August 20, 2009
While they were at the Moreland site attempting to capture some of the rabbits living there, a group of Haven volunteers witnessed a hawk grabbing a small domestic rabbit in its talons and attempting to fly off with the baby. The Haven people quickly scared off the hawk, and it dropped the baby. She was immediately rescued, given food, flea medications and a safe place to stay, and was then taken into The Haven as a rescue. She was just one of many rabbits that have been saved from this place, but his story tells much about what was happening at Moreland. Here is her story.

A letter from Hawkeye

I remember that I was starving and so scared. I waited and waited for mom, but she did not come home. I gave up looking for my mommy, because she had been gone for so many days- we had not eaten and had our mom for too long. So, I finally had to leave our nest area and venture out to see if I could find her. My sister was way too frightened so she stayed behind. I told her I would come back with food and Mommy.

I was so very quiet and looked all around – I left our safe nest to look for food. I had to do it, I was so very hungry, my tummy growled – I just wanted my mommy and milk too. I know, I know, mom said not to leave the nest, but I just couldn't stay in our house anymore – I was too hungry. I needed food. We were all out of the dry grass our mommy had brought in to line our nest. I had to try.

I really hopped as fast as I could – I did not see mommy anywhere and no food. There was a place that I could see with something green in it- I raced to it. I did not know where I was. I went in under a hole I found and I saw a bunch of food growing!! Oh this was good. Then a terrible thing happened.

Suddenly I hurt so much -- yowie, my head screamed with pain. Something big with feathers had grabbed my whole face and started to take me away. I was lifted off the ground. It hurt so much and it was so scary. I was going up, up and up so far off the ground. I was being flown higher and higher. Then someone down below started screaming and yelling at the bird that had attacked me. I did not know what to think. I could do nothing.

As I learned later, quick thinking Rabbit Haven volunteers (humans with no fur and little ears) weren’t going to let that hawk take me away. I am happy about that! – They told me what a hawk was too. So, The humans climbed up on the fence and yelled at the top of their lungs and tried to distract the hawk. The bird of prey was so startled, he dropped me and down, down, down I fell, head first back to Earth. I was so shocked. What had just happened? I did not know! Then they jumped over the fence and ran to help me. I like humans now.

I was so shocked, hurt and terrified that I didn’t move one bit – I was too scared and my eye & head hurt so much and I could not see! Then the humans quickly scooped me up and brought me into a place called assessment. I felt better as soon as I got there. I could feel that I was SAFE! It was a quiet place filled with comfort and love –I looked for my mom, she was not there. I was cared for by Cindy & Auntie Heather – they gave me food, and even a bit of medicine for my hurting head. I guess I had many injuries. My eye was punctured and then that hawk also made holes in my head and jaw with its long talons - Oh my!!!! They dressed my wounds and tried to find a veterinarian, but no one was available. So they gave me something for the pain, and then they gave me some milk. Yes!!! Milk at last!!! Now I think I am in bunny heaven. The milk wasn't as good as my mommy's milk, but for the first time in days my tummy no longer ached. That felt good! Ahh….

After getting a full belly of warm milk, the nice assessment people petted and snuggled me and told me how beautiful I was and that I was safe. I still have to see a vet, (what’s a vet/) and I have to take antibiotics to make sure I don't get an infection, but I truly believe everything will be okay. But I am worried about my sister, she is still waiting for me. Now I was sad but I fell asleep.

Then later that night I found myself with other rescued Moreland baby bunnies with Auntie Heather, and I even have a name, "Hawkeye" . They gave me this name so that no one forgets my fantastic rescue adventure.

I just had surgery and now I know what a Vet is – She was nice – You know what? Her name is Doctor Hawklyn. Isn’t that amazing? It’s OK, she is not a bird, she’s a human. She is nice. I feel better now.

Thank you for reading my story. And if you find my mommy, can I see her please? She is gold and white Dutch just like me and my sister. My sister was brought to me tonight. I am so happy! We are together, snuggled safe in our Oxbow wicker bungalow. We are safe, fed, warm and loved. We Still want to see mom though.

More later have to sleep now.

Love, Hawkeye