than it did to acquire him, and there have been weeks that I had to give him medicine thrice a day with a syringe. My patience has worn thin at times, but all the effort has been worth it; I have a wonderful bond with my rabbit.

I’m sure that there will be people who will say things like "It’s just a rabbit," or "It’s not like a dog; you can’t have a relationship with it, it’s just cute," but contrary to popular belief, you really can have a great relationship with a bunny, if you’re willing to work hard for it. He isn’t just my pet, or something to play with. To me, Pony is a loyal companion and a real friend.

Sometimes I pass by commercial pet stores and sit in front of the bunnies, wishing I could buy all of them so that I could be sure that they were loved and that they would be taken care of properly. It just worries me that some bunnies are sold for less than a Grande Mocha at Starbucks, but that’s beyond my control. Hopefully they all find good homes with people who will love them as much as I love my little Pony.
* * *
Write me at bewaretheashtraygirl@yahoo.com.

GRANDE MOCHA

LITTLE

PONY

PRINCE CHARMING

PRINCE WILLIAM

SOMETIMES I

WHEN I

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