Sometimes You Just Have to Sleep in The Toilet!

I've noticed that when people turn 50, they say, "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm going to be 50 years old this month." When they turn 60 they say nothing. Something happens after 50 when birthdays become a non obviating event--something that occurs like food and weather. 

Dakota turned 50 in rabbit years a couple of months ago. Suddenly he's taken to sleeping in his toilet. His bathroom blurs into all of the other comforts in life. Rabbits are super clean and picky about clean bathrooms. Now, as he approaches geriatric, he's less concerned--his litter box is now his bed and the rest of the room his litter box.

I only bring this up because I wonder if in these boisterous times we could take some wisdom from Dakota. As he ages, he seeks comfort. As things change, his passion for his loved ones is super enthused. The slightest sound of distress from his wife Caila and his ears go straight up and he's over by her side, licking her back and ears as if a good cleaning will cure any physical or emotional turbulence. 

Since Dakota is taking more center stage at Niyas Place (soon to be Scrappy Rabbit) we had a little happy hour talk -- he had his freshly squeezed carrot juice that makes him embarrassingly goofy, and I had a little hot Sake. I told him about how uncertain things are in the world right now. How, as we think things can't get worse, they do. And how afraid the world is right now. And yet like in any uncertainty and change there are still surprising things that happen. I knew he would have something to say to you. He's not a shy rabbit. And he puffs up with pride when I ask his opinion on matters of the human heart. 

Dakota's advice for 09:

• Sometimes you just have to sleep in the toilet, if for no other reason than to have a 'pocket of place' in the world--a room of your own. This will comfort you greatly I promise. Unless you have cold cement a toilet like Niya, then I recommend you re-design it to be like mine, otherwise it could hurt.   

• Don't worry too much about change. You will still get older and need the same things, no matter what. A warm pillow to sleep on, a warm coat to keep you warm, a warm bunny to cuddle with. Focus on those things. Don't worry about anything extra. Extra's come, extra's go. 

• Make sure people know you, the things you like. They will give you more of it. 

• Don't worry about being perfect or even hitting your litter box just right. Your people will forgive you and you simply can't be stressed over minor things like that. Life is to be loved and litter boxes often don't act right.  

• In fact, don't be perfect at all. To be perfect is be alone. Life is messy! 

• Keep both eyes wide open, trust everyone you can, and those you can't, run fast. If they are trustworthy they will make it known over time with consistent action. But still keep both eyes open. IF you can get eyes on the side of your head, you should, it's more effective.  

• Have fun at night. Nap in the day. You won't need therapy at all if you do it this way.

• Make sure you keep lots of carrot juice/happy juice in the house. That way everything can go wrong but you are still alright.  

• Love is the thing. Love is the thing. And carrot juice. And that's about all I have to say.   

• • •

Well, I have nothing to add to this except, thank you Mr. Dakota. And, will you at least TRY to use the litter box properly?  

Comments

[Mz. Niya]

About the tour.
I know. I keep asking him to. But then he becomes really high maintenance. He wants a MAN-icure. He wants Caila to come too. He wants extra treats. He wants me all to himself...
He gets ridiculous.
But I'm working on it.

[Liz]

when's the bunny going on tour?

[Susan Flint Rajkumar]

Ahh ... yes. Thank you for the humor. Dakota teaches simplicity--he ought to go on tour with this message--at a poignant time. Very nice, Niya.

[cheryl weiant]

You are hilarious, I sure needed that laugh today...
thank you, I in fact think your brilliant, and there is absolutely no prejudice or bias in that statement either.

Love you,
cheryl ....AKA Mom

[David Leikam]

Marvelous writing Niya with a quart of carrot juice by your side in a glass bottle, chilled and a toilet to sleep in on occasions (just after cleaning day) ... thank you oh wise Dakota!